The Second Cwming was pretty amazing.
The Utrophia Project Space took on the guise of the Welsh valley 'Cwm Cowarch' where last year's festival had been held.
People set up a camp site in 102, with clouds, cut out sheep and trees and next door became the barn hosting an array of amazing live performances from Sculpture, Grovesnor, Hamilton Yarns, Now and Yo Zushi, as well as loads of others.
Once the night turned into party everybody was awoken by Utrophia's secret weapon, 'The Marching Band'. With faces painted white and suits assembled the march led everyone up out of bed and off into Greenwich.
The public were bamboozled. What was going on? Gasps and laughter rang out over Greenwich on that sunny market day.
Everybody was led up to the park and to of course, the band stand. As soon as The Marching Band had signed off, had Miss Serafina Steer arrived with her harp ready to play on the band stand. This was to be the first of many performances and a Utrophia love affair with Miss Steer.
Next up after that was the amazing Russian mime act 'Piero and Columbine'. They explored the bandstand as though it were a strange land. Running at it, climbing over it, cleaning it. It highlighted the ghostly nature of this strange structure and the echo of a time in which it was of regular use.
After this everybody was up and following the march again, the band led everyone to the flower gardens where they were able to sit down and enjoy Annie Lok perform an improvised dance piece.
Subtle, graceful and with a childlike curiosity Annie moved within the space with a perfect combination of dance which blended into simple natural movement. Then it was time to head back to base for some rip-roaring performances from Temperatures, Afracadabra and Ginger & Sorrel.
The event saw Utrophia begin to progress into addressing the public space as a platform for the projects. The idea of shifting location and contextualising the public arena as a place in which to see art allows for a renewed sense of 'The High St' or 'The Bridge'. As if it snowed and the land seemed to be for the people again.
A great weekend!
Enjoy the beautifully made full length movie CWM II - Filmed Jake Ewen, Edited by
Pippa Martin.