A Swindon artist has filled an historic unused pool with stars as part of an exciting science festival taking place in the town.
Harrie Dearing, 28, is an artist some might recognise from the many murals she has painted around town, including her participation in last year’s Swindon Paint Fest.
But as part of this year’s Festival of Tomorrow, she’s stepping into the world of projection mapping and is putting on an art installation at the Health Hydro’s empty children’s pool.
"Projection mapping is a method for projecting, images or video into physical space. Typical projection, as you see in the classroom or cinema, is used on a plain flat surface," Harrie said.
"I use a digital tool called Isadora to map out my images and video onto irregular surfaces. It's like creating a visual collage, that fits the images onto all sorts of unique spaces.
With this, she has created Stories Written in Stardust which sees the young artist experimenting with high-resolution photographs of her original Cosmicscape artwork.
She has animated the still images and will be projecting them into the empty swimming pool as part of a theatrical experience that also includes an original score composed by Gary Bamford, which will be played to the audience through individual wireless headsets.
“This technology allows me to breathe new life into my artwork. There is an inexplicably beautiful quality to mirroring this. Using my art to breathe new life into historic sites and unique spaces.''
“This site is where I learned to swim as a child, it has been very nostalgic and somewhat surreal to create in the space’’.
The show is funded by Arts Council England via a grant provided to Harrie to help her develop her practice by integrating her artwork with projection mapping technology to create immersive art installations that empower her as a disabled artist.
Harrie has a disability called FND which causes her to have daily seizures and mobility problems. She uses art as a personal therapy.
“Art is the way in which I digest the world, by sharing it I hope for others to find light in the dark,” she said.
FND greatly restricts Harrie’s independence in day-to-day life and her ability to share her art.
“By using projection mapping technologies, I can take 100’s of my paintings anywhere I go and present them through a projector and laptop. It is giving me a sense of independence as a creative again, as it works around the limitations of my disability.”
The organisers at the Festival of Tomorrow have supported Harrie in accessing the venue, and are excited to have her event as part of the festival programme.
''Connecting with the team at the Festival of Tomorrow inspired me to explore how theoretical physics connects to my Cosmicscape collection,” Harrie said.
“I have written a series of poetry blending theoretical physics with whimsical metaphors to accompany the exhibition. These poems will be presented as a voice-over at key moments in the animation."
Festival of Tomorrow director Dr Rod Hebden said: “We’re firm believers in the creativity of science and the ability of art to explore scientific ideas in new ways.
"Harrie’s exhibition looks incredible, and we can’t wait to see her breathe a moment of wonder into the beautiful Health Hydro before it closes for restoration work.”
Stories Written in Stardust was due to take place from February 21-24 after being postponed from the week before.
To find out more visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stories-written-in-stardust-tickets-556019558467
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