Barnaby 2018 taking shape

Acclaimed creator of live artworks, Luke Jerram is among an impressive array of talent of internationally renowned and locally based artists and performers who have been commissioned by Barnaby Festival.  

Along with a storyteller, a digital artist and a carnival creator these are the first four of 10 research and development projects to be announced for the 2018 festival which takes ‘Roots/Routes’ as its theme.

Some artists and performers are locally based, but it’s a tribute to the quality of Barnaby and its reputation that the festival is able to attract internationally renowned talent to work in the town.

Each will use their skills to explore ideas and engage with Macclesfield in different ways whether through schools, community groups, subject matter or location. Some will use the theme of Roots/Routes and become part of the 2018 festival programme, other ideas may take longer to come to fruition.

Festival Director, Karl Wallace: “We’re collaborating with some really exciting creative talents and introducing them to individuals and community groups to explore ideas or get directly involved. It’s the first time Barnaby has had enough time to do this sort of thing between festivals. There will be ten ideas taking root during this research and development period.”

Luke Jerram is a Bristol based artist who’s worked all over the world creating large scale installations and live artworks. Luke is colour blind which has given him a particular interest in how we see the world around us. Among many newsworthy projects Luke created ‘Park & Slide’ in his home city in 2014 – a free, giant 95m waterslide down a main street for just one day. There was a lottery for the 360 tickets to ride, but more than 60,000 people came to watch. Barnaby has invited Luke to explore using Macclesfield’s location, landscape and legends to bring more people into the town. After his visit last month, he’s particularly taken with treacle!

Mancunian storyteller Jan Blake specialises in traditional folk tales from Africa, the Caribbean and Arabia. She has been entertaining audiences across the world for 30 years and including being storyteller-in-residence at the Hay Festival.  Barnaby wants Jan to help develop the culture of storytelling in Macclesfield.  Her project is called “Tell Them I am Beautiful” and she’s exploring options with the Women’s Institute about working together to create a performance for the 2018 festival.

Carnival artist John Hartshorn is the creative mind behind the Barnaby Carnival Parade, a samba teacher and driving force at the charity Macclesfield Community ArtSpace. As well as having a passion for parades, John is an enthusiastic canal boat dweller. Barnaby has invited John to explore ideas of using the Macclesfield Canal in a celebration involving the waterway community.

Laurence Payot is a French digital artist based in Liverpool who makes out of the ordinary things happen in ordinary places. Using interactive technology she will explore silk and the communities connected through its manufacturing process.  Laurence is also part of ‘SHIFT’ a year-long digital arts programme being led by Cheshire East Council.

These are just four of ten projects which are funded by Arts Council England until April 2017.  Details of the remaining projects will be announced in the new year. Now biennial, with a festival every two years, Barnaby is using the ‘short’ year to build new partnerships.

“We  now have the time and money to invest in artists and performers” says Festival Director, Karl Wallace, “and with a Community Engagement and Outreach Coordinator, we also have expertise to broaden public participation. It’s a great opportunity to get more adults and children directly involved, including people who perhaps haven’t felt Barnaby was for them. We’re excited by the possibilities!”.

By Easter there will be established relationships and a solid evidence base on which to build plans for the festival which runs from Friday 15 to Sunday 24 June, 2018.

Barnaby is also starting the conversation about ideas for the rest of the festival programme with a meeting on Thursday 26 January, 8pm at St Michael’s Church, Market Place. All are welcome to contribute on the ‘Roots/Routes’ theme.  For more details contact mail@barnabyfestival.org.uk or visit www.barnabyfestival.org.uk.