Dark Heritage takes visitors on an interactive journey into the 18th century, in the pitch black. © Bee Arts
Eerie sound installation The Dark is going on tour from May to immerse more visitors in the horrors of the 18th century slave trade. Specially created educational activities will bring a new dimension to the interactive work on this outing, thanks to support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England, which marks the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade.
Dark Heritage takes visitors into a pitch black space where only sounds can be used as a guide. A story emerges, set in the dark days of the 18th century, when British ships controlled the international slave trade. Participants must use their imagination and courage to find their way through the narrative - an exciting but scary challenge.
“Dark Heritage is a truly innovative and imaginative project which will help people of all ages to learn about the slave trade and its abolition in a sensitive and practical way,” said Carole Souter, Director of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The sound art installation was originally created by Braunarts, and will begin its journey through six venues on May 8 2007 at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich (until June 17).
It then travels on to St Nicholas Centre, Ipswich (July 19-August 8), Gloucester Cathedral (September 4-28), Birmingham (venue tbc, October 4-29), Norwich Cathedral (November 5-29) and finally Claremont Hall in Bolton (December 4-29).
A thermal image showing what visitors to the dark won't be able to see. Courtesy Braunarts
“Bee Art’s installation is the 100th bicentenary project that the Heritage Lottery Fund has supported,” commented Ms Souter, “and we were particularly impressed with its strong educational strand and desire to bring out many of the hidden histories of those who were involved in the abolition movement.”
At each venue, the installation will be open to the public as well as school and community groups, who can take part in a range of activities to learn more about the lives of the abolitionists. Places and more information can be booked on The Dark website from May 1.
The Dark website also features a downloadable version of the installation, and links to resources about the transatlantic slave trade.
“Although Dark Heritage is underpinned by rigorous historical research, it is not just about historical facts of the unsung participants in the movement to abolish slavery,” said Terry Braun of Braunarts. “Dark Heritage is above all an exploration of courage - particularly the courage to stand up for your beliefs, whether in 1807 or 2007.”
