World Art Collections Exhibition
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

A special Sci-fi Night, as part of the Alien Nation exhibition season, will take place at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts on Wednesday 21 November from 7.15pm until 11pm. For one night only the Centre will be transformed into ‘the final frontier’ with music from the Lost Levels, Star Troopers and other characters from the Star Wars film roaming the building, as well as stunning video projections. People will also have chance to try their hand at some retro space invader computer games.

“This is the third event of this kind since we re-opened in 2006. They are always lots of fun and completely change the atmosphere of the gallery – people never cease to be amazed how the Centre can transform its spaces. The Alien Nation exhibition seemed the perfect opportunity to programme a sci-fi night and I’m sure lots of people will be very inventive and dress for the occasion”
– Charlotte Peel, Education and Events Officer, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.

On arrival people will spot a metre-high laser canon by the gallery entrance and will be able to take pictures of themselves in the Rebel Blockade Runner Passageway. Norwich and District Star Wars Club who have kindly provided the props, will be supporting the event by coming in Star Wars costume – visitors may even meet Chewbacca amongst the artworks!

People attending the event will have chance to ‘strut their stuff’ to electro-space punk and alien-funk from the Lost Levels. The Band were formed from the ashes of pop-punk / emo band Dreams of Silver and Grey and their sound has been described as being like ‘80s pop group Duran-Duran. The Lost Levels have been performing at venues across the UK (mostly recently in Oxford, Edinburgh and Nottingham) and have, very appropriately, recorded a games music EP.

The Sainsbury Centre will be transformed into ‘another galaxy’ for the evening with special effects by the Ingenieurs as well as other décor. The Ingenieurs will be projecting reactive visuals, live video feeds of visitors and film clips, on to the vast walls and windows of the Garden Restaurant at the east end of the Sainsbury Centre. They will also be creating a retro computer games lounge were people can try their hand at some of the old space invader games. The games will be projected on to the walls for everyone to see and will add to the atmosphere. The Ingenieurs is a collaboration between a musician / fine artist and a special effects / 3D artist, who focus on research and live visual performance.

Drinks will be available from the Moon Bar and ‘spacey snacks’ will also be available to purchase. The unique menu will include Rocket Fuel Spicy Tomato Soup with Mozzarella Meteors, Slice of Moon and Alien Pickle Sandwiches and Saturn Ring Bagels.

Sci-Fi Night is part of a series of events linked to the current special exhibition, Alien Nation. This major touring exhibition from the ICA and inIVA features twelve international contemporary artists and uses the theme of ‘sci-fi’ to explore ideas of ‘otherness’ and ‘difference’ in a vibrant and entertaining way. Alien Nation encompasses film, sculpture, photography, multi-media installations and 3-D painting. The show also includes a collection of original sci-fi film posters from the 1950s to the present day, courtesy of The Reel Poster Gallery. Entry to the Alien Nation exhibition is included between 7pm and 8pm.