Key Dates:
28th June, Pendle Festival of Culture, Nelson
2nd - 3rd August, Jinny’s Barn, Dunsop Bridge, Clitheroe
30th - 31st August, Gisburn Forest Hub, Clitheroe
Are You Lost? by Rob St. John, welcomes you into the heart of the Forest of Bowland to discover the stories that shape the landscape, from the people who live close by, through a series of sound, film and textile installations.
Immerse yourself in the sounds, sights and fabric of this remarkable landscape, as you step inside the installation to understand what makes the area tick.
Uncover the histories and personal stories of Bowland, delve deeper into your understanding of what the area represents and consider your own thoughts on this landscape and its social, and political heritage and future.
Over the last eight months, locally based artist, Rob St John, has been speaking to people inside and outside the Forest of Bowland to better understand a wide range of perceptions of this often-misunderstood part of England. He has been collaborating with communities, in particular young people in Burnley and Nelson, to develop artwork that explores themes of environmental justice, land ownership and access, human and non-human voices and resistance, as well as cultural and political histories. Rob has held walks, talks, workshops, creative conversations and activities with local young people, schools, and local and national experts and community groups. A series of podcasts share his explorations and conversations with the people he has met along the way.
Rob’s film and soundscapes have been created through these conversations and workshops, and weave together voices, field recordings and choral improvisations. The textile element of the installation is a collaboration with Lancashire textile artist Kate O’Farrell, drawing upon the cotton mill weaving practices of East Lancashire and the textile traditions of Gujarat in India, alongside natural materials and processes derived from the Bowland landscape.
The installation will gradually move deeper into Bowland, from the urban surroundings of Nelson to the rural setting of Dunsop Bridge, before finishing in the wilds of Gisburn Forest with a weekend of activities and singing performances.
