Artsreach’s ongoing collaborative arts project ‘Jurassic Journey’ continues on its expedition this autumn, with diverse opportunities to get involved.
The presentation: Jurassic Journey
Following award-winning photographer Ben Osborne’s highly popular spring tour of his specially commissioned audio-visual celebration of the Jurassic Coast, ‘Jurassic Journey’, he is back by popular demand touring to five Artsreach venues in October. Ben accompanies his beautiful photographic journey along the coast with witty anecdotes and interesting, accessible explanations of the Jurassic Coast’s geology – the UK’s first natural World Heritage Site, which celebrates its centenary of this status this December.
Ben’s show enjoyed several sell-outs in the Spring so advance booking is recommended – catch him in October at the following village halls:
Cranborne: Sat 1st; Portesham: Sun 2nd; Marnhull Thurs 6th; Sturminster Marshall Fri 7th; Studland Sun 9th. Please see www.artsreach.co.uk for booking details.
The exhibition: Deep Time
Since the project started in 2008, Ben has worked alongside three associate artists whose work features strongly in his audio-visual presentation. Jurassic Journey features evocative music specially composed and recorded for the show by Dorset’s Sammy Hurden; poetry written by Devon-based Matt Harvey (2010’s poet-in-residence at Wimbledon and regular on Radio 4), and characters created by popular Dorset artist/sculptor Lal Hitchcock using flotsam and jetsam found along the Jurassic Coast. With support from The Heritage Lottery the Deep Time exhibition brings together Lal’s flotsam and jetsam sculptures, Matt’s poems, Sammy’s music and Ben’s stunning photography exploring the extraordinary geology underpinning the landscape, how nature has invaded it, and the human story of the ways we have moulded and used the coast. Deep Time presents new perspectives and a new vision of the World Heritage Coastline and is on tour this autumn – catch it at:
Morden village hall (1 & 2 Oct); Stur Newton Exchange (22-24 Oct) and Cerne Abbas village hall (29 & 30 Oct). It then tours to Devon, returning to Dorset in May 2012.
Activities
There are various opportunities to get involved in special events accompanying the exhibition. All of the events will focus on the amazing geology and cultural heritage of the Jurassic Coast and its wider reach inland. Sammy Hurden will be leading a singing workshop at the Discovery Centre at Knoll Beach, Studland on Sunday 9th October, to learn songs she wrote specially for the project. The workshop will include a short walk to sing on the beach nearby. Geologist Alan Holiday is leading two walks to discover the rocks beneath our feet and how they have been used in the buildings of Nether Compton on Saturday 22nd October and Cerne Abbas on Saturday 29th October, and finally there is a chance for young people to get involved over half term with a special opportunity to identify and learn more about fossils and where to find them – this will also be led by Alan Holiday, at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton on Monday 24th October. For further information about the exhibitions or events call Artsreach on 01305 269512.
Calendar
Artsreach has commissioned a special celebratory 2012 Jurassic Journey calendar – the perfect Christmas present, or reference throughout the year to this iconic coastline. Ben’s sumptuous images give a tantalising glimpse of the richness of the journey he has made. To order a copy at £8 + £1 p&p each, please call Artsreach: 01305 269512.
