Exciting preparations for ‘This Land’ at Kestle Barton and the Keskerdh an Kammva-dro

Preparation is in full flow for the final ‘Tallys an Tir’ events, and they’re shaping up to be really exciting. These celebratory events will showcase a selection of the material that local groups have been collecting, as well as having a range of exciting activities for people to take part in.

Next on the calendar is ‘This Land’ which will be held at Kestle Barton in Manaccan over the weekend of the 31^st August-1^st September. As part of this we will have on display a series of digital stories made by the group, with local farmers and people who have worked the land. Alongside these will be old photographs, objects, maps and portraits from each person. Here is a taster, featuring a lovely conversation between local artist Louise McClary (louisemcclary.co.uk) and her friend and retired farmer Marleen Hosking.

Marleen's Story from StoryLines on Vimeo.

As well as the display there will also be screenings of other short films made over the project, including one featuring the photographs of John Head, a 4^th generation vet who photographed local farming families through the 1990’s.

We are also happy to have artist Julia Giles’ installation as part of the event. The Keskerdh an Kammva-dro (Procession around the Turnstile) is an installation and performance which draws upon ceremonies and rituals conducted locally to mark the cycle of the seasons. It was created by Julia Giles for ‘Site Non Site’ – the Newlyn Society of Artists’ exhibition at Kestle Barton in October 2012.  Julia grew up on a farm near Helston, where her family have lived and worked for five generations. Though she now lives in London, the land continues to be the focus of her artwork (see www.artworkjuliagiles.co.uk)

The Keskerdh will be held in the orchard at Kestle Barton at midday on Saturday August 31^st. The Kammva Dro installation will remain in place through September, with the accompanying video (The Seasons’ Turning ) on show in the Snack Shack.

Julia’s installation links in well with the work the project has carried out in the 3 local Primary Schools (Manaccan, Garras and St.Martin-in-Meanage) where schools celebrated the coming of Spring with colourful processions and Cornish chants. Films of these processions, produced in collaboration with the children, will also feature in the exhibition. We will also be holding a short workshop for families at 11am, to allow us to make instruments and accessories for the procession at midday.

All in all it’s very exciting- please do spread the word to all who may be interested.