The history of the coast as a place of healing and recovery is being explored in a new art project. Views From Convalescent Hill is based in Felixstowe, a popular Victorian holiday destination. The project includes a temporary exhibition at the town’s museum on Landguard Point, performance pieces, and a collection of oral histories.
Natalie Pace, director of Pier Projects Art Agency, explained, “It’s about what those ideas mean to people today, what does convalescence look like, and what could it look like in the future?”
Felixstowe Museum provides historical context, noting that the town rapidly expanded when the port opened in the 1880s and the railway brought visitors eager for a seaside holiday. Before the tourism boom, the sea air and seawater swims attracted people recovering from illness. Bev Boyce from the Felixstowe Society recorded a conversation about the resort’s health history, mentioning Sir John Fludyers, who in 1697 claimed that sea bathing was beneficial for various ailments.
Elian Shipp, general manager of Landguard Fort and Felixstowe Museum, expressed enthusiasm about the project, hoping it would attract more visitors. “It’s lovely to display some of our items which have been in storage and show them off to people,” Shipp said. “It’s wonderful to work with local collaborators to make something new and have a space to show something, which will hopefully bring more people to the museum.”
The exhibition will run from July 4 until November 3. The project also features a performance called All Ears: A Community Listening Station by artist Dana Olărescu. Another creative piece, Rest Easy by artist Elaine Aston, includes a deckchair with cyanotype printed fabric, accompanied by sounds of Felixstowe.
Views From Convalescent Hill was initiated by Pier Projects Art Agency with freelance project manager Laura Davison. It has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and East Suffolk District Council, with support from Suffolk Archives, Felixstowe Museum, Suffolk Libraries, and Felixstowe Old People’s Welfare Association.
In a related exploration of the sea’s impact, the Sea Empress oil spill project offers a poignant look at environmental disaster through oral histories. The Sea Empress oil spill occurred off Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, in February 1996. Abigail Sidebotham, an artist and filmmaker, collaborated with a historian friend to document the community’s experiences. They interviewed 40 people, curated talks, workshops, and exhibitions, and published newspapers on themes like Tide, Animism, Deep Time, and Memory.
Sidebotham noted the sensory impact of the oil spill, describing how the strong smell of oil was often the first encounter people had. The absence of birds and waves, replaced by the glooping sound of oil and heavy machinery, created a visceral experience. The project aimed to understand the existential meaning of living next to the sea and the impact of environmental degradation.
The themes of Deep Time and Animism emerged from Sidebotham’s art practice. Deep Time explored oil’s geological origins and its misplacement during the spill, while Animism delved into the cultural and symbolic meanings of the landscape. Sidebotham’s film, I Came Like All the Ghosts at Once, combined research, verbal accounts, archival film material, and the people and places encountered during the project. The film aimed to represent the oil spill as an uncanny return of a more-than-human substance, exploring the cultural meaning of the disaster.
The Sea Empress project highlighted the resilience and adaptability of ordinary people. Many interviewees expressed a strong urge to “do something,” whether through community vigils, environmental activism, or cleaning the beaches. Sidebotham found these stories compelling and heartening, reflecting the meaningful and cathartic nature of these endeavors.
However, Sidebotham also questioned the effectiveness of such actions, considering the historical context of fossil fuel extraction and its disastrous consequences. She pondered what sort of action would be appropriate during the Sea Empress oil spill and what is required now to bring about meaningful social and environmental change.
The Sea Empress oil spill archive offers a rich and textured collection of oral histories, revealing the complex and sensory experiences of those affected. It provides valuable insights into the nature of environmental disasters and their impact on communities.
Both the Views From Convalescent Hill and the Sea Empress projects underscore the healing power of the sea and the profound connection between people and their coastal environments. Through oral histories and creative expressions, these projects explore the themes of recovery, resilience, and the enduring impact of the sea on human lives.
Source: BBC News, Environment and History
