UNKNOWN UNKNOWNS (2020) is a project bringing together patient ambassadors for Blood Cancer UK and stem cell researchers working at the Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre. Through a series of stop-motion animation workshops held via Zoom, participants developed hand-cut animation sequences exploring their experiences of ‘the unknown’ in relation to living with blood cancer, the challenges of research and the global uncertainties of Covid-19. Animation materials included paper, velvet and issues of National Geographic published in 1960, the year Blood Cancer UK officially became a charity.
Commissioned by the Wellcome - MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute as part of its Public Engagement programme, project outcomes include an animated film featuring participants’ stop-motion sequences (Futuramic Unknown, 2020) and an installation for the Jeffery Cheah Biomedical Center at Cambridge Biomedical Campus (The Night the Mountains Moved, 2020).
Idle Hour is a choreographed intervention for a public square, with an immersive soundscape experienced through wireless headphones.
Situating listeners as protagonists of an unfolding narrative that warps time and heightens reality, Idle Hour brings together a group of strangers - inviting them to linger in the unknown of a familiar place while prioritising presence, observation and the power of communal action.
Idle Hour is made to be presented in any public square in any city in the world, where it will be performed by a local ensemble.
Made in collaboration with Will Heasman and Lizzie Ballinger.
Commissioned by Cambridge Junction.
Research & Development support from Arts Council England.
IDLE HOUR
24 June 2021
8.30pm
Midsummer Day
The first iteration of Idle Hour took place at Cambridge Leisure Park, featuring a local
ensemble of performers: Až Benfield-Clarke, Georgia Beresford-Jones, Lola Chirico, Martina Ghinetti, Bar Groisman, Tara Kearney, Saria Kelly, Mae, Anna Melander, Adie Mueller, Mihaela Petrova, Lily Simpkiss, Amy Vicary-Smith, Bethany Walker and Nikola Zarzycka, with voice recordings by Teele Uustani.
Produced by Cambridge Junction, with project support from Arts Council England and generous permissions from Savills.
Image: Claire Haigh