Artists in Residence
For the Temple’s 80th Anniversary in November 2018, WCIA trialled our first ever ‘Artists in Residence’ programme with the aim of drawing alternative, youthful and creative contributions to the Temple80 exhibition, visitor experience and events programme. This proved an immensely positive experience, and one which WCIA would be keen to explore again should funding opportunities emerge.
Arts collaborations with WCIA
Although WCIA as a small charity is not in a position to offer funding or to commission artworks, we welcome opportunities to collaborate with and support Welsh artists seeking to explore issues of war, peace and internationalism. Please contact walesforpeace@wcia.org.uk
Temple80 ‘Artists in Residence’ Programme, Autumn 2018
WCIA formulated a brief over Summer 2018 for an ‘Artist in Residence’, and recruited / commissioned young composer Jon Berry from Porthcawl.
Jon composed a soundscape installation to accompany the exhibition – responding musically to the spaces in the building – and also recruited and worked with a small team of complementary artists from different disciplines to add depth to the Temple80 experience, stimulating the following artworks:
Jon Berry from Porthcawl composed 3 sound installations, fusing music with human sounds from 8 counties of Wales. The 3 soundtracks played separately in the Entrance Hall, Crypt and Council Chamber; but also ‘interlaced’ together as 1 piece, which was brought together for the WW100 weekend.
Iffy Iwobi from Cardiff / London collaborated with Jon to perform an 8 minute composition called ‘Assemble’ speciaslly produced for the BAME Remembrance Service on 2nd The piece fused Jon’s music with African and world music to create a tribute to the fallen of Britain’s ex-Empire, that was played on Wales’ Radio Stations over Armistice weekend.
- Will Salter from Penarth created ‘the Guiding Hand’ booklet and short film, an ‘alternative tour’ of the Temple of Peace that focused on spatial awareness and alternative thinking – very popular with children!
Ness Owens from Anglesey created 5 poems responding to facets of the Wales for Peace exhibition, that were then integrated into the displays.
- Hazel Elstone from Cardiff / Bristol created a multi coloured fabric wreath of Poppies for the BAME Remembrance Service, which remains on permanent display as part of the interpretation within the Crypt of the Temple of Peace.
- Jon Chase from Pontypridd, an Afro Caribbean rapper, performed a ‘Rap’ that was integrated into the Temple80 film (see below).
Beyond the ‘Artists in Residence, additional creative events for Temple80 included:
- Lynn Morris from Journeymen Theatre produced a performance of ‘The Bundle’, a play exploring the human rights of refugee women from Chechnya seeking sanctuary in the UK today – organised alongside Cardiff Amnesty Group and complemented with a WCIA-led discussion evening on refugees and sanctuary.
- Holly Ireland led a comedy night ‘Stand up for Peace’ which was the ‘feelgood finale’ of the whole Temple80 programme – in which 5 comedians deconstructed issues around peace past and present.