Time and Tide: Resilience, Adaptation, Art
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: English
Abstract
Our ability to understand and to respond to climate crises requires input from the arts and humanities. We know that visual artists, writers, and humanities scholars are particularly adept at communicating between science and public, but the arts are also essential partners to the sciences. Art has a critical role to play in adapting to uncertainty and to developing solutions to urgent environmental issues.
This project investigates how one permanent, public art initiative, Time and Tide Bell, has been an impetus for community action on climate change, a centrepiece of science and arts programming, and a catalyst for environmental and socio-economic resilience. The work consists of a number of large cast bronze sculptural bells that have been installed at sites all around the British coast, from Appledore, Devon to Bosta Beach, Lewis. Designed by artist Marcus Vergette with sound engineer Neil Mclauchlan, the action of tidal waves causes the bells to ring in richly sonorous tones, a persistent reminder of changing seas and our connections to them.
Each bell, different in form, position, harmonic tone, and patina (due to water-borne contaminants) has come to reflect the particular identity of its location. To varying degrees, the bells have become part of regional mythos, symbols of climate change and of changing landscapes, focal points for education about biodiversity, and stimuli for health and wellbeing. What they have in common, though, is the way they toll rising sea levels, an inescapably resonant reminder of the impact of climate change on coastal landscapes and coastal livelihoods.
This embedded research will focus on six locations: two in Devon, two in Wales, one in the East Midlands and one in the North West. The Appledore, Devon bell is at the centre of an active community arts group and educational curriculum. The second Devon community, Brixham, will be a test case for new community programming, as its bell will be installed in September of this year. The two bells in Wales (at Cemaes and Aberdyfi) are particularly connected to geology, ancient submerged landscapes, myth and Welsh identity, and industrial heritage. Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire and Morecambe Bay, Lancashire both have unique seascapes and biodiverse marine ecosystems, which feature in active Citizen Science programmes. Both Mablethorpe and Morecambe have been the location of historical and/or recent coastal disasters, and in the case of Morecambe, socio-economic downturn related to tourism and health decline related to poverty and inequality.
This project investigates the ways that the Time and Tide Bell initiative has catalysed these different communities, stimulated discussion and action on environmental, educational, and cultural issues. It will also identify what we can do better. It will test climate change art and 'transitional arts practices': how can these types of art initiatives help communities contend with 'solastalgia', the sense of distress caused by negative and often dramatic change to environments? How can climate change art facilitate the transformation of climate change science into community action? How can we use myth, local history, memory and regional narrative to make threatened and threatening coasts, and their communities more resilient? How can art help us understand more deeply the connections between climate change, marine biodiversity, and human health and wellbeing? And, how might co-creative public events programming, which combines word and image, science and creativity, fact and memory, enhance the transformational potential of public-facing arts?
This project investigates how one permanent, public art initiative, Time and Tide Bell, has been an impetus for community action on climate change, a centrepiece of science and arts programming, and a catalyst for environmental and socio-economic resilience. The work consists of a number of large cast bronze sculptural bells that have been installed at sites all around the British coast, from Appledore, Devon to Bosta Beach, Lewis. Designed by artist Marcus Vergette with sound engineer Neil Mclauchlan, the action of tidal waves causes the bells to ring in richly sonorous tones, a persistent reminder of changing seas and our connections to them.
Each bell, different in form, position, harmonic tone, and patina (due to water-borne contaminants) has come to reflect the particular identity of its location. To varying degrees, the bells have become part of regional mythos, symbols of climate change and of changing landscapes, focal points for education about biodiversity, and stimuli for health and wellbeing. What they have in common, though, is the way they toll rising sea levels, an inescapably resonant reminder of the impact of climate change on coastal landscapes and coastal livelihoods.
This embedded research will focus on six locations: two in Devon, two in Wales, one in the East Midlands and one in the North West. The Appledore, Devon bell is at the centre of an active community arts group and educational curriculum. The second Devon community, Brixham, will be a test case for new community programming, as its bell will be installed in September of this year. The two bells in Wales (at Cemaes and Aberdyfi) are particularly connected to geology, ancient submerged landscapes, myth and Welsh identity, and industrial heritage. Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire and Morecambe Bay, Lancashire both have unique seascapes and biodiverse marine ecosystems, which feature in active Citizen Science programmes. Both Mablethorpe and Morecambe have been the location of historical and/or recent coastal disasters, and in the case of Morecambe, socio-economic downturn related to tourism and health decline related to poverty and inequality.
