Animal Architecture Film at Wolverhampton Art Gallery
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Nostalgic movie chronicles Dudley Zoo restoration
A 1950s-style film about Dudley Zoo featuring the voice of Black Country comedian and actor Lenny Henry is being screened at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
Animal Architecture tells the story of Dudley Zoo and the restoration of its animal enclosures which were designed in 1937 by Modernist architect Berthold Lubetkin.
Artist and writer Adam Kossoff, a Reader in the Moving Image at the University of Wolverhampton's Faculty of Arts, is screening his film at the Lichfield Street gallery until September 19, 2015.
The Arts Council of England-funded movie, narrated by Dudley-born comedian and actor Lenny Henry, who received a knighthood in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list, was compiled during the restoration of the zoo's entrance and bear ravine in 2014.
Adam Kossoff says: "Animal Architecture was filmed on a wind-up 16mm Bolex Camera, capturing the everyday, poetic atmosphere of the zoo. It emulates the black and white documentary style of the 1950's 'Free Cinema' movement.
"I filmed it during the restoration of the entrance and the bear ravine to show how modernist design gave as much importance to the architecture of the enclosures as it did to the welfare of the animals.
"Lenny Henry narrates the film which also looks at the relationship between humans and animals and emphasises the zoo's atmosphere and its importance as a leisure and cultural attraction for local people."
Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for economy, adds: "I hope people who love animals, architecture and film, or who just want to evoke memories of Dudley Zoo, will come and take a look at the film.
"Visitors to our gallery this summer should get a real flavour of the Black Country with Animal Architecture in one gallery space and in another Magnum photographer Martin Parr's huge wall of 400 photographs showing Wolverhampton and Black Country people in his Black Country Stories exhibition."
Animal Architecture tells the story of Dudley Zoo and the restoration of its animal enclosures which were designed in 1937 by Modernist architect Berthold Lubetkin.
Entrance: Animal Architecture is filmed 1950s-style
Artist and writer Adam Kossoff, a Reader in the Moving Image at the University of Wolverhampton's Faculty of Arts, is screening his film at the Lichfield Street gallery until September 19, 2015.
The Arts Council of England-funded movie, narrated by Dudley-born comedian and actor Lenny Henry, who received a knighthood in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list, was compiled during the restoration of the zoo's entrance and bear ravine in 2014.
Zoo Quest: Family day out at Dudley Zoo
"I filmed it during the restoration of the entrance and the bear ravine to show how modernist design gave as much importance to the architecture of the enclosures as it did to the welfare of the animals.
Narrator: Lenny Henry, seen here in the 2013 play Fences
"Lenny Henry narrates the film which also looks at the relationship between humans and animals and emphasises the zoo's atmosphere and its importance as a leisure and cultural attraction for local people."
Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for economy, adds: "I hope people who love animals, architecture and film, or who just want to evoke memories of Dudley Zoo, will come and take a look at the film.
Brutalist: Parts of Dudley Zoo were designed by Modernist architect Berthold Lubetkin
"Visitors to our gallery this summer should get a real flavour of the Black Country with Animal Architecture in one gallery space and in another Magnum photographer Martin Parr's huge wall of 400 photographs showing Wolverhampton and Black Country people in his Black Country Stories exhibition."
Why? Memories of Dudley Zoo
When: Until September 19, 2015
Phone: 01902 552055
Website: www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk
Where: Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Lichfield St, Wolverhampton WV1 1DU
Cost: Free
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