RING CYCLE
Ring Cycle is an audio-visual symphony that transposes Wagner’s epic cast of gods and mortals into a contemporary Thameside landscape. From river maidens on concrete barges to exiled gods and flaming shopping trolleys, this allegory of industrial capitalism takes place on the fringes of London just inside its own ring of the M25.
The project was supported through the 2016-17 Stephen Cripps’ Studio Award, a major creative development opportunity based at High House Production Park in Thurrock. Supported by The Henry Moore Foundation, High House Production Park Ltd and Stephen Cripps’ family, it forms part of Acme’s Residency & Awards Programme.
Named in memory of a pioneering ‘pyrotechnic sculptor’ the award encouraged the selected artist to take risks, to challenge both themselves and their practice. It also allowed for creative collaboration between the Park partners: High House Production Park Ltd, the Royal Opera House Bob and Tamar Manoukian Production Workshop & Bob and Tamar Manoukian Costume Centre, South Essex College, the National Skills Academy Creative & Cultural Backstage Training Centre and Acme.
This film with performed live score made in collaboration with The Cabinet of Living Cinema, members of Royal Opera House Thurrock Community Choir and a locally recruited foley team reveals Purfleet as a place where the toxic and angelic combine in a twenty-first century version of the sublime where the whoosh of wind turbines and the call of birds bring the film to vivid life.
An outdoor launch screening of the 20 minute film with live soundtrack took place on Friday 14 July 2017 in the grounds of High House Production Park, Purfleet, Essex.
The screening was the pre-performance to the Big Screen relay of the opera Turandot organised by Royal Opera House Thurrock and the Backstage Centre.
Further screenings of Ring Cycle (with recorded soundtrack) at East End Film Festival, Thunderdance Festival, Delete TV, Silk River, Crossing the Screen, Suburbinale..
Ring Cycle was longlisted for Aesthetica Art Prize 2017.
THE EVOLVING STUDIO:
The Making of Ring Cycle.Rehearsing in the studio at High House Production Park, Purfleet with the choir and foley team. 14 June 2017.
The Making of Ring Cycle. In the studio with the choir and foley team at High House, Purfleet. 21 June 2017.
The making of Ring Cycle. In the studio doing the sound recording with Kieron Maguire of Cabinet of Living Cinema and Tom Wilson and the choir (recruited from the Royal Opera House Thurrock Community Choir) and foley team. July 5 2017.
Behind the scenes of the filming of Ring Cycle in the landscapes of Purfleet. Local children as wild things at RSPB Rainham Marshes.
Filming behind the scenes of 'Ring Cycle' with Dave Schooling aka The Wanderer/Wotan and Loki the Raven of Coda Falconry.
Behind the scenes of Ring Cycle filming with a team of metal detectorists under the Thames Dartford Crossing.
Behind the scenes of the making of 'Ring Cycle'‘ out on the Thames with Tony Weald of Thurrock Yacht Club.
Behind the scenes filming ringcycle with bird watchers at RSPB Rainham marshes.www.ringcycle.site
Purfleet Heritage Centre. Vast, eclectic collection in old gunpowder store. Inspiration and sound source for the Ring Cycle project.
IMAGES FROM THE MAKING OF RING CYCLE IN THE LANDSCAPE OF PURFLEET (PHOTOS BY TONY O’BRIEN/HILARY POWELL)
