Barnsley Museums collaborates with renowned local choreographer to celebrate the history of Eldon Street through contemporary dance
A new temporary exhibition in Experience Barnsley’s Sound and Film booth celebrates the history of Eldon Street through contemporary dance and photography.
As part of the Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ), photographer James Mulkeen teamed up with renowned local choreographer Gary Clarke to celebrate the architecture and heritage of Eldon Street through movement and dance. Together they have created a series of striking images on display at Experience Barnsley throughout June.
Visitors can watch a short film accompanied by a retro soundtrack alongside the images, which showcase the incredible architecture of the historic street reimagined and beautifully framed by contemporary dancers from the Gary Clarke Company, an Arts Council England's newly announced National Portfolio Organisation in retro rave costumes.
The exhibition comes on the back of the Wasteland Town Trails, a collaboration between Barnsley Council, Barnsley Museums, The Eldon High Street Heritage Action Zone, Barnsley Civic, and Gary Clarke Company – a professional dance theatre company led by celebrated Grimethorpe-based choreographer Gary Clarke.
The trails included live performances in Barnsley town centre ahead of two sell-out shows at Barnsley Civic, where Gary Clarke Company performed WASTELAND, the thrilling sequel to their highly-acclaimed COAL.
For anyone who missed the show, the exhibition offers an opportunity to experience the emotion, quality of dance, and history around the performance while also gaining insight into the history and architecture of Eldon Street.
Cllr Robert Frost, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “The Sound and Film Booth in Experience Barnsley Museum is a space for people to see films that showcase our borough's rich heritage. Visitors will be wowed by the current display featuring stunning images and fun film footage of the incredible architecture and fascinating stories of Eldon Street.”
Chris Collett, Historic England, said: “The High Street Heritage Action Zones have given us an exciting opportunity to reimagine and reinvigorate historic High Streets through a range of different art forms. We are delighted to see this creative collaboration in Barnsley which will hopefully change the way people experience the historic spaces of Eldon Street.”
To find out more about the project visit www.barnsley-museums.com/projects/eldon-street-high-street-heritage-action-zone