GeoARTcache
Three unique temporary art interventions are to be created in North Yorkshire Wolds by artists from rednile projects in collaboration with artist Katie May Shipley. The artworks are part of Geo Art Cache, a project which merges art with high tech treasure hunting.
The hidden art works will be part of a trail; begining in Duggleby and ending in Weaverthorpe, which will transform sites of interest using colour, form, local materials and crafts. The artists have taken inspiration from the Gypsey Race, an intermittant stream that runs through the heart of the Rydale Wolds. Each piece will attempt to reveal its mysteries, exploring scientific research and folklore to why the stream appears and disappears through villages on it’s way to the sea.
Over this bank holiday weekend you are invited to join in the geo art cache hunt and take part in activities along the Gypsey Race set in beautiful countryside. As you discover each artwork you will be asked to create miniature artwork gifts, using skills and techniques linked to the artwork. These gifts will be hidden inside 'geocache boxes' for the next visitors to find and keep so will continue to change hands as new visitors find each artwork and create a new gift along the trail.
What is Geocaching? It is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. www.geocaching.com
About the Geo Art Cache project:
Geo Art Cache is the first project of its kind where a new series of art based geocaches created by artists, which entice you to explore different locations across North Yorkshire whilst experiencing different artforms along the way. Geo Art Cache is commissioned and supported by Chrysalis Arts in partnership with Ryedale Council. www.geoartcache.com
When: Sunday 29th May and Monday 30th May, 11am- 3pm each day
Where: Trail starts at the Duggleby Howe, Duggleby, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17
Coordinates for Geocaching: N: 54'05.629' W: 000'31.454
Nearest Train Station: Malton
Please Note: All artworks and activities are outdoors and in a rural setting. This trail will involve some walking and you are advised to wear suitable clothing. Toilets and refreshments are available at the nearby town of Malton, join us at the final artwork in Weaverthorpe for refreshments in the Blue Bell pub.
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Art works commissioned for the trail:
Duggleby Howe - Found Object
Found Object plays on the site where it is placed, Duggleby Howe; one of the largest round barrows in Britain. The barrow is believed to have been used for burial and possibly sacrifice (suggested by J.R Mortimer in 1890) but has never been fully excavated or carbon dated, although it is believed to be Neolithic.
Found Object is a playful response to the speculative ‘what ifs’ of the nature of the site and uses a chalk cast ejector seat placed on a packaging crate with a weather balloon attached to it. Where has this object come form? Has it just been unearthed or has it just landed? The work will raise many questions about site and location as well as drawing attention to the unknown and unanswered questions that surround the site and its historical context.
Duggleby Waterfall - Water Catcher
The intermittent Gyspey Race is in full flow in Duggleby and folklore suggests that local people used to throw valuable possesions into the stream to bring good luck. The Water catcher installation captures the magical essence of the Gypsey Race by using hundreds of paper water bombs suspended above the water acting as vessels and glistening jewels to highlight the beauty of water. The process-based work invites visitors to participate to keep the artwork alive over the two days by making a water bomb to fill with the Gypsey Race water and add to the installation.
Weaverthorpe Village – Racemaker
Racemaker has been made in response to a part of the Gypsey Race where the water has disappeared for many years. When we first visited Weaverthorpe we were struck by how the village is still focused around the trenches that the river once ran through and how villagers still drive and walk over bridges without the running water. In response to this we wanted to recreate the sound of the Gypsey Race, in an attempt to bring the river back to life. Racemaker is a large contraption that consists of several rainsticks, as you turn the handle the contraption continuously recreates the sound of rainfall, rainsticks are instruments that were invented in Chile and Peru and were used to try to evoke rainstorms. Inside the rainsticks are hundreds of seeds, the seeds that we have used are perennial wax and green-winged orchid, these are special rarities that occur naturally in the area. At the end of the weekend these seeds will be spread in the local area and given away for people to plant at home.
About rednile Projects:
rednile Projects Ltd is creatively directed by professional artists Suzanne Hutton, Michael Branthwaite and Janine Goldsworthy. rednile work site specifically in a wide range of materials, reacting to a space or making artwork exploring the history or future of a site. Projects are always sensitively linked to an area and often involve research and experimentation to reveal stories, unique features, the fabric of a place and the shapes of the landscape. rednile use a wide range of methodologies to explore a space or site, collaborating with selected artists, designers, architects and specialists. Colour, light and unexpected materials are often used to create pieces that are playful and transform spaces. rednile's projects often contribute to wider regeneration strategies where the creative process develops from creative consultation leading to temporary art works, permanent art works and design features that have been integrated from the very beginning. rednile projects encourages professionalism in the arts and are committed to engaging others in the exploration and enjoyment of art. www.rednile.org
Katie May Shipley:
Katie May is an artist based in the Staffordshire Moorlands, she has a studio at Airpsace Gallery and is a keen member of the geocaching community. www.katieshipley.com
Chrysalis Arts:
Chrysalis Arts are a North Yorkshire based arts organisation providing innovative commissions, arts training, and residency programmes as well as running events such as North Yorkshire Open Studios and the Slow Art Trail. www.creativenorthyorkshire.com