Webcam, sketchbook and film for Runcorn empty shops project
The window of one of Runcorn old town's shops will be used as a living sketch book showing the work of two telented local artists from Working Title Artists Collective.
Just like a sketch book it will always be changing and reflect the ideas of the artists and local people as they pop up. If you are around at the same time as the artists you may even be asked to join in - or get involved at workingtitleartistscollectivecrea.blogspot.com
Beth Barlow and Jason Sheppard have spent the last few weeks learning about Runcorn's commercial past and working alongside local people to get ideas for their project.
It is part of the latest Creative Runcorn project, which has seen a 'flash mob' type project which caught the imagination of the press and public and a town centre knit which was featured on BBC North West Tonight and Radio1's Newsbeat.
Later in the year Working Title will be taking a webcam robot into the places in Runcorn you wouldn't normally get to see, behind the shutters and boards of closed down shops.
Some of what the robot finds will be items left behind by the most recent occupants, other bits will be objects from the past and the artists and local people might even add some ideas about what the future might hold for Runcorn.
Empty shops in Runcorn are providing an artistic and cultural renaissance for the town - with a project based on the history on the old town.
The project funded through the Arts Council England and working in partnership with Halton Borough Council has already brought the artistic pair into contact with local traders to collect and chat about objects which reflect Runcorn now.
The group has also had help from local writers and historians and residents and market shoppers. They asked questions like; What objects do you think represent Runcorn in its past present and possible future? The group have been filming and recording people�s responses. All this and more has provided a base of research for the next part of the project set to take place over the next few months.
Keep your eyes peeled over the next few months for the chance to take part in a satellite navigation aided treasure hunt around the town, ever changing window displays in a long abandoned shop and the group�s interactive moving sculpture going on walking tours and into closed off shops.
The project has its own blog which local people are contributing to in the form of pictures and writing and local writer Chris Darlington is setting up a spin off project called �Lost Shop Spot�.
He is looking for people to contribute pictures and memories of shops which have closed down to create a memory bank for the town.
If you want to contribute or be kept informed about the project you can contact the group through Beth Barlow at [email protected] or on 07828148123.
Just like a sketch book it will always be changing and reflect the ideas of the artists and local people as they pop up. If you are around at the same time as the artists you may even be asked to join in - or get involved at workingtitleartistscollectivecrea.blogspot.com
Beth Barlow and Jason Sheppard have spent the last few weeks learning about Runcorn's commercial past and working alongside local people to get ideas for their project.
It is part of the latest Creative Runcorn project, which has seen a 'flash mob' type project which caught the imagination of the press and public and a town centre knit which was featured on BBC North West Tonight and Radio1's Newsbeat.
Later in the year Working Title will be taking a webcam robot into the places in Runcorn you wouldn't normally get to see, behind the shutters and boards of closed down shops.
Some of what the robot finds will be items left behind by the most recent occupants, other bits will be objects from the past and the artists and local people might even add some ideas about what the future might hold for Runcorn.
Empty shops in Runcorn are providing an artistic and cultural renaissance for the town - with a project based on the history on the old town.
The project funded through the Arts Council England and working in partnership with Halton Borough Council has already brought the artistic pair into contact with local traders to collect and chat about objects which reflect Runcorn now.
The group has also had help from local writers and historians and residents and market shoppers. They asked questions like; What objects do you think represent Runcorn in its past present and possible future? The group have been filming and recording people�s responses. All this and more has provided a base of research for the next part of the project set to take place over the next few months.
Keep your eyes peeled over the next few months for the chance to take part in a satellite navigation aided treasure hunt around the town, ever changing window displays in a long abandoned shop and the group�s interactive moving sculpture going on walking tours and into closed off shops.
The project has its own blog which local people are contributing to in the form of pictures and writing and local writer Chris Darlington is setting up a spin off project called �Lost Shop Spot�.
He is looking for people to contribute pictures and memories of shops which have closed down to create a memory bank for the town.
If you want to contribute or be kept informed about the project you can contact the group through Beth Barlow at [email protected] or on 07828148123.