LOOK OUT
The Lookout aboard LV21 is much more than just a ship’s wheelhouse: it’s an observatory, a retreat for reflection, a laboratory for testing new ideas and experimentation, a meeting place for collaboration and networking, a workshop for sharing skills and developing innovative ideas… The Lookout is equipped with useful ‘tools’; visual curios and inspirational items fill the ‘Cabin of Curiosities’; a variety of materials are available for use and a small library with a selection of resources, books and publications provides further fuel for thought.
We invited local residents, together with arts and non-arts organisations, professional and amateur arts enthusiasts across art forms to occupy and take command of this unique bridge space!
Residency #1 Radio Arts & Colin Turner
Radio Arts is an independent artists' group founded in 2001 by lecturer, producer and artist Magz Hall and artist, producer and musician Jim Backhouse to promote radio as a site for creative experimentation and intervention. They have held public workshops, produced installations, published and broadcast new sound works and created performative interventions, and their activity was instrumental in developing London's community arts station Resonance FM into a sustainable full-time concern between 2001-2006.
Colin Turner is LV21's resident radio expert, operating morse code and marine VHF from LV21's radio room. An active member of many community and voluntary groups Colin regularly hosts soldering and radio building workshops and is a regular guest speaker at international radio events. He has a passion for all things radio and enjoys passing on his engineering skills and radio knowledge to people of all ages.
Residency #2 KAT, Wendy Daws & Underground Pearl
The Kent Autistic Trust have been providing high quality services for people with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and their families for over 20 years. Today the Trust offers individual, tailor-made, person-centred solutions of support for adults through living services and day vocational and life-skill opportunities across Medway and Kent.
Christine Edwards-Daem, Operational Manager for Medway said:
“The Kent Autistic Trust is delighted to take part in Lookout 21 because it will challenge the existing participants attending the resource centres in Gillingham and Lordswood to experience and influence art within the community in a different and very exciting way. This is a great adventure and we are ready for the challenge to explore different avenues and experiences and believe that this will enrich the participating artists for years to come.”
Wendy Daws is a visual artist based in Medway. With over 20 years experience of working in the arts, she thrives on collaborating with other people, sharing ideas, exploring hidden stories and making things happen and believes strongly that disability is not an impairment to creativity. Art is for all regardless of age, ability or background.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to work with the Kent Autistic Trust, their staff, volunteers and those who use their vital services and I'm really looking forward to finding out what emerges from this joint collaborative project and residential aboard historic Light Vessel 21."
Underground Pearl is a visual arts Community Interest Company anchored in Deal, Kent and run by two artists and a fisherman: artists Katryn Saqui, Loren Beven and fisherman Nigel Clements. Underground Pearl collaborate with the community to raise awareness of local history in contemporary ways through forming unexpected relationships, engaging in debate, encouraging collaboration and connecting to the sea. Katryn and Loren encourage people to question and provide space for conversation and debate through creative provocations, enriching people's understanding and connection with the world around them.
"Underground Pearl is excited to have been invited to be involved in Lookout 21 and collaborating with Kent Autistic Trust to work with other artists and a cross section of the local community in Medway as active participants to create a magical and inspiring project. LV21 is a unique space in which to explore and further develop our collaborative creative practice."
Residency #3 DIZZY O'DARE & THE NEALE FAMILY
Dizzy O’Dare Presents… is an innovative contemporary circus theatre for stage, festivals and corporate entertainment based in Medway.
Alana Jones is one of very few female tight wire walkers in Britain. Gaining a degree in Dance Theatre at Laban, she then went onto gain a second degree in Circus Theatre at The Circus Space, specialising in tightwire. As well as performing as a solo artist and for Dizzy O’Dare Presents... Alana produces and programs events and festivals.
Michael Imerson trained as an actor and film-maker at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. He has appeared in award winning television and theatre, as well as being a professional musician. Michael also works as an entertainer and presenter.
Dizzy O’Dare Presents… provide entertainment for many of major events and festivals both nationally and internationally.
Sittingbourne resident Robin Neale has a wealth of knowledge of local maritime history and colourful memories of Gillingham Pier going back a few decades. With inspiration from Dizzy O’Dare and support from his daughter Melissa and grandson Aston, Robin brought some of his personal Medway yarns alive and shared a piece of local history with a wider audience beyond his closest family and friends.
Robin is a volunteer for the World Ship Society www.worldshipsociety.org.
