Throughout the duration of the exhibition the boats were used as a venue for special marine and environmental discussions, sound installations, theatrical performances and interactive workshops.
The final Cabot Institute talk about the ocean and the environment was accompanied by a delicious sustainably caught fish supper cooked by local Michelin-Starred Chef Josh Eggleton. We discussed how the sea provides food, medicine, energy, protection, jobs and identity, but we are polluting, warming and acidifying it. The vessels showcased in Withdrawn illustrate a lifestyle and a food source that might someday no longer exist and their placement in Leigh Woods speaks to an ocean that was once much larger once and could be again. 23rd August
Into the Woods by In the Dark Radio. The audience wore a pair of special wireless headphones, and tuned in to a lovingly curated mix of radio stories, audio adventures, documentaries and surprising tales. Tales of wandering out into the wild, going where your feet take you, discovering new territory, and sleeping under the stars. Tales of getting lost, and getting found again. 3rd September.
A promenade performance of The Tempest, by the Butterfly Theatre as part of Bristol Shakespeare Festival. The boats of Withdrawn are stranded in the woods like their Tempest inhabitants; a long way from home. As Prospero tries to regain his power stranded in this strange place, he feeds on revenge – but in the end only love will enable him to recover what he’s lost. In this unique site responsive adaptation of The Tempest, Butterfly Theatre explored the themes of Luke Jerram’s work through the words of Shakespeare. The public were led on a journey through the woods to see how love and forgiveness overcame hatred in Shakespeare’s most beautiful, final play. 11th – 17th July.
David Ogden conducts Bristol’s accomplished chamber choir Exultate. As the sun set, Bristol’s accomplished chamber choir Exultate Singers, performed songs about the sea. Inspired by the artwork , they sang about the shrinking Cornish fishing industry. 28th June.
Two-Wheeled Drive-In movie night. Life Aquatic and JAWS were presented in the woods as part of the Withdrawn programme. The film JAWS had large implications on the way the public perceived the sea. The film led to a sharp increase in leisure shark fishing, but also more scientific research in to the species. Find out more about the film’s impact here. 3rd – 4th July.
The Nightwalk by Tom Bailey, as part of Mayfest, took the public on an extraordinary journey through the woods, with audio recordings from Jez Riley French. 14-16 May & 21-23 May.
University of Bristol, The Cabot Institute host talk about the challenges of environmental change
Discussion between: Prof Rich Pancost (Professor of Biogeochemistry and Director of the Cabot Institute), Dr Suzanne Jennions (Lecturer in Palaeobiology) and Luke Jerram (Artist). Discussion about the science of the sea and the impact of humanity on the ocean. We considered the history of fishing, what fish we eat and how we choose the seafood we eat and what makes it sustainable or not. Guests were invited to bring picnics! 27th June.
Special Children’s Story Book Reading Author Oliver Rigby read his new book The Bristol Giants and the Severn Seas. The book describes how the boats of Withdrawn were actually placed into the woodland by Ghyston, one of the Bristol Giants. You can download the free ebook from www.bristolgiants.co.uk
Conducted by David Ogden the Bristol Youth Choir performed songs inspired by the sea. 25th April.
Bristol Walking Festival presents The Wonders of Leigh Woods Walk – Luke gave a short talk about the arts project at the boats. 31st May.
#withdrawn
