Fairground Reminiscence is an immersive installation celebrating the heritage of Fairgrounds, an insight into the showman families and the multigenerational communities who identify through local traveling fairs in England. The project was first inspired by my own Dad’s experience of growing up, living and working on fairgrounds as a young boy in a showman’s family.
Through personal headsets audiences are invited to journey through an interactive world, listen to a bespoke fairground sound experience, with stories and memories of the showmen communities behind traveling fairgrounds. They are invited to see historic film footage such as the Wall of Death through peephole boxes, play historic fairground games, and discover a collection of historic photographs and original memorabilia through hidden areas in the design. The installation is an experience for all the senses with the chance to taste mouthfuls of candyfloss hanging from candyfloss clouds and smells of toffee apples in the air. The space is brought to life through performances by an eclectic mix of community members and performers.
Through interactive features audiences are invited to contribute to the growth of the installation through drawing, writing as well as recording their own stories and memories of the fairground, which will be presented within the installation. As part of the project we will be running creative intergenerational dance and art workshops allowing the local communities we engage with to share there own artistic expressions whilst experiencing the many health and well being benefits of taking part.
To give a sense of what the fully created project might look like and the type of experience we want to create for audiences who we work with. We have shared our video link to the Sharing of Fairground Reminiscence's R&D during the late shows in 2018.
The project has been previously awarded a Space/Time Bursary from Space Six in partnership with the Empty Space to research and develop some of our early ideas last year, alongside a Grant for the Arts from Arts Council England. We have been offered an award of funding from Arts Council England to support the creation, but the project can only happen if all of the budget is raised.
We are eligible for a 50% match from the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear, but in order to acquire this funding we must secure £4,000 from our supporters and the public.
To remain accessible for many audiences to experience the project all of this is offered for free.
The project will be visiting 4 venues within the North East, including Thought Foundation in Birtley, Byker Community Centre, Gala Gallery Durham and Vane Gallery. Through this crowd funder we are raising money to support the work that happens within Newcastle at Byker Community Association.
Your donations will contribute towards supporting:
- Allowing the project to remain free and accessible for visitors.
- Facilitating dance workshops for local community members
- Audience Development and marketing, helping us to reach audiences where this project can really inspire and help those who might need it.
- Project Management to ensure the project can run successfully during its residency at Byker Community Centre.
- Volunteer Training
- Interactive design elements within the installation
- Transporting and installing the work at Byker Community Centre
- Costume and props for each of our local community performers
Early Design Sketches for the Installation set design of Fairground Reminiscence (AXO Veiw)