Today's events in Bury

The starting point for German artist Werner Fohrer’s paintings is the visible reality of the natural world. Recently his landscapes show his immediate surroundings: forests in a hilly country with its typical trees and streams, shown in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

In contrast to landscapes painted two hundred years ago as part of traditional German Romanticism, Fohrer’s pictures are not combined sections of different scenery and don’t have any religious meanings as in, for example, in the work of Caspar David Friedrich (1774 - 1840). Fohrer’s subject is a new interpretation of landscape, which could be named New German Romanticism. He examines the point at which nature disguises and obliterates the evidence of man’s use, or misuse, of the landscape. Man’s interventions are shown being overwhelmed by the unstoppable fecundity of the natural world.

Fohrer’s work suggests that there may be a point at which all evidence of man’s existence may be no longer discernible. This process re-defines ‘Romanticism’ in a modern way.

Art workshops exploring a range of themes, using a variety of media. The activities are free, but booking is necessary. Suitable for children aged 4-12 years.

This week: Clever Cutouts

Between 19 July and 1 August face painters will be on the market to provide an extra treat for children shopping in Bury with their parents or carers during the summer holidays and will help ensure that the trip to the market is full of summer holiday fun.

This exhibition explores society’s 21st century obsession with the use of CCTV, mobile phone tracking and government databases all of which hold personal information about us.

It looks at the 19th century artistic ideas of the artist and his model, at the artist as voyeur, at we the watchers and the watched. It features a titillation booth-
‘What the Butler Saw’ - popular at the time on seaside promenades, and objects from the museum’s permanent collection that convey the intrigues of a person’s private and intimate personal life.

Society’s fascination with celebrity culture, the Big Brother TV Programme, on-line diaries etc will also feature. This exhibition asks who’s watching you?

Students of art classes run by the adult education service have been inspired by the Bury Art Gallery building and collections in contains. A panel of judges has looked closely at their work on the theme of 'inspired by' and the artwork that has been selected echoes the variety of collections.

Come along to The Fusilier Museum to see a new exhibition on the recent experiences of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in Afghanistan.

The British Army’s present involvement in Afghanistan is called Operation Herrick (OP HERRICK). The 2nd Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (2RRF) has been involved in this Operation since 2006, when they assumed the role of Theatre Reserve Battalion. A Company were sent into Nowzad in July 2006, where they spent 107 days in contact with the Taliban. C Company were deployed to Sangin in March 2007. In their first 20 days there, they were attacked 79 times. B Company deployed to Kabul as the Force Protection Company in January 2007. Fire Support Company relieved B Company and took over for the second half of the year.

Between March and October 2009, most of the Battalion were deployed in Musa Qaleh. This exhibition tells the story of the Battalion’s experiences, and the text and images have all come direct from the 2nd Battalion’s Press Office. Collections Access Officer Helen Castle said ‘It has been extremely important to the museum to have worked directly with the 2nd Battalion to put this exhibition together. It is an ideal chance to have an exhibition on history that has just happened.’ The exhibition runs until the 26 of September. Normal museum admission applies.

Bury Art Gallery and Museum cares for a large collection of paintings and objects which have different storage and display needs. Inevitably, fragile objects deteriorate with the passage of time, even if they are being well cared for.

This exhibition is a chance to see some items that have been recently conserved, shown alongside examples that are still awaiting their turn. A private individual has funded the conservation of ‘A Gipsy Encampment’ by Leghe Suthers.

This exhibition brings the spirit of the decade back to life, showcasing some of Bury’s iconic 1950’s objects. From Pilkington Pottery by designers such as Mitzi Cunliffe and William Barnes to popular wire magazine racks and Homemaker plates. A royal blue velvet cape worn by a Radcliffe May Queen to celebrate the 1951 exhibition gives this 1950’s tableau a truly local flavour.

Amidst a series of famines, plagues and wars, the 14th century was also a time of great progress, with the onset of the Renaissance period. There were new military developments and the introduction of new siege weaponary would have a huge impact on the architectural structure of fortifications.

One such fortified home was Bury Castle, held by Sir Thomas Pilkington in 1469. Recently uncovered in 1973 by Bury Archaeological Group it shows how Bury's rich history pre-dates that of the industrial Revolution