In the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum stores there is a beautiful stuffed swan. A dead bird of great beauty and strength, it lives unseen amongst other treasures that the city holds in its underground bunkers. In this installation the swan will be placed on the exhibition case in the medieval basement beneath the Tourist Information Centre and exhibited to public view. The swan will be carefully positioned so that the continuous drips of water which fall from the ceiling onto the exhibition case at present land on its head and drip down its neck. The swan will be left in this position for an indefinite period of time and its plumage will be curated in such a way as to undergo the natural processes which such an environment necessitates. Audiences will be able to look the swan in the eye and watch these processes of degradation from inside the medieval basement itself. A video camera will also be installed and wired to a reinforced plasma screen, positioned horizontally on a round plinth in the adjacent Garden of Peace. In this way a live image of the swan as it rots can be seen by the public above ground.
who:
Adrian Palka teaches at Coventry University Performing Arts and works internationally in performance and installation.
why:
Coventry's story is built on destruction. The Blitz, demolition, deindustrialisation, ghost town, ruins. Its medieval heart embalmed in concrete. A symbol of living death. Can the city draw on its own resources to truly come back to life again? Where are its sites of renewal? What are its future symbols of beauty and strength? In its vaults the city holds unseen treasures of architecture, art and nature. Can these be the secret of its future health? Using a little-known heritage site in the city centre and an unused object from the stores of the city's museum, this installation seeks to pose these questions.
where:
The medieval basement was the cellar of a merchant's house originally owned by the Benedictine Priory which stood where the Cathedral now stands. Often thought of as haunted, scientists investigating the basement recorded a mysterious, intermittent, low frequency sound. They could not identify the source of the sound, but concluded it may account for the feelings of unease.
when:
Indefinitely
Can be viewed in person by visiting the basement, or via the plasma screen in the adjacent Garden of Peace.
Venue Access Audit (carried out by the artist/producer).
This is intended as a guide for other artists and producers considering staging an event in the venue. However please note that the guidance given here is a subjective assessment of the venue as of May 2004.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
For key to symbols, see Access page
|
Is there a suitable get-in to the venue/site for equipment etc?
Via stairs.
Is the venue accessible to wheelchair users? and if not, what would it take to make it accessible?
No - a lift would be required. However, a video link-up to a nearby plasma screen would be proposed as a compromise solution.
Are there toilets, including a wheelchair accessible toilet?
No, bu available nearby at Herbert Art Gallery.
Is there an electricity supply?
Yes. But the venue is wet.
Are there fire exits?
Via stairs
Is there space for bar/hospitality?
No
Is there space for box office/curator/front of house?
In Tourist Information Centre (above).
Is the venue/site family or child friendly?
No
How easy is it to find the venue?
Straightforward - but due to its concealed location, signing may be required.
Is there car parking nearby?
Yes
What might be a good interpretation solution for your show? signer?audio description? another? can it be fully integrated into the concept?
Audio Description
The Virtual Fringe is © Talking Birds, each virtual project is © the artist.
