Fancy entering a night-time fire garden or watching a dazzling sea of light? Well, this month you could do just that.
From largescale fire and light installations to thought-provoking film screenings and interactive community projects, this year’s Arts by the Sea festival will be endeavouring to bring you a unique exploration of arts and culture for all ages to enjoy.
Following on from the good news that Bournemouth’s Arts by the Sea Festival has found a way of revising its programme to be COVID-friendly, we bring you the low-down on the events you don’t want to miss.
Sea of Light
Ithaca Studio will present an outdoor adaptation of their large-scale light extravaganza, Sea of Light. Enjoy thousands of light spheres in a dazzling 360-degree light experience, accompanied by a surround-sound music composition. This immersive installation is free to attend but you’ll need to book a ticket.
The Fire Garden
Experience a unique family-friendly adventure with a fiery night-time landscape. Created by outdoor arts experts Walk the Plank, The Fire Garden will see an everyday space transformed into a dazzling world of illuminating arts. Expect flaming flower boxes, crackling trees and plumes of fire. Again, this event is free but you will need to book first.
The Congregation
The Congregation is an immersive sound experience curated by local musician and composer, Guy Dowsett. Step through this sensor triggered design and hear hundreds of insects, birds and other creatures in a vast and entrancing tapestry of living sound. Find yourself journeying back in time to when humans inhabited the forest.
TOM
Choreographer and film maker Wilkie Branson, will be bringing the intriguing TOM to the festival. This socially distanced set-up at Pavilion Dance South West, tells the story of one man’s journey to rediscover who he really is. TOM is a soul-searching poetic film, exploring storytelling via the use of b-boying. It will be brought together by cutting-edge technologies including animation, projection mapping, sound design and film installation. Tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.
You Are Here
You Are Here is the work of Bournemouth-based graffiti artist Ricky Also. A bold, 3D supergraphic installation, this bespoke structure has been built around interlocking blocks of colour, geometric shapes and letters. The installation serves as a visual reminder to stop and enjoy the here and now in the ever-changing world we live in. You’ll find it situated in Lower Gardens.
In Memoriam and Speak to the Sea
Luke Jerram’s In Memoriam, situated on Sandbanks Beach, will offer a place for the public to remember those lost in the COVID-19 pandemic. A display of bed sheets will create a symbolic sea of flags to reflect loved ones passed, and pay tribute to brave NHS staff members and volunteers.
Inspired by the themes of In Memoriam, Speak To The Sea is a participatory event curated in association with local arts and wellbeing organisation, CoCreate. Set on the beach, you will be prompted by a series of signboards to ‘speak to the sea’ about your own personal experiences and feelings from the last few months. With the sea being a contemplative place, used by many to meditate on challenges or hope for new futures, it’s the perfect location for this reflective piece.
#PostcardsFromMemory
One of CoCreate’s other participatory community events is #PostcardsFromMemory. From extravagant road trips to disastrous holidays; from a walk to the shops to a cycle across the Pyrenees; this project will exhibit stories from the public’s most memorable journeys in words, images or both: all squeezed onto an A6 postcard! This fun and unusual project can be found at Bournemouth Central Library and online via the festival website.
Don’t worry if you can’t make it to the festival or secure a ticket for all of these events as digital broadcasts will allow you to get involved online. As well as these quirky events, there will be an additional online festival programme with plenty of performances to watch.
If you are planning to attend in person, please check before attending as all events will be subject to government guidance at the time.
When: 25th September – 4th October 2020
Where: Around Bournemouth town centre and online
£: Free. Some events are ticketed, so you will need to register in advance
More info: artsbythesea.co.uk