17 HIGH Street in Melksham will temporarily be turned into a drop in cinema and consultation hub as part of Verity-Jane Keefe’s public art commission that she is currently undertaking in the town of Melksham.
The first stage of this work was “A Possible Lifestyle”, a new moving image work which explores the town of Melksham via it’s walking routes and a script of fact and fiction narrated by a local resident which premiered in an empty showhome in the new development in East Melksham in September 2012.
Verity spent a period of intense research in Melksham, scratching the surface to try and unpick the town’s character through it’s architecture, it’s residents and it’s history.
The film will be screened on a loop in the shop. The permanent stage of the commission is still in development. some of the research will be displayed alongside the film.
The proposal is to install a series of small scale sculptures along a route that has developed from the already identified 5 walking routes. The sculptures will be located discreetly within the existing built and natural environment and will form a trail from the tourist information centre out to the new development and back again.
The sculptures will represent industry in the town in it’s broadest sense: Industry proper, both past and present, local folklore and cottage industry. Verity is keen to find out what residents think of their town, what makes Melksham special, what is made in Melksham, where are people’s favourite places to sit / hang out and why you think Melksham is great.
All ages are welcome. This moving image project is part of a wider public art programme that has been developed by Ginkgo Projects on behalf of the East Melksham Consortium. The art programme aims to locate the new development site within the context of the town as a whole, focusing on the walking routes and physical links between old and new. This project will inform the creation of a series of permanent, physical artworks along the walking routes through the town.
17 High Street Melksham Wiltshire SN12 6JY
Thursday 27th February 12.00 – 6.00pm
Friday 28th February 12.00 – 6.00pm Saturday 1st March 10.00am – 4.00pm
For more information email hello@verityjanekeefe.co.uk
