Azure, Chained and Quilled , Sarah Sparkes, 2020
“5 rowers hooded and cloaked, with oars and anchor…steered by a porcupine, Azure, chainedand quilled’ *Description of Gravesend Coat of arms from 1619
Visit the LV21 website to see documentation of this performance:
https://lv21.co.uk/whats-on/hell-or-high-water/#SARAH_S
Curated by Caroline Gregory
Developed in partnership with LV21
Supported by Arts Council England
Sarah Sparkes’ work explores the Gravesham legend of the giant blue porcupine. This magnificent and magical creature features on the old Gravesend and Gravesham Borough Council coat of arms, appearing, in the former, at the helm of a vessel rowed by five hooded figures. In heraldic symbolism the porcupine symbolises invincibility and the oarsmen
demonstrate the importance of Gravesend’s position on the Thames. Sarah Sparkes’ work ‘Azure, Chained and Quilled’ is drawn from her research into Gravesend’s wonderful heraldic emblem and will culminate in a performance ondoard LV21. Will the giant blue porcupine be released from her chains and willing to navigate us to safety?
LV21 is an arts organisation based aboard a historic, 40 metre steel-hulled lightship, moored on the River Thames in Gravesend and transformed into a floating cultural space and performance facility. Working with partners across artforms LV21 devise, deliver and document art, culture, education, heritage and wellbeing initiatives.
HELL OR HIGH WATER
Free Online Art Event | Friday 20 – Saturday 22 November
Online content launched at midday on Friday 20 November
Curated by Caroline Gregory
Developed in partnership with LV21
Supported by Arts Council England
A weekend of live art celebrating life’s transitions with tales of adversity, survival and inevitable transformation. Due to Covid-19 restrictions now adapted into a digital event available for audiences to experience and explore entirely online!
10 artists have been specially commissioned to respond to the historic lightship LV21 moored on the River Thames in Gravesend and the theme of Hell or High Water. The event features short films of live performances including the appearance of the Gravesham’s Blue Sea Porcupine, a special printable zine to accompany a genderqueer deities and a ritual to perform at home, a ghostly soundscape/performance and tour from the bowels of the ship, magnetic artworks filmed onsite, a specially designed wrap around video experience and phone app, a moving personal/poetic video installation, a sing along transmission from the lookout post and hidden squashed sculptures nesting below decks. Accompanying family friendly activities developed by commissioned artists are available online, including instructions to make your own paper boats.
All of these and more exciting and inclusive contributions throughout the weekend from: Rachael House @rachaellhouse, Janet Currier @janetdcurrier, Sarah Doyle @sarahdoyleart, Rosalind
Faram @faram_rosalind, Tracey Frances @nunheadarts, Mikey Georgeson @bloodandbrambles, Julia Maddison @juliamaddison, Sarah Sparkes @thesarahsparkes and Monika Tobel@tobelart Joanna McCormick @joartmcc.
Hell or High Water takes inspiration from the rich heritage, historic significance and continuous transformation of the unique location and surrounding riverfront. LV21’s ongoing function, rescue, retrieval and transition is hugely relevant and symbolic and directly mirrors the themes of the
project.
Following five years of chronic illness and a near death experience, Caroline Gregory’s curatorial approach and current work is directed towards notions of survival and transition in the face of adversity and an exploring of the changes and transformations that often follow immense life challenges. Since the challenges of the Covid-19 crisis the themes of the event have become significantly more relevant. She says: “It is a great shame not to be able to offer audiences the live experience of exploring the actual ship and the artworks during these strange restricted times. However, we welcome people to join us for a magical virtual journey of wonder and discovery!”
Gary Weston’s short film documenting Hell or High Water, 2020 https://vimeo.com/481192728
For updates and further info including access to the event content: www.lv21.co.uk For press queries please contact: Caroline Gregory klinegreg52@gmail.com