Back on the Road

ICA, London
Wednesday 16 May 2007
6.30pm - 7.30pm Free
8.30pm - 9.30pm Free
Places are limited, meet in ICA Foyer

Ikon Gallery, Birmingham
Saturday 2 June 2007
12pm - 5pm Free
Places are limited, please book in advance on 0121 224 8084

Dear Steering Committee,

Clunk Click. The Long and Winding Road steps up another gear as it enters the final leg of its four year journey from Nottingham to Liverpool. So far the car project has had a number of slip roads.

It started in 2004 with a journey from Nottingham to Liverpool in a graffiti covered car packed with items wrapped up in brown paper and string. In 2005, I made a film of the journey - shown at festivals in the UK and Germany. In 2006, I was invited to exhibit the items at Nottingham's Surface Gallery and the Hinterland Festival commissioned an installation by the banks of the River Trent. In 2008 I plan to drive the car and everything in it into the River Mersey. Watch this space.

This year I have been commissioned to create a one-on-one performance at the Ikon Gallery for the Fierce! Festival in Birmingham in June and the performance has been selected to appear at the ICA in London as part of the Accidental Festival in May. Yes steering committee. Welcome to the fast lane. Luckily I recently attended a Speed Awareness workshop.

The Long and Winding Road - A Scar History will see me sitting in the driver's seat offering passengers a travel sweet before telling them the reason for the journey. Scars are stories. Stories on your skin. Each of the scars on my body is linked to the car. I address guests via the rear view mirror and tell stories. The story of the project so far. A scar history. A car history.

So dates for your diary above if you live near London or Birmingham and would like to join me for a travel sweet. Safe driving. See you on The Long and Winding Road.

Michael
Driver
--