Basildon Park: Wayfaring

On 10th July 2018

The grounds of Basildon Park, a Palladian country house in Lower Basildon near Reading, was the setting for this episode of Wayfaring, a free outdoor installation and performance resolution created over a period of two weeks by AndNow.

Co-commissioned by the Corn Exchange Newbury, Wayfaring was an artistic journey of exploration, inspired by the landscape and ancient route of the Icknield Way, a pathway running from north Norfolk to the Dorset coast. Basildon Park, where the North Wessex Downs meets the Chilterns, sits on the edge of that route.

Usually visitors pay to enter The National Trust property and parklands – but on 18, 19 and 20 July they could visit for free. Once in the park, they journeyed  through – and contributed to – an artwork crafted from local and found materials by Mandy, Ben, their team and a group of volunteers. Local schoolchildren also visited and contributed to the installation and the making of Wayfaring. Live music and performance transformed the installation in a gentle celebration, a resolution to the two weeks creating process. The audience played an active part in Wayfaring – walking, looking, listening, singing, dancing and writing.

Treading ancient routes, AndNow explored the nature of time and the notion of boundaries in a series of site specific installations and performances inspired by the chalk landscapes and ancient routes of the Icknield Way. At Basildon Park AndNow responded to the ‘conscious aesthetic’ of the parkland. The installation was built over 10 days, local communities and visitors to Basildon Park were invited to come along to witness and interact with the installation’s making.

Lead Artists: AndNow.

Produced by Activate. Co-commissioned by Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Corn Exchange Newbury, 101 Creation Centre and Oerol Festival. Supported using public funding by Arts Council England and by Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

With additional support for this event in North Wessex Downs from National Trust – Basildon Park.