The Norwich Fringe Festival, now in its seventh year, features more than 100 artists showcasing their work including pop artist Colin Self and Zacron, designer of the famous Led Zeppelin III album cover. The annual arts fest is mixing rock and music into this year's show, with gigs at the Norwich Art Centre and the Waterfront as part of the Fringe's showcase of new music - which will celebrate the city's talent. "The Fringe is a platform for local artists, but what we try to do is get some bigger names," said event organiser Ian Johnson. "There's a weird synchronicity between art and music – it's always linked. Colin [Self, the festival's patron] made a good point in that all musicians are artists, it's a creative process. "We do get success in Norwich. There's a band this year called Pistolas from Norwich – who've won two categories in the Diesel - U-Music Awards. It's a huge thing to win that and we just don't trumpet success – but the Fringe will do that for them," he added. Fringe at the factory Hosted at the factory in Hall Road, former home to Bally shoes, the festival promises a showcase of work from local artists, curated with contributions from some of the UK's leading talent. The Fringe 2005 is as accessible and interactive as ever with something for everyone to take part in, including a poetry vending machine and the hat self-portrait competition. "We started at old Bally factory three years ago, when the theme was shoes. Last year we had bags and this year we're into hats - the context being that the work is a ghost of the factory's former industry. They used to make shoes and hats, now we make art," said event co-ordinator Marion Catlin.  | | Aurora by Barbara Leaney |
"The shoes and bags ideas over the last couple of years proved so popular that we've kept the same formula. "This year we're asking people to make a hat that represents something to do with their life. They make the hat, bring it along to the factory by the Saturday 1 October, then it will be judged and entered into the catwalk hat parade. "All the hats that are entered will be displayed on a big hat frame at the factory created by Helen Breach, this will then form an installation showing all the entries until they are judged," she added. La-de-da? Organisers of the Fringe are keen to point out that you don't have to be a serious art lover to enjoy the event. It's about taking part, coming to have a look-see and making up your own mind about what's on offer. "It's all about how you perceive it," said Ian Johnson. "You either like it or you don't. People can get la-de-da about things and in a way, that's why the factory is the perfect place to have the event. It's an ordinary place where you wouldn't expect to have art. People don't have to walk around and nod and scratch their chin. "I'm always surprised by the art we have at the factory. We just encourage people to participate and have a look. The great thing is a lot of the artists will be there showing people around so you can actually talk to the artists about why they did something," he added. Hands-on The Fringe encourages a hands-on approach to art, encapsulated by Nick Balls' giant installation of two plastic decahedrons.  | | Visitors explore Nick Ball's decahedron |
The work explores the diversity of negative space when viewed from all angles and visitors to the factory are invited to gently interact with the shapes, to move them on their axis and then re-observe what's not there! The festival also offers a number of free workshops throughout the two week event, including a giant knit-in with Biddy Rychnovsky, mask-making and drawing as part of the BBC's Big Draw 2005. Arts trail In addition to the art at the factory, work can be seen at more than 20 venues in Norwich as part of a visual arts trail that weaves its way through shops, offices, bars and other buildings in the city. The work on display includes an installation of mixed media by Julie Allen in the BBC reception area at The Forum, work by various artists can also be viewed at the Take 5 Cafe Bar in Tombland, The Granary in Bedford Street and the New Museum Of Contemporary Art in King Street. The Fringe opens on Saturday 24 September and runs until Sunday 9 October, 2005. For a detailed programme of events and venues in the art trail, visit the Fringe website. | 
