Clipping the Ikon

We are excited to announce Ikon is part of the Birmingham Light Festival!

Join us on Friday 21 February as we light up Ikon – with free creative workshops and performances during the day (2-5pm) and a candle-lit, ceremonial ‘clipping’ of Ikon Gallery as the sun sets (5-7pm).

Led by Birmingham-based Czech artist Tereza Bušková, Clipping the Ikon revives a centuries-old tradition in which ‘clipping’ means to form a human chain around a sacred building or place. Bušková’s Clipping the Church performance in 2016 brought Birmingham communities together to join hands around the Erdington church and community centre. A film documenting this performance is currently showing at Ikon Gallery.

Taking inspiration from both Czech and British folklore, workshops on the day include making bread sculptures and ceremonial lanterns which light up Oozells Square in Brindleyplace as visitors join a procession to encircle Ikon Gallery. Warming refreshments are available from Yorks Café, including traditional Czech recipes.

This event is presented as part of the Birmingham Light Festival 2025 and celebrates the final weekend of Ikon’s exhibition Friends in Love and War – L’Éloge des meilleur·es ennemi·es.

This exhibition is supported by the British Council and is presented as part of UK/France Spotlight on Culture 2024 Together We Imagine, with additional support from Fluxus Art Projects and Birmingham City University.