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Coronavirus Kent: Artist Emily Peasgood calls for sound recordings from locked down residents for installation at West Wing Battery at Fort Burgoyne, Dover

An art project which incorporates history, music and voices at a Dover fort is asking people of the town to get involved during Covid-19 lockdown.

Award-winning sound artist and composer Emily Peasgood is looking for people of all ages to contribute recordings of their voices and to create sound effects from the comfort of their own home.

It's for her new artwork in The West Wing Battery at Fort Burgoyne, a scheduled monument that forms part of a military site dating back to the 1860s.

I Would Rather Walk With You is a contemporary sound installation that features a choral composition, archival sound recordings, voice actors and sound effects.

It is hoped the end result will be the creation of a magical sound world to immerse visitors in the history and future of the West Wing Battery at Fort Burgoyne as a community space.

Ms Peasgood says: “I would love to hear from people from all backgrounds who would like to take part in this exciting project.

Scroll down for video of another Kent project by the artist

Fort Burgoyne, where the The Land Trust is developing new plans for the area 190516 Picture: Alan Langley FM4346748 (33887115)
Fort Burgoyne, where the The Land Trust is developing new plans for the area 190516 Picture: Alan Langley FM4346748 (33887115)

"I was originally going to record voices and sound effects by visiting groups in the local community.

"Considering the Coronavirus pandemic, I’ve had to rethink how this project works to ensure everyone can participate safely, and believe I have found a solution that enables people to take part without leaving their front door.

"The artwork will be installed in the gun loops in the battery.

"You won't be able to see the artwork, it will be in the existing structure, and as people cross the bridge into the site the sound will be triggered.

Anyone can take part and no experience is necessary because full support an guidance will be given.

Fort Burgoyne is subject to a new art installation involving history, music and voice 190516 Picture: Alan Langley FM4346751 (33887123)
Fort Burgoyne is subject to a new art installation involving history, music and voice 190516 Picture: Alan Langley FM4346751 (33887123)

Ms Peasgood is particularly hoping to get some children to take part because only 15 have registered so far.

The only technical equipment needed is a mobile telephone or access to the internet.

I Would Rather Walk With You is one of many site specific installation by the BASCA award-winning composer, sound and visual artist. It will be her fourth in Kent.

The most similar to the Dover project is Halfway to Heaven which was created for the Folkestone Triennial, 2017. This interactive artwork won an Ivor Novello Composer’s Award for Sonic Art.

Never Again was created in Medway in 2018 for Ideas Test and involved a live choral performance with archival sound recordings commemorating the WW1 centenary.

It was performed on the South East Train network in Medway and was nominated for an Ivor Novello Composer’s Award.

And Katherine - created for Art in Romney Marsh - is an interactive ‘murder mystery in sound’ at St Clements Church in Romney Marsh, featuring choral recordings, and sound effects.

I Would Rather Walk With You will be installed in 2021.

In the meantime the site needs stabalising and making safe as part of development and access linked to a housing development scheme.

The deadline for submitting recordings is Friday, May 29 so early registration is requested.

Register your interest by filling in the online form or contacting the artist on emily@emilypeasgood.com / 07749115484.

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