This project investigates the ways that the Time and Tide Bell initiative has catalysed these different communities, stimulated discussion and action on environmental, educational, and cultural issues. It will also identify what we can do better. It will test climate change art and 'transitional arts practices': how can these types of art initiatives help communities contend with 'solastalgia', the sense of distress caused by negative and often dramatic change to environments? How can climate change art facilitate the transformation of climate change science into community action? How can we use myth, local history, memory and regional narrative to make threatened and threatening coasts, and their communities more resilient? How can art help us understand more deeply the connections between climate change, marine biodiversity, and human health and wellbeing? And, how might co-creative public events programming, which combines word and image, science and creativity, fact and memory, enhance the transformational potential of public-facing arts?
People |
ORCID iD |
Corinna Wagner (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Flint, S;
(2022)
One Chance Left
Brookes, E.
(2023)
Insights: UK Climate Resilience Programme
Flint, S
(2023)
We Still Have a Chance
Title | 'Wicked Problems' |
Description | Joint exhibition with collaborator, Tara Nicholson (artist, PhD candidate, University of British Columbia) on loss of species, climate change and climate science. We each produced artworks. |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | -community workshops on unstainable art, symposium and conference on the history of climate change, poetry readings, artist talks -this project will continue and evolve in future years |
URL | https://news.exeter.ac.uk/research/arts-culture/new-photographic-display-captures-the-more-than-huma... |
Title | Corinna Wagner: TerraOceanus |
Description | Corinna Wagner: TerraOceanus was a major solo exhibition at the Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Devon, an award-winning gallery supported by Arts Council England and recognized by The Marsh Award for Gallery Education for its exceptional learning programme and community activities. The exhibition ran from June to August, 2023, and had a roster of events, including poetry readings, talks, workshops, music nights around environmental themes, and school programmes. It also had a section for University of Exeter student work. |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | - attracted wide audiences - linked to schools programme (supported by lottery funds) - a full roster of events: poetry readings, hands-on workshops, talks, music, links with science community (who participated in events), film viewings - radio and newspaper reports - excellent feedback and reviews, which include audience surveys about changing behaviours with respect to observable climate change, flooding, land reclamation, and the decline of community infrastructure |
URL | https://www.thelmahulbert.com/?q=exhibitions/corinna-wagner-terraoceanus |
Title | Exhibition 'Above and Below' |
Description | Exhibition that involved a number of environmental artists, across a variety of media. The exhibition included activities related to water environments, flooding and land erosion. I contributed creative writing, handmade books, readings, and fine art photography. |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | audience participation school programming outdoor activities related to wellbeing and coastal ecologies |
URL | https://www.artrabbit.com/events/above-and-below |
Title | Exhibition 'Unstable Ground' |
Description | This was a group show of environmental artists working in a range of media. I contributed creative writing, handmade books and fine art photography. |
Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | Public audience feedback noted changed attitudes Student engagement Connections with local groups involved in beach cleanup |
URL | https://www.studiokind.org.uk/unstable-ground |
Title | On the Strandline - Prodigal UPG performance |
Description | A powerful performance by Prodigal UPG, about costal flooding, followed by talks from internationally renowned climate scientists, artists, writers. Accompanied by an exhibition of my fine art photography and poetry. |
Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Impact | Student 'Be the Change Society' engaged with hands-on environmental activities, student well-being and resilience. |
URL | https://prodigalupg.com/portfolio/on-the-strandline/ |
Description | What were the most significant achievements from the award? 1. connecting otherwise disparate groups--schoolchildren, creative industries, climate scientists, university students, members of the general public--to act on climate change 2. to observe and to further develop how arts and humanities based approaches can bring about observable, demonstrative social and environmental change. 3. to develop new ways of using creativity to engage audiences, particularly on urgent issues like coastal flooding and biodiversity loss. To what extent were the award objectives met? If you can, briefly explain why any key objectives were not met. 1. All award objectives were met; indeed, it was most satisfying to see how collaboration and co-creativity produced so many connections, insights, and activities. The project demonstrated clearly how beneficial arts and humanities approaches are to facing 'wicked problems' that seem insurmountable, or to address issues of health and well-being as a result of such problems. We need to expand and grow cultural and arts-based programmes such as these, as we face every increasing environmental crises. How might the findings be taken forward and by whom? These findings could be taken forward by anyone interested in arts-based approaches to climate change. |
