A Public Forum and Discussion, Saturday 25th October 2003 10.30 am -12.45 pm
Beechenhurst Lodge, Forest of Dean
Background
To celebrate the opening up of the Forest of Dean following months of closure, the trauma of the culling and burning pyres during Foot and Mouth, the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust and Forest Enterprise created a unique and extraordinary event “Light Shift”. Artists created 25 temporary light installations in the Forest to the astonishment of 40,000 visitors over 7 evenings in October/November 2001, with funding from the Regional Development Agency obtained by the Forest of Dean District Council.
It was much more successful than anyone could have imagined. Due to the enormous number of additional hours worked by the artists, the curator and Forest Enterprise staff, coupled with the impact of the vast visitor numbers it was realised that the event, as it was, could not be repeated.
In response to public enthusiasm and demand the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust are now interested in exploring how artists can create works for the Forest using light, sound and new media to create different exciting public environments in a landscape rural setting.
Current interactive/telematic art practice is increasingly moving away from the “white box” context of the art gallery, and into open spaces thanks to advances in wireless technology, and the increased availability of small, robust and battery-powered computers.
The Digital Media Research Centre of the Faculty of Art, Media and Design, University of the West of England, Bristol (who have also made possible the development of our website) are presenting a series of Seminars :”Interactive, Generative and Telematic Arts in Public places and Alternative Environments” (5 February 2003), and “Un-electrified spaces:exploring interactive and telematic art” (24 October 2003), with presentations by artists and academics who are exploring and developing cutting edge art practice using new media technology. The Forest of Dean SculptureTrust in partnership with UWE is interested in exploring ways in which these discussions and developments might lead to follow-on from Light Shift, in the Forest of Dean and elsewhere.
Light Shift…ing
Agenda
10 am. Registration and coffee
10.30 am. Forum Opens
- Playback of video of Light Shift
- Light Shift - what it was and how it happened?
Sam Wilkinson (Curator) and Robin Blackledge (Artist) - Light Shift - looking to the future, from the viewpoint of Land Management
Rob Guest (Forest Enterprise) - Artists and Academics observations on relevant aspects of the “IGT-Art” Seminar (5 February) and “Un-electrified Spaces” Seminar on 24 October), including:
Jeff Mann (Interaccess Toronto),
Gunter Geiger (Barcelona),
Alan Smith,
Annie Lovejoy,
Martin Dupras and
Paul Smith (UWE) - Existing Arts and Forest partnerships and future opportunities:
James Swabey, Head of Recreation in England for Forest Enterprise - Summing up
Lesley Greene, chair of Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust
The Trust would like to end the morning session with a clear plan for moving forward the achievements of Light Shift.
** There is no charge to attend the Forum but places are limited, so please make reservations early by e-mailing or phoning:
Rosalind Cookson,
Ingleside,
Church Lane,
Rudford,
Gloucester, GL2 8DT
telephone: 07766 808590,
email rosalindcookson@hotmail.com
Please ask Rosalind if you need directions or accommodation details.
The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trust gratefully acknowledge financial help from Arts Council England, South West
Diversity Project
The Light Shift…ing Forum will be followed by the launch of the “Diversity Project” at 1pm. to view new permanent and temporary works by Erika Tan and temporary works by Jane Spray, with a barbeque lunch and tour of the trail. A new publication relating to the Diversity Project will be available
We look forward to seeing you on the 25th October!