This month, Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) will be launching a new set of interactive heritage trails and installations, for visitors of all ages.
The self-guided trails will lead visitors along the corridors and stairways of BAC’s Victorian Old Town Hall building, to uncover the stories of some of the incredible people associated with its history; from political activists like suffragist Charlotte Despard and London’s first black mayor John Archer, to the entrepreneur and trailblazing aviator Hilda Hewlett.
The 12 specially commissioned installations have been created by artists and designers to embody values represented by the building, BAC, and the local area’s past: from joy to determination, integrity to kindness.
Visitors can challenge a mechanical eye to a staring contest, receive a round of applause from a chandelier and find out whether they’re brave enough to put their hand in a lion’s mouth. A free map means the installations can be explored at any time during a visit to BAC.
Inspired by the BAC Archive, these commissions are part of the BAC Moving Museum, which sees Battersea Arts Centre bring its skills and experiences as a performing arts organisation to the discovery, creation, and sharing of heritage stories. The Moving Museum is also the custodian of the Wandsworth Collection of historical objects, in partnership with Wandsworth Borough Council.
The next part of the BAC Moving Museum is a new garden set to open on Town Hall Road this autumn. The garden will celebrate and respond to the generosity of the local community in the wake of the 2015 fire, providing a new public space in the heart of Wandsworth.
The installations and map have been designed with multiple sensory access in mind and are part of BAC’s work to open up the building and become a Relaxed Venue.
When: From August 2019
Where: Battersea Arts Centre (BAC), Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN
£: Free
More info: www.bac.org.uk
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