‘Life, The Universe and Darwin’
During 2010 Our exhibition saw hundreds of local residents working with professional artists as part of a major art project in the city and on the 21st August the results of some of that work were displayed. The exhibition, which also gave free entry to Erasmus Darwin House on Beacon St for the day, it allowed for a fantastic opportunity to engage with and enjoy a wide range of artwork, which responded to the life, and work of Erasmus Darwin.
The exhibition was centred on its key exhibit – ‘Inventions of the Mind’ by Kirsty E Smith, who as well as being resident at the Museum during July / August, delivering community art workshops, installed a collection of her nationally acclaimed sculptures in the museum for a month long exhibition. She worked with around 80 individuals whose work was also be displayed.
Also Artist Rebecca Parker worked with would be photographers in the study of lighting and editing techniques. As a result a document of their studies were displayed alongside two original artworks she created during the project.
Also on display was a video and sound work created by acclaimed sound artist David Harper, who worked with around 40 students from Netherstowe High School in the production of the piece centred around alternative ways of viewing nature through observation – designed to replicate the scientific approach of Darwin himself.
The event also saw live music provided in the gardens, including string duet and acoustic guitar from local performers.
Poet Stewart Derry conducted poetry workshops in the Inventions room, with the results of these being performed at the end of the day.