----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2006 9:10
PM
Subject: Waterways Project
Norwich's Dragon Hall is the oldest
existing merchant house of its kind in Europe. Parts of the building go
back to the 12thC, though its focus is on the 15thC, when Norwich became
England's second city via the wool trade with the lowlands of
Europe.
The building is going through a near £2 million pound
clean up/make over and should re-open in April. A brilliant young curator
took three of us for a tour. An astounding place. But beyond, John
took us on a near two hour tour of the riverside area in the dark! My head is
bulging with a sea of liquid history and what I/we can make from
this...
Artists Dominique Rey, Pat Derrick and myself have been
given a very small grant to work with/around Dragon Hall, next to the River
Wensum, whereby we produce an exhibit, an installation or another in
May/June.
What we're proposing to do is ridiculous: a small
mobile garden shed is the vehicle in which we gather material
about the historic River Wensum and thereby use the shed to attract passers by
to tell us of what they think of the river today. Pat and I (with a bit
of a performance streak in us) will 'call' people to the shed - to interview
them, etc.
There will be poetry - there will be life! Originally,
we had plans to put the shed on a pontoon on the river, but this would limit
people access. So, my plan is that we enact history: Dragon Hall was
originally built outside the City and still remains at a distance from the
centre. Hence, we hire a boat and take the shed (its history) into the city
centre - and thereby publicise this great building. Better still, Dragon Hall
want Patricia and I to create a performance in the space itself!
***
I'm either brave or stupid, for I'm giving up my day job
(teaching) this Easter.
All best, Rupert
