Megan Calver and Gabrielle Hoad write:
Posted by Susie David
As we start to think about how to develop work arising from Dawlish Warren, we’re asking the question: “what do non-artists get out of collaborating?” So we were delighted to have the opportunity to meet Sally Watkins and the rest of the b-side team, organisers of a bi-annual multimedia festival on the Isle of Portland in Dorset. Their programme emerges from conversations between artists, producers and the residents in response to place.
We posed our question to b-side. It’s good to give local people the opportunity to sing about their place, Sally suggested thoughtfully. It can give a sense of belonging.
After our meeting, we went to explore the island, including Verne High Angle Battery, a derelict Victorian gun battery. Although we hadn’t come equipped to work, we experimented with some call and response through the tunnels — broadcasting the graffiti that visitors (Portlanders perhaps?) had left there.
Next b-side Festival takes place 10-18 September 2016
http://b-side.org.uk/festival-2016
