Join artist Jo Roberts to explore the environs of Priory Place and become part of a guided tour with a difference. Priory Place is part of the largest redevelopment in the city since the post-war reconstruction, incorporating residential and cultural units, public squares and public artworks. Taking in the site of Coventry’s oldest cathedral, it is the latest in a long tradition for the city of mixing old and new together in an unexpected way. Jo's participatory journey encourages twelve participants at a time to explore the area, examining the grand gestures and the minutiae, and to respond by sharing their feelings, understanding and observations in the form of a Talking Tour. You can be assured that it will be fun and challenging. The session will last about two and a half hours and end with coffee, cake and a sense of having taken part in something very personal and special.
who:
Jo calls herself a Commentariographer and she comments on people and places by a variety of means. Her work is project based, and through the process such things as audio recordings, maps, and books are produced. Communication is central to her practice; with an interest in minutiae and the everyday.
why:
This is a site hidden from the rest of Coventry – though physically near its centre. It is designed in such a way that some parts of the site are concealed from others, comprising a series of interconnecting chambers, through which there is a constant movement of people: like a human heart, hidden but constantly in motion.
David Ward’s audio piece ‘Here’ celebrates the creativity of local people; likewise this tour gives people the opportunity to express themselves. The area encompasses the Visitor Centre, the kind of place from which audio guides can often be hired; this is an opportunity to collectively produce a tour with a difference.
where:
The tour takes place in the environs of the new Priory Place Visitor Centre.
The gardens and visitor centre have been built on the site of the cloister of Coventry's first cathedral. This cathedral church, which was destroyed during the dissolution of the monasteries, was not unearthed until over four hundred years later as part of the city's Millennium project, the Phoenix Initiative.
when:
One a day for five consecutive days covering a weekend.
Each session at a different time of the day.
12 people maximum
Two and a half hour duration
Suitable for any age group
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.
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For key to symbols, see Access page
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Is there a suitable get-in to the venue/site for equipment etc?
Yes
Is the venue accessible to wheelchair users?
Yes (with some reservations about the steepness of ramp from Millennium Place)
Are there toilets, including a wheelchair accessible toilet?
Yes, nearby
Is there an electricity supply?
Yes
Are there fire exits?
N/A
Is there space for bar/hospitality?
Yes
Is there space for box office/curator/front of house?
Yes
Is the venue/site family or child friendly?
Yes
How easy is it to find the venue?
Central location, easily accessible by public transport.
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?
Various forms of interpretation can make this event accessible to all.
links: Jo Roberts
The Virtual Fringe is © Talking Birds, each virtual project is © the artist.
