Last weekend, June 18, Rye News had a press release about an interesting exhibition event – “A Vanished Sea (Without a Trace)” – happening at Bridgepoint in Rock Channel, as well as an extraordinary installation ‘The Beacon’, at Rye Harbour beach.
Both try to show how sustainable material can and should be used now and in the future. Climate Art and Bridgepoint, in collaboration with Sussex Wildlife Trust, have curated a climate awareness exhibition, generously supported by Bridgepoint Rye and the Kovitz Family Foundation.
Climate Art have taken up a multi-disciplinary, three month residency for artists, creative practitioners and environmental researchers to work on a project from April to June 2021. Climate Art is a public art platform focused on climate change, and the projects facilitate active cooperation between communities and scientists. The residents’ works and interests are outlined below:
Mo Langmuir: mixed media, ‘Animal, Mineral, Vegetable, an environmental history of Rye’, 2021. “The understanding of nature as dualistically opposed to culture or humanity is part and parcel of the western philosophical tradition.”
Alistair Debling: “Separated by half a millennium of history and only ten miles of Sussex coastline, Camber Castle and Dungeness nuclear power station share inversely similar fates. Both structures were decommissioned within a hundred years of being built….”
Joseph Williams: “The Beacon”. He wanted to propose a subtle intervention – a metaphorical lighthouse for the fragile vessels and uncertain futures out at sea.” His design simultaneously references a ubiquitous local plant found across the shingles of Rye Harbour.
Friday, June 25 was the opening for the press to visit the exhibition, then borrow an e-bike to cycle down to the nature reserve to view the amazing structure “The Beacon”, totally made from sustainable material. The mayor and deputy mayor also attended. There was drinks and music and also bus transport to the beach. The artists in residence were present to explain the ideas behind their environmental ideology. The exhibition will be open for four July weekends, 12 noon – 5pm. Viewing during the week has to be booked. The Beacon obviously is accessible 24 hours.
Bridgepoint Rye, Rock Channel via St Margaret’s Terrace TN31 7DE. info@climateart.org.uk, website.
Image Credits: Heidi Foster , Friend .