Many months before the events on the equinox, Adrian Brooks began designing and building the twelve sculptural forms that, together with one more, made by the pupils of St Birinus Primary School, formed the Henge. The first Henge19 event took place on the Hurst Water Meadow, at the autumn equinox.
Henge is a project of history and place. The Neolithic henge that once stood near Dorchester inspired the sculpture, and the surrounding landscape – marked and shaped by thousands of years of human action and natural forces – was integral to every aspect of the project.
Art for Henge was curated by Miranda Creswell who presented a brief to twelve local artists, challenging them to find their own place or places within the landscape between Dorchester and the River Thames, and to produce a work of art from there.. The paintings, drawings, sketchbooks, photographs were accompanied by a brief written text which gave an insight as to the artists’ thinking, and also a large map of the area marking the point at which the artist had worked. The art was shown at an exhibition in the Dorchester Abbey Guest House, 21-22/9/19.
Tim Cook composed music for the project, including a drumming sequence, and making ‘prehistoric’ instruments. The music was integral to the completed Henge19 sculpture.
Tim Cook composed music for the project, including a drumming sequence, and making ‘prehistoric’ instruments. The music was integral to the completed Henge sculpture.
Poetry exploring themes of time, landscape and nature was written by David Burns and performed by him in the Henge, and at the art exhibition in the Abbey Guest House.
The children of St Birinus Primary School entered with great spirit into the workshops led by members of the project team in music composition, poetry, art, prehistoric art and sculpture. Many made their own special books in which to show their original work. All of the work went on display in Dorchester Abbey for several weeks.
People
Henge19 Steering Committee – those mentioned above, plus:
- Ed Metcalfe, Project Manager
- Bea Drury, Fundraising
- Charlotte Bennett, Publicity, catering
- Simon Ratliff, Technical adviser
- David Wilkinson, Archaeologist
- Chris Baines, Event photography
- Emily Stuart, Outdoor catering
- Rosie Southon, Education
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The committee would like to acknowledge the invaluable help and support provided by so many others, including:
- Rosie Southon and Sophia Stewart-Liberty – Prehistoric art workshop at the primary school.
- Ben Morris – Drone photography
- Catherine Paul – Sunday catering
- Jane Brooks, Publications
- The Hurst Watermeadow Trust
- Canon Sue Booys and her team at Dorchester Abbey.
- Toby Brooks and Mike Whyte – Transport and marshalling
- James Pratt – Marshalling.
- The staff of St Birinus Primary School
- Chris Ellis, who made the silver hare
- Dan Duke – for this website.
The people of the village and the visitors who participated in Henge19