Wunderbar Festival
Barbara Hodgson, The Journal
WHILE many of us enjoy having friends and family around to visit, who would be willing open up their homes to strangers?
That’s the question being asked by the artist behind a groundbreaking festival project which wants us to do just that.
Joshua Sofaer is looking for people to work with him over coming weeks and months to develop their own homes as performance spaces.
Whether you just want a chance to show off your house with a tour or are keen to take advantage of a joint decorating session, it’s entirely up to you. Tours of People’s Homes is to be a public programme of events in and around Newcastle and Gateshead in November as part of the first-ever Wunderbar Festival which is aiming to bring us the ‘wow’ factor.
It’s a new commission for Sofaer, an internationally acclaimed artist and director, who explains: "The idea is that people will invite members of the public into their homes and tell them a story and show them round.
"We’re in an economic downturn but DIY sales are booming. People are concentrating on their own homes and there is this phrase that an Englishman’s house is his castle. It’s the one place where you can do anything but this is a chance to share it with others." He suggests householders might want to host an architectural tour, a coffee morning, a meal, or even a sleepover.
Maybe they have a collection or a talent they’re proud of and would like to share.
His project will be one of the highlights of Wunderbar Festival 2009, a new biennial event for the region, which promises to be an exciting mix of performances and visual art with different, playful and thought-provoking work by pioneering artists.
Another project, for instance, might give pause for thought to those who reckon children should never be let anywhere near sharp objects. Haircuts by Children invites people into a salon to have their tresses chopped by a child.
Another possibility is a game show-style event, The People Speak, which invites a group to add a small amount of money to a kitty then debate how it should be spent.
And, because the festival’s aim – as its title suggests – is to open our eyes to a sense of wonder, we’re told we can expect some charming quirky, and unexpected happenings – some in everyday places – between November 6 and 15.
The London-based artist is known for work which involves participation and interaction, and often a liberal dose of humour, with him also acting as curator and director in such ‘events’ as his Scavengers which take place worldwide and involve a day-long treasure hunt against the clock, and Name in Lights in Birmingham which celebrated a non-celebrity and put her name in lights.
No performance experience is necessary to take part in his project. All that’s required is enthusiasm and a willingness to experiment. Nor is there any age restriction.
Sofaer is interested in hearing from people who live in all kinds of different homes – probably between 10 and 20 of them – and will lead a number of workshops before the series of public performances takes place inside the homes of those selected.
Anybody interested in being considered for the project should visit www.wunderbarfestival.co.uk/toph
* Wunderbar Festival is funded by Arts Council England, North East and One North East and is part of the culture10 programme and involves a host of art venues.
