The first design for a series of 26 public art posters to be sited around Lichfield has been revealed. The poster series will highlight an A-Z history of art in the 20th Century through depicting some of the most significant movements, artists and artworks produced, but with a twist. Each piece being reworked to have a link to Lichfield itself.

The first poster links to one of the centuries most important figures - Joseph Kosuth, who is regarded as one of the first conceptual artists. The poster, is literally a definition of the word poster, which echos the early work of Kosuth. Through the use of the definition of a words various incarnations, the artwork itself if formed, depicting a conceptual picture of what a specific word is.

The choice of a work relating to the legacy of Kosuth as a the first image of the series has been chosen as it is an obvious link to the history of the city and its most famous son Samuel Johnson, whose use of illustrative poetic quotations helped inform the manner in which he approached the construction of his Dictionary of the English Language.

To find out more about Kosuth please click here. (This is an external site not affiliated to 52 weeks of art).

The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum opened its door for the general public to get involved in the creation of artwork for the September Samuel Johnson Tercentenary Son et Lumiere. Over 140 people came to the museum on Saturday the 25th July. Artists Peter Walker, Andy McKeown and David Harper were on hand to help individuals contribute to the project in a number of ways. Another 50 people added their faces to the increasing collection of face of lichfield for a project called Wordplay which will be previewed on the Son et Lumiere weekend. Approximately 1000 faces of people from in and around the city have already been collected. Composer and sound artist David Harper invited people to contribute poems, phrases and word definitions towards aspects of the sound for the September event.

Andy McKeown also revealed for the first time a fantastic interactive projection artwork which will be featured on the 18th and 19th. The work allows individuals to contribute to an interactive collection of words and definitions which will form a constant stream of visual text on the Market Street facade of the Birthplace.

Bring along your own word and definition on the 18th and you can join in this expanding artwork - developing Lichfields own dictionary for 2009 live on Johnsons 300th Birthday. The event begins at around 7.30pm on both the 18th and 19th of September. More information soon.

The first of 26 large public art posters, which will be appearing around Lichfield over the coming monthes have gone into production. The posters will tell the story of modern art history through the adaptation of specific art styles based around a Lichfield theme. Of the first four posters one is a reworking of a portrait of Samuel Johnson in the style of Andy Warhol whilst another will depict David Garrick in the style of Banksy.

Have you ever thought you’d like to design a piece of public art, get involved in research and learn how designs evolve? If so, then now’s your chance. As part of the development of a monumental sculpture to Erasmus Darwin, one of Lichfield’s most famous figures, an opportunity has arisen for members of the general public to be involved in designing the artwork right from the very start. Erasmus Darwin House will be holding free workshops between October 26th-30th where you can work with sculptor Peter Walker a.r.b.s, on the development of the monument design.

How can you get involved?

Simply write why you would like to be involved and you could find yourself working alongside the artist this summer, researching, drawing, collecting images and thoughts and even designing your own model of what you think the sculpture might look like which will be exhibited to the public to view later this year. No previous skills are necessary, just an interest and a commitment to attend the workshop project, you don’t even have to have drawn a picture before. Did you go to art college when you were younger and never got the opportunity to become an artist, are you are a young artist about to go to university and want to gain experience, do you have an interest in art and want to get involved; or are you just interested in how the local area develops.

The statue is to be sited on Beacon Park, in the plans for the newly renovated park scheme. Subject to funding, this monumental bronze artwork will last forever as a testament to Erasmus Darwin. And what’s more, those involved in the workshop project will have their names cast in bronze upon the sculpture forever.

Anyone over 16 may apply, there are no upper age limits – however those under 18 would require a note of permission from the guardian.

The workshops have been funded by a grant from Staffordshire County Council Development Fund. The workshops are free but there are limited places.

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2nd July

Andy Mckeown and David Harper have begun recording and photographing the Samuel Johnson Birthplaces collection of original artifacts. Sound recordings was kindly undertaken by councillors including the mayor and by local actor and writer David Titley.