19.12.2011
special passport needed for journey to Other Worlds
A unique artistic collaboration turns a dilapidated building into a giant compendium of strange, amusing and haunting stories. Oxford, throughout May 2012
Imagine a building full of decaying rooms, each with a story to tell. Some large, some small, some full of memories, others full of cobwebs; some leading to strange secrets, others to a dead end.
Now these rooms, home of the future Story Museum in the heart of literary Oxford, have each been given a voice. In an exciting creative collaboration, 25 writers, paired with 25 other artists, will bring them to life in an installation, Other Worlds, inspired by the distinctive character of the building.
At the moment, The Story Museum is a warren of empty, dilapidated spaces. In 2014 it will be home to 1001 stories and much more. But before its transformation into a fully-fledged cathedral of stories begins in earnest, an exciting creative partnership is allowing it to tell some tales of its own.
stories told through words, pictures, film, video - and even plants
The directors of the creative writing programme Dark Angels, who run master classes at Merton College, approached The Story Museum with the concept of Other Worlds. Their collective writing power forms the nucleus of the exhibition. They have been joined by a broad spectrum of invited artists, along with special guests including writer and broadcaster Michael Rosen, composer Nick Bicat and Oxford city poet Kate Clanchy. Together, they will turn the into a giant compendium of strange, humorous and compelling story fragments.
Stuart Delves, a director of Dark Angels, said: ”Discarded equipment, the last leavings of former occupants, abandoned spaces awaiting some magic: even when empty, these buildings are atmospheric; when adapted, with a storytelling purpose, they become extraordinary. We wanted to show our support for The Story Museum in an exciting, practical way.”
Visitors to Other Worlds will go where their curiosity takes them, from room to room at their own pace, looking for items and clues of stories being made – and entering other imaginative worlds through these objects and places.
Other Worlds runs throughout May 2012 at The Story Museum, Rochester House, 42 Pembroke St, OX1 1BP. More information at www.storymuseum.org.uk/otherworlds
Rooms with stories to tell: some examples
Room 28 A world filled with a very special sort of rain.
Room 32 What’s old Bob doing in his hideaway? He’s busy keeping a secret. Whatever it is (and he says he’s just having a crafty fag), it’s having a remarkably refreshing effect…
Room 35 A desk, a calendar, some pens - and a bit of time travelling.
Room 38 Where do lost things go? To the English Office of Lost Things Found of course.
The entrance way Angels rise and fall.
Ends
For more information contact:
The Story Museum
Cath Nightingale, 01865 790050, 07798 665629 (mobile) cath@storymuseum.org.uk
Dark Angels
Stuart Delves, 0131 629 5090, 07878 475246 (mobile) www.henzteeth.com
John Simmons: johnsimmons@blueyonder.co.uk 07976 916502
Note to editors
The Story Museum
The Story Museum celebrates and demonstrate the power of stories to inspire learning, especially for the young. Since 2005 it has been working with more than 10,000 children, parents and teachers each year, many in disadvantaged areas. In 2014 it will open a new world centre of children's literature and storytelling in the heart of Oxford. The Museum's patrons are Philip Pullman, Michael Morpurgo, Michael Rosen and Jacqueline Wilson. The Story Museum is a pioneering charity and not-for-profit company.
The Story Museum, Rochester House, 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1BP www.storymuseum.org.uk
Dark Angels
Dark Angels brings together business writers keen to keep their creativity sharp. Set up by John Simmons, Stuart Delves and Jamie Jauncey, Dark Angels runs workshops, courses and master classes which look at how to use words more engagingly and imaginatively within the business environment.
www.dark-angels.org.uk
