Contemporary Art Society Announces New Partnership With Becks

The Contemporary Art Society is delighted to announce a major new
partnership with Becks, uniting their long-standing support for
contemporary artists.


Becks today launched Becks Fusions,
a unique art and music fusion project that will run throughout summer
2008 engaging artists, musicians, critics and the general public in the
largest scale project of its kind ever undertaken.

Visual art
collective United Visual Artists (UVA) and Massive Attack (one of only three UK performances this year) will headline the 2008 Becks Fusions event on Sat 6 September in Manchesters Castlefield Arena. For a chance to attend Becks Fusions register online at www.becks.co.uk


Keri Elmsly from UVA said:


"Lots
of our work involves bringing art and music together and as a
collective we're firm believers in the intrinsic relationship the two
have. This project is great because it really recognises this
and offers us the opportunity to present something really new and build
on our collaborative relationship with Massive Attack."


Becks have chosen Manchester as
the location for Fusions in 2008 to celebrate its place as one of
Britain's top cultural destinations. The inaugural year of the
Manchester International Festival in 2007 signalled Manchester as the
obvious choice to host this celebration of art and music.

A previous
home to Dpercussion and Britain's first urban heritage park, Castlefield Arena will offer an atmospheric backdrop for this unique event.
Becks are collaborating with the Contemporary Art Society,
Britain's national membership organisation promoting contemporary art. 
Together they will facilitate and enable artists and musicians to
create unique fusion performances in Manchester's Castlefield arena.
Further line-up details will be announced over the summer.


Paul Hobson, Director of the Contemporary Art Society said:

"We
are delighted to be working with Becks on this ground-breaking
project. We are celebrating our centenary next year, and its the
perfect way to start the celebrations early, with a partner who shares
our longstanding support and commitment to contemporary artists."

Louise Brown, Sponsorship Manager at Becks said:

"Working
with the Contemporary Art Society has given us the opportunity and
scope to engage with a wide selection of contemporary artists from
across the UK. The indispensable input made by the Contemporary Art
Society has helped shape the event's artistic focus, and will make a
valuable contribution to delivering what is gearing up to be an amazing
event in September."


Fabienne Nicholas, who will act as the curator on the programme said:

"Beck's
Fusions is going to provide an exciting programme of opportunities for
artists and the team at the Contemporary Art Society are really
looking forward to discovering and working with new artists and
bringing their work to life at the September event. Art and music...the
possibilities are endless!"

This year Becks
are introducing The Studio at becks.co.uk where the public can take
part online.

Fabienne Nicholas with John Squire, Peter Saville and
Francesca Gavin will form the Fusions panel who will judge all the
entries. For the lucky few selected artists, their work will form an
integral part of the final Fusions event in Manchester.


Key Event Information

Becks Fusions featuring UVA and Massive Attack

6 September 2008 at Castlefield Arena, Manchester

To attend Becks Fusions register online at www.becks.co.uk


For more information, interviews and images please contact the Becks Fusions press office:


Leroy Harris - 0141 204 6765 - Leroy@materialmc.co.uk


Anne McMeekin - 0141 227 8723 - anne@materialmc.co.uk