FLOW: Interchange - From Cosgrove to Wadenhoe and back again!
Three artists, two weeks, one boat!
Well tomorrow I'm off to take part in a two week residency on a narrow boat with Simon Woolham and Jo Roberts. Invited by Fermynwoods Contemporary Art we'll travel along a section of the Grand Union canal and river Nene in Northamptonshire knowledgeably led by our captain Jim. He is actually called Jim and is very knowledgeable.
Amongst other things like steering, avoiding crashing into other boats and trying to work locks..we'll be making work tracing our journey, collecting sounds, songs, words, books; and debating and possibly even singing in waterside hostelries; inviting folk to join us on board and on shore to create together and to share stories about the canal, its people and learn some traditional making skills, such a cabin crochet.
On the 23rd July I'll be joined by Jason Singh for a live sound performance as we travel through the 2 mile-long Blisworth Tunnel.
If you happen to be in that area, please feel free to come and say hello and join us for a cup of tea on board. You can follow our progress on the FLOW website, where we'll be posting regular updates of the journey.
http://flow-northamptonshire.com/events/interchange/
Here's an extract from a great song to kick the journey off, courtesy of the wonderful Songs of the Inland Waterways website. Captains of the Waterways by Jon Raven, taken from the Bold Navigators: the story of England's canals in songs.
Fingers crossed that the weather holds out and that three artists sharing a small space for two weeks doesn't end up like an episode of Big Brother.
I'm looking forward to being on the water, slowing down, taking our time, being in the moment, exploring the environment, having time to think, reflect and make, learning more about canals and the people and cultures surrounding the waterways, and sharing the experience with other people.
