During August and September, Abandon Normal Devices Festival (AND) will take to the road with it’s new touring commission Mobile Republic, a convoy of five interactive caravans for the London 2012 Festival.
The classic touring caravan is a symbol of the traditional British summer holiday, but these vehicles are not what they seem. Beneath their innocent exteriors, the caravans have been radically remodelled and re-imagined by artists, architects and activists including London Fieldworks, Hellicar & Lewis, The Center for Genomic Gastronomy, BUREAU A and Julian Oliver. Together, the bespoke artists’ commissions investigate the colliding forces of nature, industry, extinction and a world where future technologies can be sustainable and responsive. With on-board artists ready to entertain with food, film and fascinating ideas, Mobile Republic will be traveling to Whitehaven (10-11 August), Blackburn (17-18 August), Manchester (30 Aug – 02 Sep) and then at the closing celebrations for London 2012 in the North West, WE PLAY Expo in Preston (7-9 September).
Beneath their innocent exteriors, the caravans have been radically remodelled and re-imagined by artists…
In situ, the caravans will group together in a wagon circle, creating a central ‘big-top’ social space designed by Bureau A. They’ll feature an artist’s studio, performance space and an indoor/outdoor cinema, which will host the newly commissioned short film End of the Road from London Fieldworks which reflects on the contrasting symbolism of the touring caravan, employed as a speculative vehicle in a short film that juxtaposes an image of slick, efficient production with that of a deteriorating physical landscape. The Centre for Genomic Gastronomy will be transforming their caravan into a Spice Mix Super Computer, a massive mobile food machine which allows users to create, print and taste a unique blend of spices from millions of possible combinations. Award-winning artist Julian Oliver’s Boarder Bumping caravan is a work of dislocative media that situates cellular telecommunications infrastructure as a disruptive agent, challenging the integrity of national borders in the scope of human action.
Touring Dates:
10 – 11 Aug 12:00 – 20:00 Marina, Whitehaven, Cumbria
17 – 18 Aug 12:00 – 20:00 Youthzone, Blackburn, Lancashire
29 Aug – 02 12:00 – 20:00 Number One First Street, Manchester
Sep 07 – 09 Sep 12:00 – 23:00 WE PLAY Expo, Avenham & Miller Parks, Preston
