|
"Quality public art has played a key role in contributing to the sea-change in the South East and in demonstrating the role of art in society. Its fantastic to see Ramsgate Arts take this forward with their new installation. PERFUGIUM MISERIS is an inspiring piece that invites the diverse and fluid audience of the harbour space to reflect on their surroundings, their history and what it might mean for their present". Victoria Pomery - Director of the Turner Contemporary Gallery, Margate.
Mooch artist Theresa Smith is hosting a fundraising evening at the prestigious Royal Temple Yacht Club overlooking Ramsgate's beautiful Georgian harbour. Her new artwork, PERFUGIUM MISERIS is installed on the harbour wall for the Summer season. The artwork was commissioned by Ramsgate Arts for this year's Summer arts festival and was part funded by Arts Council England.
The installation depicts the Latin harbour motto meaning "refuge for those in need" and is steeped in the history of Ramsgate harbour, re-built following the Great Storm of 1703 which caused an appalling death toll on the Goodwin Sands, "very dangerous, flat and fatal" (Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice).
The artwork has been placed on the Eastern harbour arm at tide level and sinks beneath the waves at high water as a reminder of the risks faced at sea beyond the safety of the harbour walls and a memorial to the countless lives lost over the centuries. The letters span 23 metres and are clad in photoluminescent vinyl which gives a soft, eerie glow at twilight and emits an intense brightness in full sunlight.
The event aims to celebrate the artwork and it's historical context and raise money for Mooch to cover this ambitious project's costs and importantly to create a seed fund for a future permanent PERFUGIUM MISERIS for the town of Ramsgate.
PROGRAMME FOR THE EVENING
The doors will be open from 7pm when guests will be greeted with a complimentary drink. A delicious selection of canapes will be served through the course of the evening.
We are delighted to welcome the marvellous Brian Daubney. Raconteur, entertainer, informer and enthusiast of Ramsgate and editor of the Ramsgate Society magazine, Ramsgate Matters, Brian will enlighten and entertain us as to the history of Ramsgate harbour and the place PERFUGIUM MISERIS has in that history.
Guests will have the pleasure of a performance after sunset of a poignant version of the Navy Hymn, Eternal Father ("For Those in Peril on the Sea"). The performance is timed with the lowering the Ensign flag outside the club as the notes of Eternal Father fade.
There will also be the premiere of the new short film by the very talented Nikolai Galitzine, a Ramsgate based documentary filmmaker who is creating a striking perspective on the place of PERFUGIUM MISERIS within the unique context and culture of the harbour and its characters. The film will include a soundtrack by Ramsgate artist Aidan Gray, creator of the haunting sound installation of the harbour, "Tide Time". Aidan was lead artist in this year's extraordinary Littoral Light event on Ramsgate Beach as part of the Ramsgate Arts Festival.
The evening will culminate in an auction at 9pm of each individual letter from PERFUGIUM MISERIS by esteemed Christies' auctioner Nick Finch. Founded in 18th Century London, Christies is a global art business with salerooms located in major cultural cities around the world and we are thrilled that Nick is bringing his expertise to Ramsgate for our cause.
The letters are to be united with their new owners on the occasion of the artwork being removed from the harbour wall before the winter storms set in. We will also be auctioning a limited edition, miniature version (1.2 metres wide) of PERFUGIUM MISERIS, made from the original photoluminescent material from the artwork along with a framed print of the beautiful photo by Chris Constantine.
All attendees at this unique reception will be entered into a raffle to win a second limited edition, miniature version of PERFUGIUM MISERIS. The club's elegant bar with its terrace overlooking the beautiful view across the harbour and sea are available for guests to enjoy throughout the evening and after we finish our reception at 10pm.
DO SUPPORT OUR CAUSE
This event is for anyone who has a stake in and wishes to support Ramsgate's regeneration, an interest in celebrating the town's unique heritage and a recognition of the power of distinctive public art to instil pride in a place and improve how it is perceived by residents and visitors alike.
We look forward to seeing you on the night. Please contact Theresa at Mooch with any enquiries.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
www.advantagepictures.com
www.aidangray.london
www.chrisconstantine.co.uk
www.christies.com
www.mooch.co
www.ramsgate-society.org.uk
www.ramsgatefestival.org
www.rtyc.com
www.turnercontemporary.org
Image credits:
Chris Constantine
Mooch
Gabriel Holland
Storme Sabine
Wayne Waterson
|
|
 |
LocationRoyal Temple Yacht Club (View)
6 Westcliff Mansions
Ramsgate CT11 9HY
United Kingdom
Categories
| Minimum Age: 18 |
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
|
Contact
|