Exploitation Route | Other cultural institutions--museums, galleries, public arts initiatives--could model new programmes on those produced in this project. Academics working in the arts and humanities could take this research forward to develop further collaborative and co-creative policies and programmes of research. Others could continue to define and measure impacts of arts and humanities based approaches. |
Sectors | Creative Economy Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |
URL | https://timeandtidebell.org/ |
Description | Findings have been used by the Time & Tide Bell organization to increase public outreach on environmental issues, to contribute to 'levelling up' and to develop existing Citizen Science and arts-based programmes. Findings have also been used to develop new methods of translating artwork and creative activities into action on climate change. Findings have been used by public museums and galleries to increase and diversify community engagement, particularly on climate change issues. Published findings have been presented to policy makers in government and in climate institutions. Have had visual and literary work presented at COP27 & COP28. |
Sector | Creative Economy,Environment,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal Policy & public services |
Description | University of British Columbia |
Organisation | University of British Columbia |
Country | Canada |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Part of a collaboration "Telling Stories: The Humanities in an Age of Planetary Agenda-Setting". I am part of a joint exhibition and workshop with artists and writers from UBC. |
Collaborator Contribution | Part of a collaboration "Telling Stories: The Humanities in an Age of Planetary Agenda-Setting". I am part of a joint exhibition and workshop with artists and writers from UBC. |
Impact | Exhibition Workshops |
Start Year | 2023 |
Description | 'Coastal Connections' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Dialogue and oral testimony gathering to create an archive of coastal narratives about climate change and lost industries. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | 'On the Strandline' performance |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Performance about flooding due to climate change; included a pop-up exhibition, and a panel of climate experts, artists, and writers, as well as the student group 'Be the Change'. Audience members discussed what grassroots changes could be made in their communities |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | COP27 publication |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Creative writing and photography, which came out of this grant, contributed to COP27 events, performances, publication, in UK and in Egypt. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Exhibition 'Above and Below' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Exhibition and roster of events (poetry readings, workshops, music, talks and walks) on climate change; also a digital exhibition, interviews, social media. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.artrabbit.com/events/above-and-below |
Description | Exhibition 'Unstable Ground' - workshops, talks, readings |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Exhibition included creative workshops for all ages, poetry readings, music nights, talks, and walks |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.studiokind.org.uk/unstable-ground |
Description | Futures Festival 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Sustainable photography and prose writing about nature workshop |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.agile-rabbit.com/futures-2023/ |
Description | Joint Exhibition 'Wicked Problems' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | A joint exhibition with artist and PhD candidate Tara Nicholson, University of British Columbia. The exhibition was called 'Wicked Problems', as it focused on seemingly insurmountable climate and species crises. The exhibition included other events: workshops, artist's talks, a symposium and a conference. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://news.exeter.ac.uk/research/arts-culture/new-photographic-display-captures-the-more-than-huma... |
Description | Solo Exhibition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Corinna Wagner: TerraOceanus was a major solo exhibition at the Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Devon, an award-winning gallery supported by Arts Council England and recognized by The Marsh Award for Gallery Education for its exceptional learning programme and community activities. The exhibition ran from June to August, 2023, and had a roster of events, including poetry readings, talks, workshops, music nights around environmental themes, and school programmes. It also had a section for University of Exeter student work. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.thelmahulbert.com/?q=exhibitions/corinna-wagner-terraoceanus |
Description | Time and Tide Bell Demonstration, reading by John Clarke, interviewe |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 'Tintinnabulation', a performance with Marcus Vergette, who demonstrated and played music with a Time and Tide Bell, gave a talk about seas and sustainability, a talk and reading by John Clarke of the Red River Project, an interview by me. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.thelmahulbert.com/?q=exhibitions/corinna-wagner-terraoceanus |
Description | eco-art and writing workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 30 people attended eco-art and writing workshop, conducted with Dr Sally Flint. We had discussions about sustainable practices and about changes we can make to the materials we use. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.thelmahulbert.com/?q=exhibitions/corinna-wagner-terraoceanus |
Description | radio interview |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Radio Interview with Radio Devon about sustainability, climate change, resilience at the coasts and the role of the arts. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.thelmahulbert.com/?q=exhibitions/corinna-wagner-terraoceanus |