Those Were The Decades: 1970s

A series of study days looking at five decades of Ikon’s history.

1970s: Politics and Protest
Saturday 14 June, 11am-9.30pm
Heritage Learning Space, Level 4, Library of Birmingham

11.00 – 12.00pm – illustrated talk
No future?: The Politics of Crisis in 1970s Britain
Dr. Chris Moores, Fellow in Modern British History at the University of Birmingham, discusses a ‘watershed decade’ in post-war British history. This illustrated talk explores the cultural politics of the 1970s and the multiple and often competing narratives of crisis which have dominated understandings of the period.

12.15 – 1.30pm – panel discussion
Ikon in the 1970s
Jonathan Watkins, Ikon Director, chairs a discussion with artist Ian Emes, Jeanette Koch, former Ikon Gallery Manager, and Simon Chapman, former Ikon Director.

1.30 – 2.30pm – lunch break
Food outlets are available in the Library

– opportunity to visit the exhibition
Daniel Meadows: Early Photographic Works
The Gallery, Level 3, Library of Birmingham
Daniel Meadows helped to spearhead the independent photography movement in the early 1970s, breaking with tradition and infusing the medium with new energy and ways of seeing. Between 1971 and 1987 he produced an astonishing record of urban society in Britain, working in a uniquely collaborative way through his interviews with, and writing about, his subjects.

2.30 – 3.30pm – illustrated talk
Popular Political Sexual Raw
“The 1960s’ sex, drugs and rock n’ roll haze saw the acoustic flip to the electric, fashioned flower-power into the Molotov cocktail … Even the anger changed its colour, from hardcore black to iridescent pink. Welcome to the 1970s…” Join Johnny Golding, Professor of Philosophy & Fine Art, Birmingham Institute of Art & Design and Director of the Centre for Fine Art Research (CFAR), for a little walk on the wild side. Music composition/DJ by Steve Kennedy.

3.45 – 5pm – illustrated talk
The Dark Side of the Moon
Artist Ian Emes discusses how his groundbreaking film French Windows (1972) established a style for subsequent Pink Floyd animations. His visual presentation includes clips from the band’s 1974 concert footage and previously unseen, unrealised storyboard sequences for The Dark Side of the Moon. Followed by a Q&A session with the artist.

6 – 7pm – screening
Motorcity Music Years: Birmingham Blues
Dir: Jonnie Turpie, 1992, 30 mins
Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham
This film features the rise of Glam Rock and Heavy Metal, when Slade, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest emerged from Birmingham and bands such as the Electric Light Orchestra, and Roy Wood’s Wizzard, introduced orchestral sounds to pop. Followed by a Q&A with film producer Roger Shannon and Jim Simpson, former Black Sabbath Manager and Director of Big Bear Music.

7.30 – 9.30pm – screening
Jubilee
Dir: Derek Jarman, 1978, 100 mins, cert. 18
Studio Theatre, Library of Birmingham
Filmed during the summer of 1977, the year of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, Jarman’s chaotic film plays with history and perfectly captures the violence and nihilistic swagger of Punk, portraying an England over-run by gangs of girl punks and thuggish police. Jubilee is remarkable for featuring early appearances by pop luminaries such as Adam Ant and Birmingham-born Toyah Wilcox. This event is organised in collaboration with Flatpack Film Festival.

Booking information

Day Passes (includes evening film screening): £15 and £12 concessions.
Evening Film Screening only (Jubilee): £7.50 and £5.50 concessions. Also available on the door (cash only).

Book online or call Ikon Shop on 0121 248 0711 (please provide full name, telephone number and email address at time of booking).

Those Were The Decades is organised in collaboration with Flatpack Film Festival, The Library of Birmingham, University of Birmingham and Writing West Midlands.

Future events:

Saturday 12 July
1980s: Anything Goes

Saturday 11 October
1990s: The March of Globalisation

Saturday 29 November
2000s: The Age of Turbulence