With most arts projects you kind of know what’s going to happen from the outset. SongMaps Rye is a bit different. Not only is it all about how Rye continues to be affected by climate change, there really isn’t a plan of what will be created – at least not yet. There will be though, as we’ll find out in July when all will be revealed. On this week’s Ryecast I’ve been meeting the artists who are working with local people to collaborate and create something special.
I joined one of their events at Tilling Green Community Centre as Andy Dinsdale from Strandliners explained how his work on the local seashore gives him first hand experience of Rye’s changing environment. He’s one of the experts helping the team understand what’s happening in a series of workshops over the next couple of months.
For writer and eco-poet Morgan the changing climate is something she’s all too familiar with at home in Rye Harbour. She hopes SongMaps Rye will give local people a voice: “Hearing other people’s views and transforming them creatively and artistically really excites me. I’m looking for optimistic ways of dealing with climate change, rather than being overwhelmed with anxiety.”
Spoken word poet Francesca Beard says she’s looking forward to working with local people in Rye: “I want to connect with people who have local, scientific and cultural expertise and knowledge to create something really special about the past, present and future of Rye.”
It’s not just about poetry: artists and musicians have also been brought together in Rye by two London based arts organisations as you’ll hear on this week’s Ryecast – along with an explanation about what a song map is. Just search for Ryecast or visit www.ryecast.org
Image Credits: James Stewart .