Sputnik has landed (From Your Local Guardian)

Sputnik has landed in Croydon's Clocktower Arts Centre

1:48pm Wednesday 9th February 2011 in Exhibitions By Helen Barnes

Sputnik has landed - in Croydon.

The giant kinetic sculpture has been created from a woman’s dreams.

It is a machine that when a traveller’s body is fused with it in the right place and the right time, will take the, on a journey to reach their heart’s desire.

It playfully riffs on the themes of time, ships, travel, the union of flesh and steel and the constancy of human hopes and dreams.

A show exploring these themes will be performed by dancer and aerial artist Claire Cunnningham and choreographer Mish Weaver, with music by Leigh Stirling.

Created by Eduard Bersudsky and the Sharmanka team, in collaboration with Fittings Multimedia Artists, it is the final part of the Clocktower’s Subject to Change project, which has brought the courtyard to life through a series of art works.

Now you can join the adventure with the next traveller - artist Dave ‘Stickman’ Higgins - for some creative storytelling workshops which will take their inspiration from the machine.

Participants will create their own stories about their imaginative involvement and journey on Sputnik.

Oliver Tipper, from Clocktower Arts, said: “This is really going to be something to behold.

“It’s our version of Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall and I think it’s not too far gone to mention the two in the same sentence.

“This is the last in our very successful artists in residence programme here at the Clocktower and certanly our most ambitious and visually impressive project yet, a living, moving, mechanical sculpture. It’s going to be mindblowing.”

Sputnik, Clocktower Arts Centre, Katharine Street, until February 28, free. Call 020 8253 1030 or visit croydonclocktower.org.uk. To take part in the workshops call 020 8760 5707 or email jenny.gunston@croydon.gov.uk