In November 2016 we issued an invitation to gather in Heavitree Pleasure Grounds during the darkest months of the year; to explore what the darkness reveals in a series of mini-events designed to illuminate and celebrate Heavitree Park.
We also challenged a group of young, local photographers to take images of
the park in darkness. Working as the Macula Collective, they recorded the Park, during the coldest darkest months, as you've never seen it before!
The Snow Moon Feb 2017 - taken by Chris Spinks
And we were proud to present the culmination of this work in the Park in the Dark Photography Exhibition - 18th February 2017 and to work alongside Park Life Heavitree and their pop-up cafe
Over 200 Heavitree residents came to share a wonderful early Spring afternoon with us!
We also challenged a group of young, local photographers to take images of
the park in darkness. Working as the Macula Collective, they recorded the Park, during the coldest darkest months, as you've never seen it before!
The Snow Moon Feb 2017 - taken by Chris Spinks
And we were proud to present the culmination of this work in the Park in the Dark Photography Exhibition - 18th February 2017 and to work alongside Park Life Heavitree and their pop-up cafe
Over 200 Heavitree residents came to share a wonderful early Spring afternoon with us!
"Brilliant"
"Great work!"
"Lovely photos"
"Lovely day"
"Thank you for all your work, it's so interesting and thanks for getting local people involved"
"Good community event"
"Great, thank you"
"Great work!"
"Lovely photos"
"Lovely day"
"Thank you for all your work, it's so interesting and thanks for getting local people involved"
"Good community event"
"Great, thank you"
The Park in the Dark Project from the beginning ....
November/December 2016
Arts therapy reminiscence - Jack Simpson House
We were thrilled to provide two sessions for the residents of Jack Simpson House where we were able to take to Park to them. Through sounds and smells and memory we captured some wonderful thoughts and moments relating to childhood, parks and play.
We look forward to working with them again.
Recreating The Piv! - In the Moonlight Shadow Memory Marquee
After some lively discussion on the Exeter Memories facebook page, it emerged that there was a residing fondness for the old Pavilion, the favourite haunt of many of Heavitree teenagers all through the 70's and 80's.
'"It was good when it was raining, I was always down the park with my dog so to stop my mascara running, always made a dash for the piv! As you walked up the path between the tennis courts, it was there, the facing side was open, supported by pillars, there were wooden benches in it, and a hatch that swung down, you could pay for the putting green, borrow the clubs, pay for tennis. It was covered in graffitti and failed arson attempts. It had a mock tudor interior/exterior, at the back it had concrete slabs with the roof covering it, and then grass quite steep up to 4 old swings, which were knocked down to build the skateboard bowl in about 1977." Sharon Mitchell, local resident.
So we re-created The Piv one evening in December, as the sun was setting, and we were joined by some of the lovely locals who were part of the discussion on the Exeter Memories page and also by some surprised and happy dog walkers, for a fun, memory-filled evening.
January's Wolf Moon
On 12th January we strolled with a hardy group of Heavitree folk keen to share the experience of the first Full Moon of 2017 in our own Park, complete with poetry and shared reflection. The moon did not disappoint and many would like to make this a regular occurrence. We're definitely up for that!
Stargazing with Dr Claire Davies of the University's Astrophysics Group
On Monday 23rd January over 30 warmly wrapped Heavitree folk gathered to hear a Planetarium Talk offered by Dr Claire Davies. The mist hung low, leaving a wonderful crisp clear sky above offering views of Orion, Taurus, Gemini, Cassiopaea, Auriga and a dazzling Venus. A really wonderful experience to share with our neighbours.
The Macula Collective at work in the Park in the Dark!
If you'd like to support this community-commissioned work then please do consider donating into the Commission Pot. Remember we never charge for any of our events but just ask you to pay-it-forward for the next project. You can give in confidence knowing that your Gift goes around and right around again, inside your own community. Or you can bring your contribution along to any of our events.
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Thank you!!