Artist Commissions 2018

Local Engagement Commission

Plymouth based Laura Denning who wowed audiences with her independent project Benthic Caress at 2017’s Weekender, was selected for our Local Engagement Commission. Laura’s practice combines collaboration, curation and, field notes; resulting in filmworks, soundwalks and other forms of ‘experimental geography’, as well as installations that audiences can take part in. For the Local Engagement Commission, Laura worked with a series of professional vocalists and collaborated with Plymouth’s D/deaf community to create a sign language choir.

Benthic Caress, Laura Denning, Plymouth Art Weekender 2017

Open Brief Commission

Devon based Go Happen, who have previously developed intriguing journeying works for the Fal River Festival, Inland Art Festival and Stockholm International Fringe Festival, took on the Open Brief. Go Happen develop expeditions and platforms for new stories. These are participatory and research happenings, exploring adventure and human perception. In 2018 sailors set off from Plymouth as well as Falmouth and Les Sables-d’Olonne, France to sail solo and without technology around the world celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Sunday Times Golden Globe race. For this new commission they focused on the journey of Bernard Moitessier, who departed from Plymouth in 1968 on the same race, 50 years before.

Navigate, Go Happen

The History Commission, in partnership with The Box

Cornwall based Bridgette Ashton was selected for The History Commission, in partnership with The Box, Plymouth. Bridgette is best known for her work with caves, follies and grottoes including the poetic and poignant Lost Cave Requiem, which commemorated the demolished Porth Banqueting Hall Cavern, a concert venue up until the 1920s that hosted up to 1000 visitors at candlelit performances in a cave by the sea. Bridgette has a multifaceted practice encompassing sculpture, print, drawing, installation and publications and previously developed commissions for b-side Festival and Inland Art Festival. Her recent exhibition Only The World Remains in South London featured a series of multi-disciplinary works reimagining histories, fragments and stories linked to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. For the Weekender Bridgette worked with The Box to develop new work inspired by the discovery of Plymouth’s Cattedown Caves and their connection to the destruction and further reconstruction of Plymouth.

Model for the Cattedown Caves Experience, Bridgette Ashton