Rhubarb website launched
"The new website includes rhubarb recipes collected by project participants, rhubarb video and sound samples as well as photos documenting the process"
West Yorkshire's proud history of rhubarb-growing provided inspiration for a recent hcmf// Learning & Participation initiative, and a new mini-website has just been launched to document the project.
Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb involved sound artist, musician and educator Duncan Chapman working with Year 5 pupils from Overthorpe Junior, Infant and Early Years School in Thornhill, Dewsbury to explore the sonic (and other) properties of rhubarb!
Yorkshire's famous ‘Rhubarb Triangle' is an area between Wakefield, Morley and Rothwell known for producing forced rhubarb. This technique for growing rhubarb, which is originally native to Siberia, became popular in the 19th century. The plants are grown outside for two years then transferred indoors to sheds that are heated and kept in complete darkness, prompting the sprouting of new stems with a prized tenderness and sweet flavour. In 2010 Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb was awarded European Protected Designation of Origin status, putting it in the same category as champagne, gorgonzola and Swaledale cheese.
Funded by The Ernest Cook Trust and The Michael Tippett Musical Foundation, Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb drew upon timelapse photography of the plants' growth at a David Westwood & Son's farm near Wakefield, along with audio recordings of the distinctive ‘pop' made as new buds burst open. Pupils made recordings of rhubarb being ‘played' in a variety of ways (invoking fond memories of the Vienna Vegetable Orchestra!), before using Soundplant editing and performance software to create their own sound pieces. The project also included other rhubarb-related activities such as tasting sessions and sharing rhubarb recipes, as well as learning about other foods holding PDO status across Europe.
The Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb project culminated in a ‘Rhubarb-B-Q' showcase event for the pupils and their families at the school on 11 April, featuring performances of work and chance to sample new rhubarb recipes.
The project is documented at http://www.rhubarbrhubarbrhubarb.co.uk; the site includes rhubarb recipes collected by participants during the project, rhubarb video and sound samples as well as photos from the workshop and Rhubarb-B-Q; please take a look and have a listen!
Comments
Archive
OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteering
Each year HCMF recruits over 50 volunteers to be involved in more than 10 different roles within the Festival including, Front of House, artist liaison...
