Catalyst 11 - 'Fill The Gap'

Over the past two years Catalyst has been working with the dynamics of the brain. Our landmark exhibition 'MESSENGER' 2004 allowed the artists and scientists within the group to explore the mysteries of the brain and it’s science.
 
"Fill the Gap" is a extension to our enquiry into the brain. In the words of Dr.S J Allen, "It is dedicated to all those who suffer with Alzheimer’s disease and to the people who care for them".
 
Alois Alzheimer was a notable German psychiatrist and pathologist who in 1907 published the first case history of a 51 year old woman with dementia. Later the disease was named after him.
 
This year Catalyst has focus it’s attention on a particular element of brain - namely, it’s degeneration known as Alzheimer’s Disease.
 
As artists we have enlisted the help of Dr. Shelley Allen, a Senior Consultant specialising in Alzheimer’s disease at Bristol Royal Infirmary. The scientific side of the project has manifested itself in the form of seminars and a group visit to Dr. Allen’s laboratory in Bristol. As part of our research, Dr. Allen prepared a booklet, which has given us many guidelines into understanding the mechanics which lie behind the scientific theories, which will hopefully, one day, lead to a cure for the disease. However, as artists, our agenda is quite different, we are essentially observer sand interpreters. Suffice it to say, a number of group members have first hand experience, having seen relatives suffer with the disease. Others have friends and acquaintances , who each have their own account of relatives who are at different stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Additional research has be gathered from audio tapes, books and through documentaries on the disease. Our personal conclusions are documented in the catalogue and visualised in the exhibition. Some encounters are very moving.

Catalyst - "Fill the Gap" Workshops

YOU AND YOUR BODY - ONE OF A KIND
(Workshop leaders Jane Kilford and Jenni Catlow)
 
Children’s workshop - Portsmouths Central Library. Saturday 5th March. This workshop is in two parts with morning and afternoon sessions.
 
"Lets make a great life size cardboard cut out. Using a collage technique we will cover it with coloured images of parts of the body to show how truly original we are."
 
Materials - Collage and Drawing to develop ideas. Workshop aimed at 8 – 12 year olds.
 
COLOUR IN MIND
(Workshop leaders Anna Dumitriu and Theresa Sundt)
 
Adult workshop - Oxmarket Centre of Arts,
St. Andrews Court, Off East Srteet,
Chichester, PO19 1YH
Telephone 01243 779103
Booking is essential.
 
A one day workshop looking at the way in which colour is perceived by the brain, discussing a range of scientific research with particulat focus on how colour perception changes with age and in cases of Alzheimer’s disease. We will also look at ways in which colour and light can be used as therapeutic tools.
 
 
 

Sally Haynes	Nina Hartley	Lindsey Green
Anne Shaw	Adele Garkida	Jane Kilford