Wild and Free

I was interested in the conflict or ambiguity of the wilderness and the harnessing of nature by man; the windmills, the wild heron, the wealth and power held by Norwich and it's merchants in days gone by and the continual struggle between the land and sea's take over of the land.

So I am now a 'Lead National Designer', at least that was my job title for a recent commission I was selected for this summer...Carnival Cross Roads East Bound.
This project was chosen by LOCOG to represent the East of England’s and the carnival sector’s contribution to London 2012 Festival. It was funded by Arts Council England and Legacy Trust UK.

Led by UKCCA's Creative Director, Pax Nindi, and working with local partners across five hub towns, Carnival Crossroads East Bound brought together local carnival artists, community groups and schools with a team of five national designers, (one of which was me), to create a carnival showcase of the East of England and celebration for London 2012 Festival.
I'm still not sure why I was selected and I'm certainly not among the 'usual carnival suspects', I don't ship feathers in from all over the world, I never use sequins and I make carnival out of the most unconventional materials? All I can think is that Pax had an ulterior motive by bringing together such a diverse group of designers, perhaps an attempt to infiltrate the carnival world with a big dose of womblism?

I was given the job of designing up to 100 costumes to represent the people of Norwich, a place that I'd previously never even visited before.

But it turned out to be a fascinating exploration for me, into the stories, histories and characteristics of, what I realise now, is a very independent and quite rebellious region of the UK. From Boudicca to Nelson, the Norfolk folk have never stood by and watched anything passively or gone away quietly for anyone!

Three sections were created. Boudicca's army was the largest, made up of 40 or more musicians and young people; our Norwich hub street band. They were led by Boudicca's chariot, a large 'Queen' costume on wheels and two wild horses (back pack mounted puppets)...




The next section was inspired by the Green Man, an iconic symbol which occurs in such large numbers, carved into the wood and masonry of the many ancient churches in the region. And there really are so many churches...and pubs I discovered.

The Green man 'King' costume was designed for an operator to hide inside; the arms were animated from the inside and the whole costume was really a large puppet on wheels, about 16 foot high.

The last section was inspired by the 'Norfolk Broads'. And I was very lucky to have the opportunity to design these costumes for a group of young stilt walkers, the Hi -Jacks. In my designs I combined the symbol of Nelson and the wading birds of the broads, forever fishing for gold, as in the peddler of Swatham's tale; the real treasure ends up being right under your feet!

The whole piece of work was titled 'Wild and Free'. From the start, following my first visit, I was so immediately aware of how resistant and separate Norwich felt and I was interested in the idea that a traveller, to and from Norwich and the East, must pass through the broads... Norfolk isn't on the way to anywhere!

But also I was interested in the conflict or ambiguity of the wilderness and the harnessing of nature by man; the windmills, the wild heron, the wealth and power held by Norwich and it's merchants in days gone by and the continual struggle between the land and sea's take over of the land.

Local artist, Pat Howe helped me and along with community groups both in Norwich and volunteers back at my workshop in Milton Keynes, we created the costumes. And the creations were finally presented at the 'Love Luton' event in July, which brought together all 500 people from all five hubs across the East of England, to perform as part of the London 2012 Festival.

A new blend of Brewing Up

Once again Brewing Up is getting the kettle on and in a very organic way we have selected a team, or have they selected themselves?




 

Putting these people together is a bit like blending a tea. In this case there was never a specific blend in mind.

The last year has been spent finding out what shape vessel we can contain the brew in... Are we stage actors, street performers, carnival processors, clowns, sculptors, dancers, facilitators, artists or all of the above? Do we need a narrative, a stage, less or more performers etc..?

The end point, I hope, will be rich, multi-layered and surprising, the result of a well developed and complicated brew which leaves traces of all the select flavours of the core team over the three years and allows their distinct talents to combine... like a good thirst quenching cuppa!


Having discovered that the company has the potential to break its own mould, exploring a new blend of processional street theatre, this year, we are concentrating our work on the blend -that is, developing the performers and artists and 'the team'.

I have always had a trust in the organic process. This undefined way of creating space, allowing anything to happen, underflow the ethos of the company. And in my own studio practise too, the objects and materials which find their way into my work often do just that, they find their way. As an artist I’m not so much a conceiver, as a curator or editor of ‘things’ which the universe is bringing together anyway. The products of my practise are moving towards ‘coming into being’ and I’m helping that happen with my special brand of panache. 



So just before our first rehearsal some weeks ago, I met with Sian Thomas, co-director and appointed Dramaturg for Brewing Up. I was impressed with her need to get to the bottom of her role and to understand our journey so far. And I found it difficult to describe an organic process in which the shapes are ever changing.

Rehearsals began and new characters have emerged –some have stuck and more will follow. The characters have developed around the mixed bag of individuals who have now become part of the Brewing Up family... the project continues to morph and the pot is always hot.
If you saw us last year, prepare to be surprised; it promises to be a very different cup of tea!



Our next performance of the show will be at Carnival Network South East Gala, following Cowley Road carnival in Oxford, on 3^rd July from 1pm onwards. See you there then?