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A murmuration of starlings - possible inspiration for participants in Movement.

A murmuration of starlings – possible inspiration for participants in Movement.

ROOT 1066: the festival that keeps on giving

Highlights of the ROOT 1066 festival as September gives way to October include a couple of “unmissable” talks and the first performance of an opera especially written for the occasion. Media colleagues from Hasting Borough Council describe what is in store.

INTERPRETING THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY
Thursday 29 September, 2-3.30pm (doors open 1.30pm) at St Mary in the Castle

Medieval Mosaic (photo: Tracy Hobden).

Medieval Mosaic (photo: Tracy Hobden).

Gale Owen-Crocker, Professor Emerita of the University of Manchester, interprets this extraordinary example of Anglo-Norman art and workmanship. Learn about the battle that transformed England’s culture and heritage, as told by those who were there at the time – and also about the other elements of 11th century life portrayed: political propaganda, mundane objects and day-to-day living.

Tickets cost £15 and are available from the venue.

Visitors to St Mary in the Castle will also be able to view the Medieval Mosaic, a complete recreation of the Bayeux Tapestry, which is on display in the Crypt of St Mary in the Castle. Comprising 3 million pieces of spring steel, it holds the Guinness World Record as the largest steel mosaic.

Photo: Pete Jones

Photo: Pete Jones

AN EVENING WITH MARCUS HARVEY
Friday 30 September, 7pm, at the Jerwood Gallery
A chance to meet the Marcus Harvey, the man behind the irreverent Inselaffe show which is running at the gallery until 16 October.

Margaret Thatcher, Myra Hindley and Tony Blair are just three of the Inselaffe – ‘island monkeys’ – who feature in the show. The work forges motifs and emblems of Britishness, such as military memorabilia and joke shop knick-knacks, into collaged portraits of historical figures.

Admission £10 (£8 for members) – booking (call 01424 728377) is essential.

PUSH – an opera for our times
Saturday 1 October, 3.30pm and 7.30pm, De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill
Saturday 8 October, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church, Battle
PUSH, an opera performed by soloists from Glyndebourne, musicians from some of the UK’s major orchestras and 250 children and adults from across 1066 Country, makes its world premiere with two performances at the De La Warr Pavilion. A third will be given a week later as part of the Battle Festival.

Written by internationally acclaimed composer Howard Moody, PUSH is inspired by the compelling, true story of Simon Gronowski, who was pushed from a train bound for Auschwitz by his mother in 1943. The narrative also draws on more recent refugee experiences including the Jungle camp in Calais, the mass arrival of Syrian refugees in Europe and scenes from the train station in Budapest as refugees were trapped while trying to board trains.

fun-palace-resizedFUN PALACE – for the whole family
Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October, 11am-4pm, St Mary in the Castle
Join local artists, writers and volunteers as they transform St Mary in the Castle into a fun palace for the weekend. There will be a variety of family events and workshops exploring themes from the 950th anniversary; in particular the Guinness World Record-holding Medieval Mosaic currently on display in the crypt.

This free, drop-in arts and crafts event is designed for families and all activities will be suitable for children aged three and up. Children will be able to take part in exciting drawing, writing and crafting activities which will teach them different ways to tell stories through art. They will also work together to design a tapestry to rival Bayeux! After the weekend’s fun, the newly created tapestries will remain on display so all the contributing families, not to mention members of the public, can come back and admire their work.

All materials will be supplied and drinks and snacks will be available throughout the day. Children should be supervised during all activities, and parents and carers will be encouraged to join in too.

MOVEMENT – an inclusive event and installation
Event: Sunday 2 October, 2-5pm, Stade Open Space
Installation: Sunday 2 October, 2-5pm and Monday 3 October, 10.30am-4pm, Stade Hall

The Craftivist Network has brought together local charities that provide creative opportunities for vulnerable and excluded groups to create Movement.

Participants have made arrows and banners to communicate the challenges they experience and their hopes for the future direction of their lives and the town. The individual arrows will become part of a large-scale installation designed by St Leonards artist Caroline Le Breton at Stade Hall. Everyone is invited to see the installation take shape, enjoy refreshments and music, and make an arrow to take home.

The Craftivist Network, which was formed by Culture Shift and Hastings Furniture Service, includes Active Arts (Hastings & Bexhill Mencap), Autism Sussex, Little Gate Farm, HFS, Seaview, Glyne Gap Faculty, Horizons Community Learning and the Conquest and Beeching Park day centres.

“As soon as people use the term ‘arts festival,’ there is a danger that it will be seen as exclusive or middle-class,” says Naomi Ridley, HFS chief executive. “We wanted to organise something that would be part of the festival that truly involved local residents, especially those who otherwise might not be seen or feel included.”

Movement is funded by Hastings Borough Council, with support from local businesses Brewers, Southern Gas Solutions and M&W Residential Sales and Lettings.

 

Find more information on these events and many others here. ROOT 1066 International Festival is funded by Hastings Borough Council, Arts Council England and the Coastal Communities Fund. For the latest news, follow @ROOT1066 on Twitter, or like facebook.com/ROOT1066.

 

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Posted 16:40 Friday, Sep 23, 2016 In: Arts News

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