This exhibition took place on 3rd – 6th March 2022 in Havelock House, Belfast.
Bending Glass tells the story of master glass bender and neon sign maker Adrian McNevison of AM Light. This exhibition illuminated the former UTV studios with artworks made from light and archive footage from the UTV vaults. It has been carefully crafted by Johanna Leech in collaboration with Stuart Calvin. Explore these collections to experience the neon artworks made by AM Light with Michael Hanna, Stuart Calvin and Johanna Leech; neon crafted by Kevin Killen and Light boxes by Susan Hughes, writing by P.E.A Blair and GIF animation by Fionnuala Doran.
Explore the exhibition through the essay Welcome to Havelock House by P.E.A. Blair. This was originally a printed guide given to visitors. Click here for PDF.
Documentation below, further down is the short doc film video Bending Glass
CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE LARGER
Foyer with ‘Welcome to Havelock House’ archive filmExhibition guide written by P.E.A Blairold UTV foyerStudio 1Stuart Calvin N.D.EStuart Calvin N.D.EStuart Calvin N.D.EStuart Calvin N.D.EStuart Calvin N.D.E from raftersMichael Hanna, Compuders!Michael Hanna, Compuders!Michael Hanna, Compuders!Michael Hanna, Compuders!Michael Hanna, Compuders! Computer & UTV themed archive Kevin Killen’s neon, arranged by Chris McNevison & Johanna LeechKevin Killen’s neon, arranged by Chris McNevison & Johanna LeechKevin Killen’s neon, arranged by Chris McNevison & Johanna LeechKevin Killen’s neon, arranged by Chris McNevison & Johanna LeechKevin Killen’s neon, arranged by Chris McNevison & Johanna LeechKevin Killen’s neon, arranged by Chris McNevison & Johanna LeechArchive colour bars juxtaposed with Kevin Killen’s neon, by Johanna LeechKevin Killen’s neon viewed from raftersStudio 1Susan Hughes, light box viewed from Studio 1 in viewing platform aboveSusan Hughes, light box viewed from rafters in Studio 1Susan Hughes, light box viewed from viewing platform/roomJohanna Leech Guns & Gold, entering screening roomScreening room with Bending Glass film Johanna LeechJohanna LeechBending Glass film & Fionnuala Doran’s re-creation of Adrian’s favourite neonBending Glass film & Fionnuala Doran’s re-creation of Adrian’s favourite neonAM Light archival materialsAM Light archival materials, neon signAM Light archival materialsAM Light archival materialsAM Light archival materials, glass tubesAM Light archival materials, gas bottleUTV archival materialsUTV archival materialsFound UTV keysSusan HughesSusan HughesSusan HughesAM Light live neon demo – AdrianAM Light live neon demo – ChrisStudio 2 – ‘The Kelly Studio’ Stuart Calvin & Johanna LeechStudio 2 – ‘The Kelly Studio’ Stuart Calvin & Johanna LeechStudio 2 – ‘The Kelly Studio’ Stuart Calvin & Johanna LeechThe Kelly Show – UTV archive footageThe Kelly Show – UTV archive footage (Kelly neon in video)The Kelly Show – UTV archive footage (performer stage on video)The Kelly Show – UTV archive footageThe Kelly Show – homage to the Kelly neonStudio 2 – ‘The Kelly Studio’ Stuart Calvin & Johanna LeechStudio 2 – ‘The Kelly Studio’ Stuart Calvin & Johanna LeechStudio 2 – ‘The Kelly Studio’ Stuart Calvin & Johanna LeechStudio 2 – ‘The Kelly Studio’ Stuart Calvin & Johanna LeechStudio 2 – ‘The Kelly Studio’ viewed from backstageStudio 1 – ‘The Kelly Show’ signmissing recording light boxesJohanna Leech, archive screenshots
‘Bending Glass’ 16-min doc-film about Adrian McNevison’s neon making journey. Made by Stuart Calvin & Johanna Leech.
To see more archive you can see the footage we used in the exhibition here:
Bending Glass was commissioned by Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive with support from the Department for Communities. The UTV Archive in this exhibition is courtesy of the partnership project (ITV, Northern Ireland Screen and PRONI). The project was made possible with the provision of space from Flax Art Studios and support from Arts Council Northern Ireland. Special thanks to Adrian McNevison, Chris McNevison, everyone at AM Light and Flax Art Studios, Sinéad Bhreathnach-Cashell, Michael Hanna, Susan Hughes, Stuart Calvin, Kevin Killen, Paula Blair and Johanna Leech.
Johanna Leech 