Take Shelter With Contemporary Artworks

Belsay Hall. Picture House: 5th May 30th September 2007 Belsay Hall. Picture House: 5th May 30th September 2007Escape the recent spate of wet weather at ground-breaking contemporary art exhibition Picture House, situated under the dry roof of Belsay Hall.

Combining a model railway, stunning silver ball gown and four thousand tea cups, there is something for everyone at Picture House. The fifteen new works of art were specially commissioned from a range of leading artists, film directors, thespians, musicians and fashion designers, including actress Tilda Swinton; film director, Mike Figgis; and fashion duo Victor and Rolf.

Picture House curator, Judith King, commented, “Belsay Hall is a great venue for people to visit - both on rainy and sunny days. Visitors are invited to spend a day in the inspiring setting of this picturesque hall, where they can enjoy unique installations by world class names. And if the sun does decide to shine from behind those dark clouds, visitors can enjoy an installation in the garden and also one in the castle.”

Picture House at Belsay - Viktor and Rolf Installation This exposition unveils work from a variety of top names and includes exciting collaborations from Oscar nominee Mike Figgis working with fashion duo Boudicca, Mercury Prize winner Antony Hegarty working with William Basinski and playwright and director John Byrne working with Tilda Swinton and their children.

Picture House is the fifth in a series of contemporary art exhibitions to be staged at Belsay. These exhibitions have established Belsay’s reputation as one of the North East’s most evocative and alluring historic properties, attracting media interest and visitors from around the world.

Picture House at Belsay - Geraldine Pilgrim Installation Picture House, Film, Art and Design at Belsay, is presented by English Heritage as part of its contemporary art programme in the North East, which is funded by Northern Rock Foundation and Arts Council England, North East. The Picture House exhibition is also being funded by Design Council England, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Heritage Lottery Fund, Northumberland Strategic Partnership and ONE NorthEast, and forms part of the North East England World Class Festival and Events programme and Dott 07 (Designs of the time 2007).

NOTES TO EDITORS

For regional media enquiries contact Virginia Lingstadt at MHW PR on (0191) 233 9534 or via virginia@mhwpr.co.uk.

• Picture House, Film, Art and Design at Belsay will be held at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Northumberland NE20 0DX from May 5 – Sept 30 2007. Opening times 10am – 5pm, daily
• Prices: Adults £8.50 / Concessions £6.40 / Children £4.20 / Family ticket £21.20. English Heritage members enter for free
• For more information please visit http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/belsayhall or call 01661 881636
• Picture House is curated by Judith King and includes three Dott 07 (Designs of the time 2007) commissions curated by Juha Huuskonen