Bill Drummond begins 12-year world tour at Eastside Projects, Birmingham

Bill Drummond raft bed with daffodils
An exhibition has opened in Birmingham which is then going on the longest-ever art world tour, ending back in Birmingham on 28 April 2025 – if the artist does not die beforehand, as the publicity materials dryly state.
Bill Drummond is 60, and his name to me and others of a certain age will always be synonymous with a bunch of KLF hit records of the late 1980s and early 1990s, 3am Eternal, Justified and Ancient and others from The White Room, classics of their time.
But Drummond’s life since then has become almost an eternal art performance, and this exhibition which stays in Birmingham until June 14 will see him taking part in many strange acts involving people around the city.


He arrived in Birmingham on a raft made from what was described as his bed, but looked like a fairly rough wooden frame. He then created a sculpture of 400 bunches of daffodils under Spaghetti junction and carried 40 bunches to the town hall, where he gave them away to complete strangers.
The exhibition opening at the Eastside Projects gallery in Heath Mill Lane, Birmingham, was a strange affair. It strikes me that Drummond is very keen on exercising control.
He decided that from January 2012 he was only going to do 25 more interviews for 25 different publications, with the journalists only allowed to ask four questions each – this is in the rest of his life, so no interviews at the opening, though he was happily chatting to many people.
He also wrote his own piece for the Birmingham Post explaining his interest in the city and in Spaghetti Junction in particular.
At the opening he clambered on to his work desk, in the middle of the exhibition, to welcome everyone and thank them from coming – and didn’t start until the last person had been dragged out of the bar to hear him!
Another item in the exhibition is a screen with Drummond giving his 60-second opinion on various topics which he’s been asked to appear on TV to talk about but has refused – again showing him controlling what he can say without any awkward questions. Though the films are quite entertaining.
The exhibition’s most striking part is the huge house of cards made up of his paintings – more realistically placards of one or more words, painted Bob and Roberta-Smith style – which is as high as the ceiling in this large industrial space.
The 25 Paintings describe the acts he will be carrying out while in Birmingham, and then in other cities around the world while the tour progresses, including Berlin, Guangzhou, Memphis, Kolkata and Port-au-Prince. At the opening while asking people not to knock it over, he said he couldn’t wait for it to be in another venue where he could do just that.
His workdesk has been set up in the gallery, and one wall shows more paintings, and The 60 Posters explain aspects of his life, past work and plans for this world tour.
Local residents can look forward to being cooked soup, as well as cakes, and being able to borrow his boots to walk a mile, and may already have heard him around the city in the guise of The Man Who Blows His Horn and The Man Who Bangs His Drum.
He will also be working in the gallery, painting or knitting squares, on various dates during the exhibition where visitors will be able to meet him and talk to him about his work – details on his website here http://www.penkilnburn.com/events/events.php
It’s Conceptual stuff with a capital C, and my companion at the opening felt the influence of Yoko Ono, or at least a similarity with her work. However, it’s also quite good fun, so dip in, go see it and become part of the work.

3,824 comments

  1. Hello there! This post couldn’t be written any better!
    Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He continually kept preaching about this. I will forward
    this article to him. Pretty sure he will have
    a great read. Many thanks for sharing!

    Like

  2. You have to write this things more.Generally there are a good amount of
    people that are suffering by difficulties like weight problems and extreme pounds
    in the present day. The main reason right behind this
    scenario is the busy life and irregular schedule due to which they are
    not able to pay correct consideration on their health and wellbeing.
    A lot of them don’t have possibly time for it to work out.
    To them, simplest way to keep healthy would be to begin the right health supplements.
    If you are looking toward to have useful and proven natural health
    supplement, African Mango will fulfill your requirements to much extent.
    The genuine extract of African Mango has been utilized as an powerful weight loss
    supplement.

    Like

  3. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of
    any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically
    tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for
    quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have
    some experience with something like this. Please let me
    know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog
    and I look forward to your new updates.

    Like

  4. I blog often and I really thank you for your information.
    This great article has really peaked my interest.
    I am going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new information
    about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.

    Like

  5. Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictures on this
    blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
    Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

    Like

  6. Howdy would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working
    with? I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but
    I’m having a hard time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and
    Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.
    P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!

    Like

  7. Just desire to say your article is as astonishing.
    The clearness on your post is simply great and that i can suppose you’re an expert on this subject.
    Well together with your permission let me to seize your feed to stay up
    to date with approaching post. Thanks one million and please
    carry on the gratifying work.

