Revolutions 10–13

The English Underground

Richard Heslop, Marc Karlin, Derek Jarman

6 – 22 June 2013

This new exhibition draws together works from three strikingly independent filmmakers  key to the radical trajectory of the post-1976 English underground movement.

Connected by themes of left field personal politics, history and nationality, and marked by an intense visual sensibility, Richard Heslop, Marc Karlin and Derek Jarman developed both technically original and aesthetically radical. Of further significance is their shared background in collective and non-hierarchical working methods, and experimentation with video image manipulation and found material.

Week 1: Thu 06-Sat 09 June, 12-5pm daily
Richard Heslop

Seminal film and music video director, Heslop began his career operating a live multi-projection for British industrial/ post-punk band 23 Skidoo. Heslop has also worked as cinematographer for Derek Jarman and directed music videos for legendary bands including The Smiths, New Order, Happy Mondays, The Cure, and The Shaman.

Vivid Projects presents three films from Heslop’s body of work including ‘7 songs’ (1983) with the music of 23 Skidoo, ‘FU GI’, and his award-winning debut feature ‘The Child and The Saw’.

Week 2: Thu 13- Sat 15 June, 12-5pm daily
Marc Karlin

Described as one of the most significant unknown film-makers working in Britain during the past three decades, Karlin was a central figure in the radical avant-garde of the 1970s and made a major contribution to the shaping of Channel 4.

Vivid Projects presents a selection of his works alongside a one-off screening of Night Cleaners on Saturday 15 June at 2pm.

Week 3: Thu 20 – Sat 22 June, 12-5pm daily
Derek Jarman

Innovative, esteemed and controversial, Derek Jarman (1942 – 1994) produced works which were technically original, aesthetically radical and which constitute an astonishing personal and public record of England in the last quarter of the 20th century.

Vivid Projects presents three of Jarman’s works: ‘Pirate Tape’ [1983] featuring William S. Burroughs and FM Einheit and cut to a loop of Burrough’s voice with sound by Psychic TV: Genesis P-Orridge, Peter Christopherson (COIL), Geff Rushton, (COIL), Alex Fergusson (Alternative TV), John Gosling (Zos Kia) and Paula P-Orridge; and ‘TG: Psychic Rally in Heaven’ [1981], an experimental film featuring a 1980 performance by Throbbing Gristle.

Sat 23 Jun, 2pm (tickets £3 on the door)

Join us for a one off screening of Derek Jarman’s ‘The Last of England’ – a dark and personal meditation on England under the Thatcher-era of conservatism.

“Wrenchingly beautiful… one of the few commanding works of personal cinema in the late ’80s.” – The Village Voice

Vivid Projects, The English Underground, Jubilee, Derek Jarman, 1978