What is Following Shanks Pony?

‘By shank’s pony’ is used as a phrase for walking. Shanks' pony derives from the name of the lower part of the leg between the knee and ankle, the shank. Some say it is called Shank’s Pony because Shank didn’t have a pony at all. He simply had to walk. Well, we don’t have one either but enjoy walking, are passionate about sound and visual art, and socialising with others. In Following-Shanks-Pony we combine all of these.

During an artist-led walk, participants have the opportunity to capture impressions by taking photographs, making sketches, writing and by leaving sound on a portable sound recorder. This material is transformed into an installation, capturing the collective impression. The installation, publicly exhibited, becomes a valuable memory trigger and artistic-statement for participants and visitors alike.

Until now participants engaged with the project by taking part in the walk, producing photographs, sketches or writing, which, along with sound recordings, were transformed by the artists into an installation, expressing the communal experience.

Following-Shanks-Pony is a collaboration of the visual artist Nickova and the musician Mr.Eugene. Both, experienced in providing art projects for the community, were separately commissioned by the Brighton & Hove Adult-Learning-Festival (Nov 2009), and also in 2008 by the Surrey-Integrated-Arts-Consortium to work as part of the ‘Colebrook Chronicles’ funded through ACESE. After working on ‘Colebrook-Chronicles’, Nickova developed the project ‘Exploration’, which was funded by ACESE in March 2009.

Following-Shanks-Pony in Chesworth now aims to develop participation and the publicly exhibited installation /expression, to progress the entire concept.

Feel free to join the artists Nickova and Mr.Eugene on a creative journey over five days (at weekends) in October to explore the beauty of the Chesworth parkland conservation area (in Horsham, West Sussex). Learn how to create your own soundscapes and visual expression, to create the installation and be part of the exhibition, followed by a discussion/forum. Please view the outcomes form previous walks on http://myspace.com/shankspony (Or visit us on facebook Following Shanks Pony page ).

Following Shanks Pony in Chesworth is running over the first three weekends in October 2010:

Sun 3^rd of October, 10am – 5pm:

meeting at Chesworth Arts Farm, Horsham, walk through the parkland taking in the space, listening and looking, collecting sound and visuals (with camera, sketch pad etc). We’ll stop en-route at a pub for a lunch opportunity, back at the farm you can relax, enjoy the exhibition of previous walks, up-load your images and talk about your experience. (day fee £5).

Sat 9^th and Sun 10^th October, 10am – 5pm:

two-day workshop leading to exhibition, facilitated by the artists Nickova and Mr.Eugene, to demonstrate/ learn /practice how you can use the sound recordings and photographs from the walk to create a sound-visual expression, including paint on canvas and digital sound on a computer. Places are open to all over 16 years old but limited in number, on a first come first served basis.

Sat 16^th October 10am – 5pm:

Participants of the workshop, working with the artists creating the new installation of walks including the new expressions.

(Workshop Fee £95, or £45 depending on funding *see below)

Sun 17^th October, 10am – 5pm:

Public exhibition of Following Shanks Pony at Chesworth, and discussion forum, to explore the experience and talk about collaborations. Special guest artists: Susan Diab and Lynn Weddle, open to all, please register.

Light refreshments will be provided over all days (we will ask for donations for drinks on the exhibition opening), you need to bring your own lunch (for the walk bring some money as we will stop for lunch in a pub). Other equipment will be supplied.

Total cost for 4 days participation: £100 per person (depending on funding there will be a 50% reduction *see below).

Taking part in the artists led walk (1 day including preview of exhibition and light refreshments): £5

Participating in the sound-visual workshop and creating installation (3 days): £95 (price will be reduced to £45 depending on funding *see below).

For more information email Nickova@hotmail.com or call 077 66 66 2003 or go to http://myspace.com/shankspony

Please register your interest by the 17th September:

email Nickova@hotmail.com or call 077 66 66 2003

*An application has been made to the Arts Council England to part-fund the project, the result is still pending, please indicate your level of interest and if dependent on reduced rates.

We hope that you will find the project exciting and are looking forward to welcoming you as a new “follower”!
Nickova and Eugene