Arts Project
Come to our first free public art event at Riverside Park, next to Woodmill Lane in Southampton from 18th -20th September 2009. Participate in a Land Draw - create a giant picture of Salmon and Eels from natural materials such as wood chip, grass cuttings and sand.
Public participation: Saturday 19th Sept 12.00 - 5.00 pm
Sunday 20th Sept 11.00 - 3.30 pm
Come and watch a dance performance at the Land Draw on Friday 18th Sept and Sunday 20th Sept at 4.00 pm. Download the event flyer here.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust are working with artist Abigail Downer on the Itchen Navigation Arts Project from 2009 to 2010. The aim of the arts project is to attract a wider audience to get involved in the Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail Project, through workshops and public events.
"I am inspired by the rhythm - the constant flow through the land that is often hidden and unseen by the casual passer by." - Abigail Downer
"I am inspired by the encounter with a watery oasis that runs cheek by jowl with habitation, industry, road and rail - the hustle and bustle of modern life. The Itchen Navigation cut from ancient watercourses that have fed the land throughout history allows today's generation to travel back in time and imagine." - Abigail Downer
Elements of the arts project include:
- Public land draw events next to the river - the public will help create giant images of salmon and eel using natural materials, such as straw, grass and chipping
- Musical composition inspired by the sounds of the Itchen Navigation
- Dance workshops with local secondary schools run by Wise Moves Dance
- Print-making workshops with local primary schools and family groups
- Oral history
- A web portal will be the legacy of the project incorporating the sound, still images and moving images created as part of the project
