LU Arts and Charnwood Forest Geopark invited three artists to engage with this site of globally significant geology, as well as landscape rich with wildlife and heritage.

Following a period of research involving walking, recording and observing, the artists will present outputs that offer different perspectives on the natural environment and rich heritage of Charnwood Forest Geopark.

The day has been structured so that you can attend all three artist events, each located in different parts of the Geopark:

• Andrea Abbatangelo – Randomness: 10am-1pm, artist-led workshop, The Outwoods and Beacon Hill Country Park

Andrea will encourage a deeper engagement with nature through listening, observing and exploring the natural environment of the Geopark using smartphones, cameras and portable microscopes. Participants will study the plant life, stones and rock formations and discuss how biodiversity and geodiversity co-exist and interact with one another. Everyone who attends this workshop will receive a free copy of Andrea’s limited edition artist book which he has produced in response to his research for this project. The workshop will end with free hot drinks at Olivia’s Coffee Shop at The Outwoods.

• Frances Scott – Holotype (2024): 2pm-3pm, talk and moving image presentation, Woodhouse Eaves Youth and Community Centre

‘Holotype’ is a talk and presentation that comprises elements of an expanded film produced by Frances during her period of research. She invited writer Dave Tompkins and sound designer Chu-Li Shewring to imagine with her the possibilities of ‘replica’, the acoustic memory of the seafloor, and impressions of one of the earliest animal fossils which was found in 1956 by Tina Negus in Charnwood’s Ediacaran age rocks.

• Becky Lyon – Geohaptics. In touch with Morley Quarry: 1pm-4pm, moving image presentation and on-site artist interventions, St Mary’s in Charnwood Church and Morley Quarry

Becky has generated three moving image gestures contemplating the movement inherent in the ongoing shaping of Morley Quarry (Shepshed) and the intimate contact invoked between these rock bodies and her own. The moving image work will be available to view at St Mary’s in Charnwood Church with her artist interventions on site at Morley Quarry on the day.

All the events are free and open to all. Booking is required for Andrea’s workshop and Frances’ talk.

Please see the individual event pages for further details including locations, accessibility and online booking.