Students collaborate with international artist on the Moor

19 May 2009

Students from the University of Sheffield joined critically acclaimed and widely exhibited artist, Nicolas Moulin, in a day of creative activity at the Moor in Sheffield last weekend (Saturday 16 May 2009).

Berlin-based artist Nicolas and a group of students from the University´s Departments of French, Town and Regional Planing and Architecture, worked together to create an exhibition in an empty bandstand located at the Moor in Sheffield´s city centre. The challenge was to come up with artistic inspiration to document the changing landscape of the Moor and engage with the notion of urban regeneration.

The event, sponsored by local Sheffield bar, The Lounge Bar, was a great opportunity for students to venture beyond the University campus and interact with the city of Sheffield and the community of people, who live and work around the Moor.

Nicolas Moulin is currently artist in residence in the Universities Department of French, generously funded by the Leverhulme Trust. Whilst at the University Nicolas has worked alongside researchers and students and created a series of works inspired by his interest in Brutalist (raw concrete) architecture and the time he has spent walking with his camera around the streets of Sheffield.

Amanda Crawley Jackson, from the University´s Department of French, said: "It ´s a great opportunity for students to work in and think about areas like the Moor, which are in a period of great transition at the moment. It´s important for us all to know more about the projects which are going on in our city, the regeneration work which is happening and the directions which the city´s future is taking. The project was a fantastic opportunity to work with an artist of Nicolas´s calibre and experience and to be able to think creatively with him about such a current topic as urban regeneration."

Sandra Barley, Centre Liaison Manager at the Moor, said: "It is great that the students have been involved in a day of regeneration activities. It has given them a chance to appreciate the local area they are studying in and learn more about it. Nicolas´s interest in Brutalist architecture really interested the students and showed them how much more there is to architecture in the local area."

Notes for Editors: Nicolas Moulin is an internationally renowned artist who has recently been shortlisted for the Prix Marcel Duchamp (a major prize awarded annually. Previous winners have included Thomas Hirschhorn and Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster). Nicolas has been working in Sheffield since February 2009 as artist in residence at the University, at the invitation of Amanda Crawley Jackson from the Department of French. During the residency, Nicolas has been involved in a series of seminars, reading groups and workshops with researchers and students from various departments of the University.

Nicolas will have an exhibition including works he has made during his time in Sheffield opening at Site Gallery on Friday June 12th.

For further information please contact: Catherine Milburn, Media Relations Officer on 0114 2225339 or email C.L.Milburn@sheffield.ac.uk