Our inspiration
*Ark
An ark is something that affords protection and safety, derived from the Latin word Arca - to hold off or defend
ARKADE takes its inspiration from the rapidly changing coastal habitat surrounding Jaywick, its natural heritage and increasing vulnerability to rising sea levels and flooding due to climate change; factors affecting local residents, their lives and the futures of all who call this exposed, dynamic and elemental landscape home.
Our home, and where we live, is an Ark (a place of protection, safety and life), and ARKADE will creatively explore illuminating and visual responses to our resilience and adaption to change.
Responding to change
What can be expressed about protection and resilience? How do we adapt and respond to environmental change where we live?
ARKADE will be wild and creative! A celebration of the dynamic coastal relationship between a community and its neighbour ‘the ocean’. Inspired by a strong sense of place and ‘spirit’ of Jaywick, a creative and powerful voice for its inhabitants and habitats will be illuminated.
Together with the University of Essex, a new exciting collaboration between artists, scientists and residents will invite a deep dive into the latest scientific research, environmental solutions and interventions being undertaken locally to inspire creative ideas and opportunities.
Illumination and play
Seafront amusements are a cultural wonder in our coastal communities, they illuminate our holidays and provide spaces for play. Visually they are bright and iconic, resonating nostalgic memories and experiences as children and with our families. They are embedded in our coastal lives.
Taking inspiration from coin machines, seafront signage, amusement games, sounds and play, ARKADE will facilitate workshops and host events using light, colour, pattern and play as its format.
A final artwork will take the form of an interactive ARKADE sited in the heart of Jaywick, inviting audiences to participate in an illumination of play and light show of iconography inspired by the ocean and adaption to climate change and rising sea levels.
*Historically an ark is a vessel of protection, yet in more recent times, in the field of wildlife conservation the term Ark Site has been adopted to represent a site where a single endangered, or declining native species, is protected from any external threats to its future survival.
