Return of Tatton Park Biennial

Firstly, I want to introduce myself. My name is Debbie and I'm new to this blog, new to Tatton Park and new to working on Tatton Park Biennial 2012. For those who haven't heard of the Biennial before, it is a contemporary art event that takes place every other year and artists are commissioned to create site-specific artworks within and around the landscaped gardens and inside the estate. If you're familiar with the Biennial or it's starting to ring bells, you might remember the art installation in 2010 called Evacuate created by artist Kate MccGwire, where thousands of locally sourced bird feathers weaved through and consumed the kitchen. It was a piece, even my mother-in-law remembers and talks about today, because she found it both haunting and beautiful.

Juneau Projects, Gleaners of the Infocalypse, The Long Wood

Anyhow, you will be pleased to hear that the Biennial is returning to your park, opening to the public on Saturday 12th May. The theme is Flights of Fancy, where artworks will refer to Tatton Park's aeronautical legacy, as well as the human urge to fly. Did you know that during the Second World War, Tatton's parkland played a major role in the training of RAF paratroopers and the grounds were used for test parachute jumps? Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatton was even described to have been "an innovator, a man of great inventive and technical skill, a pioneer aviator, photographer and filmmaker", so it makes sense for this year's Biennial to explore these themes. 

Artists duo, Philip Duckworth and Ben Sadler, known as Juneau Projects plan to transform a decommissioned aeroplane into an iconic sculpture called Gleaners of the Infocalypse. Yes, you heard correctly. Half an aircraft, no longer needed for service, will take on a new life here at Tatton Park. The very thought of it arriving excites me and I think it will look oddly spectacular amongst the peaceful, rural landscape. Watch this blog for more updates.

Over the next few months, you will hear more from the Biennial team, because we want to give you an insight on what we get up to, who we meet, how we work closely with Tatton Park staff and the challenges we are faced with when commissioning artworks for the park. Having spent a year on maternity leave, I am thrilled to be back and taking on the role of Biennial Project Manager. The bringing together of creative experts and professionals from various backgrounds to create art and educational events in response to the rich landscape, heritage and history dating back to medieval times, you have to agree is a very exciting time for Tatton Park.

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Debbie Chan, Project Manager for Tatton Park Biennial debbie@tattonparkbiennial.org