    Like

  8. I have been browsing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will
    be a lot more useful than ever before.

    Like

  9. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your weblog.
    You have some really great posts and I think I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
    Please blast me an e-mail if interested. Cheers!

    Like

  10. I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting
    article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me.
    Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you
    did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.

    Like

  11. You actսally maқe іt seem reallʏ easy toցether with үouг presentation ɦowever I to fiind this matter to be reɑlly оne thіng whiϲh I think I’d ոeνer understand.
    Ιt seеms tooo complex aոd extremely broad fߋr me.
    I’m hɑving a look forward in your subsequent submit,
    Ι will attempt to get the danngle ߋf it!

    Like

  12. Hey! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to look it over.
    I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
    Fantastic blog and brilliant style and design.

    Like

  13. Howdy! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone!
    Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts!
    Keep up the fantastic work!

    Like

  14. Рrеtty pardt of content. I simply stumbled upon youyr weblog andd in accession caplital
    to say tɦat I acquiгe actuɑlly enjoyed aсcouոt your weblog posts.
    Any way I wilol be subscribing on your augment or eѵеn I fulfillkment
    you geet right oߋf eոtrry to ϲοnstantly quickly.

    Like

  15. I’m really loving the theme/design of your blog.
    Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues?
    A number of my blog visitors have complained about my site not operating
    correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any recommendations to
    help fix this problem?

    Like

  16. Wonderful blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers?
    I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
    Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for
    a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m
    completely overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Bless you!

    Like

  17. Faith Hill encourages a man to say what he feels on his flowers card, so
    he says “nice rack”. A simple i – Phone ad until the punchline,
    in which Verizon guy says, “Yes, I can hear you NOW. Not providing a solution yourself means they have to think of one.

    Like

  18. Its like you learn my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, such as you wrote the guide in it or something.
    I feel that you just couild do with some % too force tthe messsge home a bit, however instead off that, this
    is wonderful blog. A fantastic read. I will definitely bbe back.

    Like

  19. which is well cushioned and allow their customers to sit for hours while
    enjoying smoking molasses together. The Bose Quiet – Comfort 15 can create the crisp and
    high-quality sound you are looking for in a headphone minus the noise around you if you
    are in a busy or noisy area. Check the prices online as
    well before buying it from the local store near your area.

    Like

  20. You’d probably want nothing less than a Norge treatment.
    Escort girls in Oslo are fresh, young, energetic and
    fascinating. You’ll find a girl age you prefer.
    Whenever you order because of these services, you will definately get an answer in actual
    time. Just plan for a great companion you’ve wanted to meet your entire life.
    Oslo won’t just offer intriquing, notable and excellent tourist
    hot spots but additionally hot girls to warm your heart.
    You will need a companion while you’re on a stop by at Norway, let Eskorte Jenter
    Oslo last, you can find enough professional girls for
    each visitor. Never imagine missing a lady on your fun in Oslo because they’re always there and capable to offer you company.

    Like

  21. Walking down the streets of Salt Lake City you’re likely to see something that you love and hate
    within a few minutes of each other. So here is
    a list of all the bosses you can fight for a chance at winning
    a pet on Wizard101. They were already impressed and called Gröna Lund a “kickass park”.

    Like

  22. I rarely drop comments, however i did a few searching and wound up here Bill
    Drummond begins 12-year world tour at Eastside Projects, Birmingham
    – Coventry Telegraph – Private View. And I actually do have
    2 questions for you if you don’t mind. Is it only me or does it appear like a few of
    these remarks look like coming from brain dead visitors?
    😛 And, if you are writing on additional places, I’d like to follow anything new you
    have to post. Would you list of the complete urls of all your shared sites like your Facebook page,
    twitter feed, or linkedin profile?

    Like

  23. What you ought to do is always to fill a web-based form.
    You may hear on the internet and start fretting about the
    confidentiality of the information. The corporation handles each of the orders
    with great confidentiality. Why will you love to utilize the escort services?
    Here are the answers to suit your needs.

    Like

  24. This design is spectacular! You most certainly know
    how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job.
    I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
    Too cool!

    Like

  25. Excellent post. I used to be checking continuously this weblog and I’m impressed!
    Extremely helpful info specially the closing section
    🙂 I care for such information much. I was seeking
    this certain information for a very long time.
    Thanks and best of luck.

    Like

Leave a reply to straighten natural hair before and after Cancel reply