GREGNIK (PROTO 1) by Gregory Green

Gregory Green's Gregnik (Proto 1) is an innovative new public art
project involving the construction of a fully functional prototype
communications satellite modelled on the former USSR's Sputnik. Green is
an American performance and installation artist who in 1996 has recently
received national media attention in the UK, following exhibitions at
the Saatchi Gallery in London of his home-made bombs and ballistic
units.

Green will work as artist in residence from November 18-22 in the Meadow
Well Community Centre, situated on the outskirts of Newcastle upon Tyne
in the north east of England. The residents of the Meadow Well, an
estate which still bears the marks of economic neglect which contributed
to the riots of 1992, will be encouraged to submit audio anecdotes about
their immediate community. These oral stories will then be transmitted
by the Gregnik satellite over a three day period (November 25-27) from
an urban transmission point in Newcastle upon Tyne covering a five mile
radius.

The basic intent of the project is to repeat the former USSR's Sputnik
programme on an independent and alternative level, with the hope of
producing a similar reexamination of the roles and relationships of the
state, the individual and technology in contemporary global society.
Collaborative research and fabrication of the satellite will take place
both in the United States and Britain. The public forum will explore
financial, practical and conceptual issues relevant to both this stage
(known as Proto 1) and future plans for the project (the artist intends
to eventually launch the satellite in low level short term orbit above
the northern hemisphere).

The artist will premiere the project with a lecture presented at the
North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, Neville
Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SE at 4.15 on November 16. Booking
required +44 (0)191 226 0093.

In addition, Locus+ are co-publishing, with the Cabinet Gallery, Gregory
Green's first catalogue - Manual Two.

The book launch will take place in Quills, 18 Nunn Street, Newcastle
upon Tyne NE1 5AQ. 7 - 9 pm on November 16.

1:3 scale maquettes of PROTO 1 are available in a limited edition
through Locus+ in the UK and the Max Protetch Gallery in New York.

For further details on all the above contact Jon Bewley or Simon Herbert
@ L+.

Locus+ is an arts organisation based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
that develops new strategies with visual artists for different contexts
and across formats.