What is Adain Avion?
In the summer of 2012, Blaenau Gwent and The General Offices at The Works will become host to Adain Avion, a travelling arts space made up of an abandoned DC9 aeroplane
Adain AVION is Wales's winner of Artists Taking the Lead, a project at the heart of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad and will feature in the London 2012 festival. The exciting project has been rated as one of the top 10 events and celebrations to look out for in the UK in 2012.
International artist Marc Rees is responsible for the extraordinary artwork that will travel across Wales, nesting in Swansea, Ebbw Vale, Llandudno and Llandow between 24th June and 11th August 2012.
On arrival at The General Offices, Ebbw Vale on July 1st, AVION will be processed into place by a large group of local people from local sports clubs, youth groups and community organisations. It will then host a programme of cultural activities reflecting the distinctive history and culture of the area, involving contemporary artists and local communities. Watch this space for further information about the programme of activities and events during its week in Ebbw Vale.
What Events are taking Place?
Ghost Parade, Sunday 1 July (9.30pm)
A large scale, collaborative event by visual artist Stefhan Caddick, Ghost Parade marks the arrival of Adain Avion in Ebbw Vale, at dusk on 1st July 2012. The event involves outdoor projections, archival moving images and mass participation, with music by Ebbw Valley Brass. Part carnival, part surreal protest, Ghost Parade celebrates a decade of transition in Ebbw Vale, a collective endeavour which will take place 10 years, almost to the day, since the closure of the Steel Works, an occasion marked by the remaining workforce.
Ghost Parade Leaflet - How to get involved. 
World Premiere
Cold Rolling, Saturday 7 July (7pm)
Finnish choreographer Tanja Råman draws inspiration from the original architectural blue prints of the Ebbw Vale Steel Works and its metal-making processes to create an intricate new site-specific dance piece in which 10 dancers from Ballet Cymru respond to a live score sung by Ebbw Vale Male Voice Choir (which includes many former steel workers). Led by BAFTA-winning composer John Hardy, in collaboration with Electronic Music student Victoria Ashfield from The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, this brand new work will replicate the former works’ industrial soundscape. The choir will perform the piece live within the fuselage of the plane in synch with Råman’s dance piece.
coldrolling.wordpress.com
Owen Sheers: SMS Steel Men Stories, Mon 2, Weds 4, Thurs 5, Fri 6 (Mon 12.30pm-1.30pm, Wed & Thurs 3pm-4pm, Fri 3.30pm-4.30pm)
Wales Rugby Union Writer in Residence Owen Sheers collaborates with BAFTA-winning filmmaker Christopher Morris on a series of filmed portraits of characters associated with The Steel Men; the Ebbw Vale Rugby Club. The written material is by Sheers, based on interviews with the subjects. The project is in association with Newport Film School as part of Adain Addysg (the project’s Education wing).
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Full Schedule of Events |
Where and when is this all taking place?
Adain Avion will be in Ebbw Vale between the 1st and 7th July 2012. The address is: The General Offices, Steelworks Road, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6AA
How do I get involved?
If you or your community organisation would like to be involved in the activities surrounding the event, please contact The General Offices on 01495 356055, generaloffices@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
Further Information
For further information about this project visit www.adainavion.org or visit the The General Offices facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/thegeneraloffices
