Strange happenings in a Suffolk field

PERFORMANCE REVIEW: AN EDIBLE COMPASS at the Musuem of East Anglian Life

Photo credit: Pacitti Company 2011, photos by Caroline Guthrie

 On a cloudy Saturday at the end of July a big friendly crowd of East Anglians gathered in a field. We were there to feast and to be filmed, sharing and nibbling goodies created from the On Landguard Point Cookbook, an online collection of recipes contributed by locals. This was a public performance of a unique kind, with participants being simultaneously actors and collaborators in the creation of the film, and observers of the film-makers, with their strange equipment and phrases. As one expects in film-making there was plenty of lingering and confusion, but the atmosphere was pleasantly jolly as camaraderie built among the feasters sharing cookies and chatter with their new friends. By the time the camera passed by on the second take we were all naturals, happy to “perform” as per our instructions, some passing plates of food, others blowing kazoos or merely conversing animatedly.

This lively performance banquet was part of An Edible Compass, a whole weekend of events held at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket, Suffolk. The past week has been devoted to making 205 scarecrows, one for each of the countries participating in next year’s Olympic Games, which will be filmed after dark. The weekend culminates on Sunday with The Ring, another opportunity for participants to be caught on film at a crazy-sounding event which takes place on a large circle cut from turf, and features horses, drawing, lots of guitarists and plenty of cake.

All of this footage is just the beginning for On Landguard Point, an exciting project to create a film depicting what “home” means for the residents of the East of England. The next few months will see Pacitti Company creating a whole series of public events, allowing thousands to participate and feature in the final film, set to be realised in spring 2012 as part of the Cultural Olympiad celebrations. These events include Dig and Sow, running from the 27th of August to the 18th of September, which subject the gardens of locals to 205 archaeological excavations led by Carenza Lewis of Time Team fame, as well as the premiere of a new musical work by Michael Nyman, On Landguard Point, at the Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe on the 23rd of September. In the words of Helen Lax, Regional Director of the Arts Council England this is our opportunity to “be the stars of a feature film”, an Olympic-inspired chance to present the country’s artistic and cultural life alongside the sports. It’s a great chance for everyone in the East to get involved, especially given that many of the big public events, like the Dig and Sow, are free.

In all On Landguard Point is a fascinating project, a string of enticingly eccentric events which offer a chance for us to contribute to something special, creating something about where we are from. It is performance, but not as most people know it, and for this reason, along with the chance for your moment of fame, I’d highly recommend going along. If unique and unconventional is your bag, get yourself along to some of these events.

Originally reviewed for "The Public Reviews". On Landguard Point will be creating a range of public events across the East of England until the 25th of September