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10/5/2012

Tatton Park Biennial 2012

Tatton Park, Knutsford

Tatton Park Biennial: Flights of Fancy opens to the public on 12 May and runs through the summer until 30 September, 2012.

This third edition of the Biennial considers the human urge to fly, to accomplish the impossible in fragile times. Its artists are considering the impact of experimentation on delicate eco-systems, looking backward and forward for guidance, wisdom and/or humour. Their proposed results are experiments in time and space.

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Organisers of the 2012 Tatton Park Biennial are promising a festival to remember, when weird and wonderful art works take over the grounds and mansion.

It is the third such exhibition to take place at the National Trust-owned visitor attraction, near Knutsford, and is made up of more than 20 commissioned works from local and international artists.

This year’s theme is Flights of Fancy, as curator Jordan Kaplan explains: “We wanted to celebrate the aeronautical legacy of the north west, as well as the links Tatton’s Lord Egerton had with the industry.

“He flew with the Wright Brothers and was a keen aviator, at the same time as having a lot to do with amateur radio. The nearby RAF Ringway also used Tatton during the Second World War as a training ground to practice parachute jumps.

“The Flights of Fancy theme reflects the flights of our imagination. We would never have gone to the moon if a group of people had not sat there and thought, ‘what if?’ Particularly in these hard times, when we have to buckle down and be serious, we still have to allow for imagination in order to move forward.

“We wanted it to be a big show with a big theme.”

Artists showcasing their work at the festival include Hilary Jack, who was put forward through her links with the Castlefield Art Gallery, supporters of the event, along with others who include the Arts Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, Air Products and Manchester Airport.

Hilary, who works out of Rogue Studios in Chapeltown Street, Manchester city centre, is creating a human-sized empty bird’s nest within a 200-year-old chestnut tree in the park.

The work, entitled Empty Nest, was inspired by old folklore which says rooks flee their nests if an heir to a fortune dies without children – as was the case with Lord Maurice Egerton, who bequeathed Tatton Park to the National Trust

Hilary added: “When you go to Tatton Park you are overwhelmed by the sense of scale – the huge house and the sprawling gardens, which is why I wanted to make this nest on a human scale.”

Another of the attractions on display involves the 10-metre tail-end of a decommissioned aeroplane – which was built in Woodford, Stockport, and once flew the flight paths across Tatton. It has been turned into a huge canvas and is being worked on, in situ, by artists Ben Sadler and Phil Duckworth – known as Juneau Projects - in the run up to the festival opening.

Jordan says a big effort is being made to ensure those who have come to see the art, as well as other visitors who might stumble across it, can access information about the works.

New for this year are QR codes – which are scanned by a smartphone to take you directly to the Biennial website – and a dedicated smartphone App, both of which reveal more about the stories and inspirations behind the pieces.

“We have to work out the best ways to engage with the audience to make sure people have enough information,” Jordan said.

“There is a perception with modern art of, ‘where’s the art in that?’ or ‘I could do that!’. But when you talk through the processes the artist has gone through to get to that work, you will find 90 per cent of people walk away saying, ‘I had no idea’. That is very rewarding."

Image: Juneau Projects Gleaners of the Infocalypse photo: Thierry Bal

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Preview: Friday 11 May 5 – 8pm. Strictly by invitation

Tatton Park
Ashley Road - Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6QN, United Kingdom
OPENING TIMES These times apply to Tatton's High Season when the Biennial is running:
Parkland open every day 10am to 7pm (last entry 6pm)
Formal Gardens and Restaurant open every day 10am to 6pm (last entry to gardens 5pm)
Mansion open every day except Monday 1pm to 5pm (last entry 4pm)
Shops open every day 11am to 5pm
PRICING
There is a £5 car entry charge to Tatton Park which also applies to National Trust members
A Totally Tatton ticket is recommended for visitors to the Biennial, which allows entry to the Formal Gardens and Mansion, both of which exhibit Biennial artwork along with the parkland. This ticket also allows entry to Tatton’s farm.
Adult £10; Children (4-15) £5; Family (2 adults + 3 children) £25
Single attraction entry ticket: Adult £5.50, Child £3.50, Family £14.50
National Trust members have free entry to the Mansion and Formal Gardens

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