Mis Gorffenaf is the end of summer, and it is also the end of Utopias Bach’s year of Arts Council Wales funding. To reflect on and celebrate what this means, we held our ‘Deconstructed Conference’ at Plas Bodfa (see below) and went out into the wider world @ Gwyl Draig Beats.

The good news (we think) is that we decided that Utopias Bach isn’t stopping! At the end of July we will be returning to our ‘unfunded’ selves, as we were for the first six months of Utopias Bach. And we have started to think of ourselves (thanks to Lisa Hudson for the idea) as a collective. We don’t yet know what that means, but there are things already afoot:

• a period of consolidation and reflection

• continued monthly Collaboratory meetings, including an exciting Collaboratory in two parts in July in which we reimagine the art gallery online (20 July) and at Oriel Brondanw (23 July)

• Experiments such as Cathedral of the Trees, TEXTure and Merched y Tir will continue

• A collaborative residency at Oriel Mostyn in August

We warmly welcome involvement in all these activities, shaping collectively what Utopias Bach is becoming…

Ar gyfer eich dyddiadur - For your diary

July Collaboratory Mis Gorfennaf - Ailddychmygu’r Oriel: Reimagining the Gallery

Dydd Mercher Wednesday 20.7.22: Zoom (11-12.30): The future of Utopias Bach, socially engaged art and art galleries. This collaboratory will be a space to reflect together on what we’ve learnt in Utopias Bach, ideas for the future and how all this relates to the future of art galleries.. and perhaps how Utopias Bach might work with them.

Dydd Sadwrn Saturday 23.7.22: Oriel Brondanw, Llanfrothen, Penrhyndeudraeth LL48 6SW (11 - 14:00)

Gwahoddir chi i Oriel Brondanw i ailddychmygu’r oriel / tŷ yma fel petai chi’n byw yma, neu fel petai’r tŷ yn berson, neu fel petai croeso i bob math o fodau ymweld ac ymgartrefu yma.  Cyfle i ailystyried beth yw pwrpas a rôl lle fel hyn.  Cyfle i fwynhau cacen, paned, gwisgo i fynnu, cambihafio, creu, a chael gweledigaeth o isymwybod Plas Brondanw. 

You are invited to Oriel Brondanw to re-imagine this gallery / house as if you lived here, or as if the house was a person, or that all types of beings were welcome to visit and settle here. An opportunity to rethink the purpose and role of such a place. Enjoy a cake, a cup of tea, dress up, misbehave, create, and have a vision from the subconscious of Plas Brondanw.

Collaborative residency at Oriel Mostyn

Utopias Bach & Cwrdd â Mi Wrth yr Afon, exploring processes that aim to foster deeper connections that bring together the human and more-than-human. August 4,12,18,25. Mwy o Fanylion

Metaboliaeth

A weekend of small-scale, live art events in and around the Bangor area. The festival will be part of the AHRC and Bangor University research project ‘Reimagining the Live Event.’ and follows on from the Surrealist Saffaru 2020 and Metamorffosis Festival 2021. It is being organised by Sarah Pogoda and Lisa Hudson. CALL FOR PROPOSALS: If you are interested in being involved this year, please contact Lisa Hudson.

Penwythnos Utopias Bach Weekend

We are trying to bring together some of the results of our June events - our Deconstructed Conference at Plas Bodfa and our ‘Creative Connections’ at Draig Beats. Take a look at the results here.

If you have anything you’d like to add (text, images, video, sound) please get in touch! We may have a little funding we can put towards your time if you would like to help with the documentation.