The Ecologies of Hilbre Island - A Creative Expedition
Being Human Festival
It has been 165 years since Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, a landmark text in evolutionary biology. To mark this occasion, the MA Art in Science programme and the Hilbre Centre for Art, Science and Sustainability invite you to join them on an expedition to Hilbre Island, a landmark in the river Dee estuary and our ‘Galapagos’ in the North West of England. Embark on a creative investigation of the island’s ecologies through storytelling, observational drawing, poetry and performance, looking closely at how the land, sea and humans interconnect.
Walking across the mudflats of the Dee estuary from West Kirkby and upon arrival at Hilbre island, attendees will listen to an audio guide, which comprises a history of the island and oral histories from locals.
On the island attendees will choose to take part in one of two workshops that observe and document the island 1) Creative writing and charcoal rubbings will record the island’s geology and generate a ‘mapping’ of the island’s geological history 2) a field sketching workshop to identify species of migrating birds visiting the island, before drawing an evolutionary (phylogenetic) tree.
Finally, a poetry performance based on collected oral histories and poetry, will be performed in a costume that turns a performer into the native sea lavender. We will then walk back to West Kirby before high tide.
Tickets are free but booking is essential.
This event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 7–16 November 2024. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with generous support from Research England, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information please see beinghumanfestival.org. Funding for this event was awarded to Mark Roughley (Programme Leader MA Art in Science) and Dominic Wilkinson (Co-Director City Lab in the Institute of Art & Technology) from Liverpool School of Art & Design.
Accessibility information: Access to Hilbre island is via a 1 hour walk across the mudflats of the Dee estuary from West Kirkby. Attendees will need to be able to walk to the island or be comfortable being ferried to the island in the ranger’s off-road truck. The area can be slippery and uneven underfoot and the weather in November is unpredictable. Wear waterproof and warm clothing and appropriate walking shoes. The event is based in the buildings on the island providing cover, rest areas and toilets. The island doesn’t have fresh water or shops to purchase supplies. Please ensure you have food and drink supplies for the duration of your stay. Please contact the organiser regarding any questions about the accessibility of this event.