photo by Simon Ryder
Exploratory Laboratory (ExLab ) presents a series of fascinating newly-commissioned contemporary artworks in response to the ‘linear laboratory’ of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site – a 95-mile section of stunning coastline between Dorset and East Devon. ExLab is a Big Picture project – a network of established arts organisations collaborating together across Dorset and will present projects at various locations along the coast between Hive Beach and Bournemouth, as well as new works at Sherborne which relates to the journey between inland and the coast.
Artists and scientists collaborate on a unique research project, producing a diverse range of contemporary artworks at various locations in Dorset in response to the Jurassic Coast. Informed by scientific knowledge, the artworks are the outcome of the artists’ collaborations with earth scientists and other specialists, adding a further dimension to public understanding of the coastline.
Commissioned by visual arts collective Big Picture, the works evoke intrigue and wonder about this extraordinary coastline, the only natural World Heritage Site in England. 5 new commissions, 3 artist bursaries, numerous scientists and 7 arts organisations add up to a highly original and un-missable experience.
The commissioned artists are Simon Callery, Mat Chivers, Zachary Eastwood-Bloom, Simon Ryder and creative studio Proboscis. The artists each respond to different areas of the coastline, resulting in a number of temporary site-responsive artworks to be presented at various coastal and inland locations across Dorset.
ExLab is a partner of Creative Coast 2012, an 18 month project which aims to connect people’s imaginations with the stories of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. In order to do this, it is developing the Creative Coast Forum, a network of artists, scientists, educators, arts organisations, local businesses, and public bodies. This Forum will encourage, support and deliver the Jurassic Coast’s creative programmes beyond 2012. This is made possible by the networks that have formed to make work which will animate the Jurassic Coast during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic events.
2012 Team for delivery
Producer: Carolyn Black
Public engagement: Diana Hatton
Marketing: Amanda Wallwork
Delivery- the Commission Managers
Polly Gifford (BAC)
Julie Penfold (PVA)
Amanda Wallwork (SHA)
Andrew Stooke (SHA)
Christine Fletcher Jones (Walford Mill Crafts)
Yvonne Gallimore (Artsreach)
Delivery – Partners: see here
Bursaries: Jem Maine (DVA)
Book-keeper: Mandy Rathbone
Project Assistants: Fran Norton and Rebecca Strain
PR: Renegade Media
Graphic Design: Steers McGillan
