Unsettling Encounters: A Curious Histories Charity Fundraiser

We're back upstairs at Brighton's quirky East Street Tap with a tantalising double bill, featuring two unusual cultural history talks from Dr Fiona Ponikwer and Professor Annebella Pollen. I'm delighted to say that this event will raise funds for Lost Cats Brighton; more details on this terrific local charity below. Doors open at 7pm and we aim to finish around 9.30pm.

Our talks:

Avant-garde Ambassadors

What role has modern art played in international diplomacy? Can challenging contemporary art be used for global dialogue and debate? For nine decades, the British Council has exhibited British art and craft in over 100 countries as part of its cultural relations mission. Professor Annebella Pollen's talk brings to light some curious histories unearthed in the Council's archives.

For example, why were handcrafted teapots shipped at great risk across the wartime Atlantic? Why were David Hockney prints of naked men refused entry to 1960s Mexico? Why did curators in Iran want to display Damien Hirst’s crucifixion sculpture at the start of the millennium? And why was British folk art at the border of North Korea just as the country tested a hydrogen bomb?

Femme fatale: victim, vamp or vampire?

Who or what was the femme fatale of the late nineteenth century: innocent victim of Victorian patriarchal society, or harbinger of that society’s downfall? Dr Fiona Ponikwer explores contemporary portrayals in art and literature to provide some illuminating answers…

Our speakers:

Annebella Pollen is Professor of Visual and Material Culture at University of Brighton and the author of five books of art history. This talk draws from her most recent title, Art without Frontiers: The Story of the British Council, Visual Arts and a Changing World.

Fiona Ponikwer recently retired from the University of Brighton as a senior lecturer in the School of Applied Sciences, but she started her academic career in a very different area. This talk returns to her first passion and the subject of her doctorate: how vampirism as a metaphor in late 19th century art and literature reflects the fears and concerns of the time.

Our chosen charity:

All proceeds from ticket sales will go to help Lost Cats Brighton, a small team of dedicated volunteers which rescues unwanted and homeless cats in the Brighton and Hove area. The cats are fostered short-term in private homes prior to finding them a permanent home, or long-term if they are elderly with health issues. The team takes care of neutering, microchipping, vaccinations, and vet treatment for abandoned animals before finding them new homes. It also reunites lost cats with their families through its a free online 'Lost, Found & Reunited' register.

FAQs

How do I find out more about Curious Histories?

You can follow us here on eventbrite, or join our public facebook chat group.

How do I get to the East Street Tap?

It's towards the southern end of East Street, in the Lanes. On-street parking in the vicinity is very limited, but the NCP theatre car park on Church Street is reasonably close. Better still, all major city bus routes stop within a three-minute walk of the venue (alight at North Street). Brighton railway station is approximately a fifteen-minute walk from the pub.

What are the timings for the evening?

Doors will open at 7pm and the show will begin around 7.30pm. There will be a 15-20 minute interval between the talks and we aim to finish around 9.30pm.

What refreshments will be available?

Buy your drinks in the bar downstairs before the event and at the interval - you can bring them up to the show.

How does this Curious Histories event support good causes?

All profits from this event will be going to support Lost Cats Brighton.

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to attend the talks?

The event will be held in licensed premises, so sadly minimum age is 18.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, we will have a list of names on the door.

What if I've bought a ticket but am unable to come?

If you're not able to come, you are welcome to offer your ticket to someone else. If you can't give your ticket to another person, drop Curious Histories a line using the 'contact' button on this page - if the event is sold out we may be able to re-sell it for you.

Will latecomers be admitted?

We will start at approx. 7.30pm, but there will be some places reserved for latecomers.

Is there wheelchair access to the venue?

Unfortunately, the nature of the building makes wheelchair access to the upper floor of the pub impossible.

One of the artefacts discussed by Professor Pollen. Doc Rowe and Jill Pidd’s Burry Man, part of Jeremy Deller and Alan Kane’s Folk Archive: Contemporary Popular Art from the UK, 2005 © British Council Collection.