The new year brings a whole new set of activities here at Cornerhouse, as we launch our latest exhibition Jamie Shovlin: Hiker Meat on 17 Jan. An exploitation movie that never actually existed, Hiker Meat has been imagined by Shovlin as an archetype of this often maligned film style; having first produced a screenplay, soundtrack and cut-and-paste version from 1970s clips he’s now ‘re-made’ key sequences from his film that never was. Our exhibition captures the genesis and collaborative delivery of the project, bringing together props, costumes and memorabilia and culminating in an immersive audio visual installation.
The exhibition launches on 17 Jan and we get started a bit earlier than usual with an event with effects specialist Kev Thornton, Creature Close-up, at 17.30. Hear Kev talk about the B-movie monster he created for Hiker Meat and, if you’re one of the first 40 attendees, have a Polaroid-type image taken with the beast. You can then slip straight into our Hiker Meat exhibition preview from 18:00, where complimentary drinks will be served.
The opening weekend fun doesn’t stop there, and on 18 Jan you can join us for an exclusive Curator and Artist Tour of the exhibition with Jamie Shovlin and curator Sarah Perks (free, booking recommended). Later that afternoon we have a One Hour Intro explaining exactly what exploitation cinema is (15:00), which will set you up perfectly for our all-night Sleazeathon of good, bad and ugly 1970s flicks (from 21.00). And if your appetite for the down and dirty isn’t saited by the next morning join CP Lee for breakfast, as he reminds us of Manchester’s king of exploitation in Cliff Twemlow: The man, the myth, the magic.
Earlier in January we also launch our first Cornerhouse Project of the new year, Geoff Brokate, in the Café & Bar (9 Jan – 4 Feb, free). Australian photographer Brokate has travelled widely documenting the lives of the people he encounters, but now lives in the north west and has turned his camera on the English landscape. The result is a series of mysterious and inspiring visual poems; find out more by joining us and Geoff for the informal exhibition launch in the bar (18:00, 9 Jan).
Bringing our contemporary visual arts and film strands together, January sees the exciting launch of our ICA Artists’ Moving Image Network screenings. Each month you’ll be able to see new and rarely-seen artist film and video work in this series originated by the Institute of Contemporary Arts, which starts with a profile of Turner Prize-winning artist Laure Prouvost. Keep watching our website for the date and booking details.
Staying in our cinemas, we continue our plunge into film’s dark heart with specially curated Gothic films and events throughout January. Beginning with a new restoration of terrifying silent classic Nosferatu (5 & 8 Jan), The Gothic season continues with Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? accompanied by an interactive performance from Eggs Collective – Manchester’s all-female cabaret-quartet – on 12 Jan. And if interacting with the dark side is your thing don’t miss Scratch ‘n Sniff Cinema presents The Wicker Man: The Final Cut on 25 Jan, when you’ll be given a scratch card of ten specially selected aromas to accompany key scenes. Yes, including the last one…
January always brings a great set of new films too, and this year is no exception. Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave, the true story of a man’s fight for freedom in the pre-Civil War United States, opens on 10 Jan, with Scorsese’s tale of greed, power and excess, The Wolf of Wall Street, hot on its heels from 17 Jan. Potentially on a lighter note, directors Ethan and Joel Coen return on 24 Jan with Inside Llewyn Davis – depicting a week in the life of a hapless folk singer navigating the Greenwich Village folk scene in 1961. In the tradition of O Brother, Where Art Thou? the film is infused with the sound of that time and place, thanks to another Coens collaboration with Oscar- and Grammy-winning music producer T Bone Burnett.
So whether your new year’s resolution’s to see more art, film or artist film (and it’s one of those, we’re sure), we have plenty to keep you busy throughout the dark days of January – so get yourself in from the cold!