KRESEN KERNOW: EXPANDING THE ARCHIVE / A CELEBRATION OF THE RED RIVER
To celebrate and mark the culmination of the Red River research project a programme of talks, workshops and poetry took place at Kresen Kernow on Saturday 3rd February 2024. An accompanying exhibition was displayed in the main foyer of the archive building from 20th January to 29th February.
The event was produced and photographed by Field Notes, it was generously supported by FEAST and Kresen Kernow.
The day began with a talk from John Wedgwood Clarke and artist Mollie Goldstrom. Mollie shared some of the archival and natural sources that inspired the intricately drawn maps she made in response to the series of walks exploring the river which took place in 2021.
Viewers were invited to see Mollie’s drawings up close, and to view archival maps from Kresen Kernow’s collection.
A display of archive material, artwork and poetry unveiled the depth and breadth of the river’s histories and their ongoing impact.
A number of activities and prompts offered members of the public the opportunity to share their own thoughts, reflections and memories of the river.
Visitors were invited to make their own response to the river’s past and present through a programme of workshops that ran throughout the day. There were writing workshops led by John Wedgwood Clarke, with one session taking place in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Artist Naomi Frears ran two mono-print workshops introducing people to the technique and encouraging them to make layered images reflecting their own interest in or discoveries about the river.
After the workshops, John gathered everyone together for a poetry reading and the launch of Red River: At the Mouth. This limited edition artist’s booklet is the first published poem written by John as part of his extended period of research into the Red River. His text is accompanied by artwork from Naomi Frears.
John shared readings to celebrate the end of the research project, commissions and creative exploration that have taken place around the Red River over the last few years.
Mollie Goldstrom provided us with some delicious pasties she made with foraged ingredients, they were savoury on one end and sweet at the other - like a traditional miners pasty!
Copies of John’s book and limited edition prints of Mollie’s maps are available to purchase from Field Notes – info@fieldnotes.org.uk
The workshops were funded by FEAST Cornwall and the event was hosted by Kresen Kernow
