Liverpool Biennial 2014: The Best of the Rest

Macoto Murayama: Botech Compositions, Metal, Edge Hill Station

In 2013, Tokyo-based Macoto Murayama spent six months living and working at Metal’s space in Southend-on-Sea. The focus for his time there was the dissecting, recording and digital rendering of the UK’s indigenous flowers. Metal Edge Hill are exhibiting the resulting works which are rooted in the foundations of botanical illustration. The exhibition has a really comprehensive events schedule and will only be open to view during these times. Otherwise by appointment, see the website for further details.

Edge Hill Station is located on Tunnel Road, L7 6ND.

Walter Hugo & Zoniel: The Physical Possibility of Inspiring Imagination in the Mind of Somebody Living, High Park Street, Toxteth

Part of the Biennial festival fringe, Hugo and Zoniel have installed a giant tank in a derelict shop window on High Park Street, Toxteth, filled with jellyfish – and who does not like a good jellyfish? The installation is closed during the day but at night the shutters are opened up to reveal the 20 illuminated jellies. This is also being beamed live to the window of Gazelli Art House in London. Weird, but fun.

Jesse Wine and Glen Pudvine: Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs, Cactus Gallery

Two damn good artists in one very promising art space. We don’t know what it’s going to look like, we’re already singing the Frasier theme tune, we think it’s going to be GOOD! (Or else scrambled eggs all over my face…) 

Cactus Gallery is located in the Royal Standard complex in the Vauxhall Business Centre, L3 6NB. Open Fri and Sun 11am-5pm or by appointment.

Rob Chavasse: Ghostie/Sam Smith: Frames of Reference/Joey Holder: Hydrozoan, The Royal Standard

The Royal Standard have three consecutive solo exhibitions lined up for the Biennial programme this year. First up is Peckham-based Rob Chavasse (head to the website now for ambient roller-blading and pleasing computer-GIF sports cars). Expect immersive environments, installations and audio. Next up is Sam Smith in August exploring the relationship between sculpture and film and video, and in late September comes Joey Holder and thoughts on nature, food webs and the artificial vs the natural. Busy but exciting programme. Head to the website for dates and further info.

The Royal Standard is located in the Vauxhall Business Centre, L3 6NB. Open Fri-Sun, 12pm-5pm.

Bogdan Rata, St George’s Hall

At 3.5 metres tall, Bogdan Rata’s new sculpture, The Middle Way, will be installed outside St George’s Hall throughout the Biennial. Rata reproduces anatomical parts such as ears, hands or toes in a kind of hybrid realism in bright colours applied to polystyrene, polyester and metal.