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| Artist Beth Derbyshire opens The Ark |
In November 2012 seven artists embarked on a journey of discovery in the
Pennine landscape. Each artist had been chosen for their unique skills and
interest in creating work in response to stories and conversations. Each of the
seven were given one park across Pennine Lancashire to become resident in for
three weeks, between them covering Marsden Park, Corporation Park, Stubbylee
Park, Fox Hill Bank, Brun Valley Forest Park, Brungerley Park and Cross Hill
Quarry. During that time they had in depth conversations with over 700 people
about why they used the parks, their thoughts on the landscape they lived in
and their connection to it.
This Monday saw the culmination of the Exploring Landscapes project with
the unveiling of The Ark.
Seen from the tow path The Ark appears
as a wooden house floating on a boat, representing the terraced housing so
abundant in Pennine Lancashire. The sides of the house are intricately cut into
shapes referencing Islamic textile patterns, the main wall being carved in a
paisley pattern.
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| The Ark |
The roof of The Ark is
created from a living meadow and ecosystem, a symbol of the flower rich
grasslands of the region's disused quarries. This enchanting green spectacle
will contrast with the factories and mills it passes on its journey down the
industrial pathway of the canal. The Ark reflects
on the historical purpose of the canal as an industrial pathway that
transported local materials and linked communities together, leaving a rich
social, cultural and historic legacy in the area
Housed inside this structure
is a film wall showing five newly commissioned films collectively called The
Keepers. The films follow a series of local people who have a special
connection to the area, taking us on a journey to explore how their stories
inextricably link them to the surrounding landscape.
As the sculpture travels down its ten mile journey on the canal it will
moor up in the communities it passes, inviting people to step on board and
experience the films first hand. As well as travelling on the canal, The Ark structure
will also mysteriously appear in Blackburn and Burnley town centres as it
passes by, bringing an evocative sense of the landscape directly into these
urban town spaces.
To celebrate the completion of The
Ark there will be a series of events throughout Pennine Lancashire starting
in Blackburn on Thursday 23rd May and finishing in
Brierfield on Thursday 6th June.
For more information on The Ark visit
http://www.thearklancashire.co.uk/
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