I’ve been working as a digital artist on a digital short story collection, in collaboration with writer Michelle Green, sound designer Caro C and literary geographer Dr David Cooper.
Refugees, tourists, circus acts, smugglers, a destitute Russian princess and escapees from the industrial mainland: Hayling Island’s many sea-level lives are exposed through a digital story map and a series of spoken word events. Work in progress versions of short stories and audio were shared at three literary events across October 2017 held in Hayling, Manchester and Durham.
A true island completely surrounded by sea, Hayling is off the south coast of England in Hampshire, near Portsmouth. It is home to a very economically mixed population, including a working class community rich in overlooked histories, from the arcades and smugglers’ tunnels to the nearby military base. It is a place of resilience and contrasts, and as the water rises, there are no climate change deniers to be found.
Using remembered histories of local people and the geography of the island itself as inspiration, four Manchester-based artists, led by writer and spoken word artist Michelle Green will create an interactive digital map housing a short story collection and accompanying audio.
Durham Book Festival, at the Empty Shop TESTT Space on Sat 7th October, 5pm.
Tickets are £6 or £4.
Hayling Island Library event Sat 21st October 2017
Book free tickets here!
International Anthony Burgess Centre event Thursday 26th October 2017
Book free tickets here!
All events are supported by Arts Council England and New Writing North.