Museum of Now brings together diverse Torquay residents to co-create objects inspired by the collections at Torquay Museum and their own responses to contemporary local and global issues.
“I discovered my passion for clifftops, elephants and tangled knots. Also that everyone has something in common with everyone else and that the world is a wonderful place.”
Museum of Now has launched itself in Torquay with a successful open event at the Spanish Barn on June 14th. The Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey provided a beautiful, if austere, backdrop to a day of hands-on making alongside some thinking and talking about the things we are interested in exploring as people living in the area today.
Underpinning the whole Museum of Now project is the fact that all the materials used are either waste, recycled, or natural materials, many of them gathered in and around Torquay. The variety of objects we can make from this collection of seemingly random matter is extraordinary, and testament to our innate ability to be curious, inventive and creative.
The resulting objects, some of them created by parents together with their children, some by individuals, are as hugely varied as the people that made them. Given the opportunity to make with no limits on one of the tables, the creations were mind-boggling, from abstract pieces reminiscent of human tribal objects, to extraordinary flying dinosaurs made from seaweed.
On the Protection Shell table about 30 shells were made, looking like a cross between a tourist memento, a sacred talisman and a miniature world, these were loaded with the makers focus on one thing in nature that they wanted to protect. From Linden Trees to Bulgarian coral Reefs to the world’s bee population, the things we love and are drawn to protect are varied.
One of the makes we need more people to get involved in is the Grief and Gratitude Garland. Made up from waste papers and images from National Geographics and newspapers, we are exploring via making what makes us sad about the world or Torquay and equally what brings us joy. The resulting garland will be on display in late Autumn and we need anyone interested in helping make more of the ‘beads’ to get in touch (see contact details below).
Some of the artefacts that are being created will be on show at Torquay Museum in October last this year. If you are interested in following the project, taking part or finding out more about upcoming events and workshops, please sign up to our mailing list.
For more information visit http://www.encounters-arts.org.uk/index.php/museum-of-now/