A ground-breaking photography project, with a strong contemporary mix of art and heritage, has seen hundreds and hundreds of Preston people step into their own panorama to be captured for posterity. The outcome, an iconic photo series, providing an historic cultural snapshot will be the focus of an extraordinary exhibition to be at the Museum of Lancashire from February to May 2013.
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‘Actually taking a panoramic shot is an event in itself. It's quite technical in terms of getting the proportion and positions right, and it's possible to get several hundred people in one shot. Gathering everyone together and setting it up adds an extra dimension to the shot – it's exciting to be creating new art with new people and there's a genuine feeling that we're capturing a bit of history each time we do it.’
Jan Chlebik, Preston People Panorama
Preston People Panorama is the result of a creative collaboration between Dovetail and award-winning photographer and self confessed 'panorama obsessive', Jan Chlebik. Over the last six months, Jan has taken more than 80 panoramic shots of Preston groups, communities and landmarks as a social and artistic record of Preston in and around Guild Year 2012. This tremendous undertaking has involved groups and individuals of all ages, while groups as diverse as Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Preston North End FC and The Jamaica National Association not to mention bikers, bakers, singers and runners …. all have been immortalised by the photographer’s lens.
This Dovetail Original project is part of Preston Guild, England’s oldest festival which occurs every 20 years. The 2012 celebration held particular significance in being the first Guild of the 21st century and the first since the granting of Preston’s city status in 2002. Celebrating an an iconic moment in Preston’s history, Preston People Panorama achieves the engagement of local people with their heritage by placing them at the very heart of an outstanding, permanent work of art. In terms of its sheer scale, ambition and artistic vision, Preston People Panorama is believed to be the first project of its kind ever to have been attempted.
At Dovetail, we recognise that excellent partnerships play a vital role in promoting successful outcomes. In this instance, we brought together individuals and organisations to encourage creativity and inspire local communities to engage, on a massive scale, with the arts.
‘We are delighted to support this ambitious and an original project which had its roots in the Guild. It has a real creative vision at its heart and we are delighted to support it. Its scale gives it the potential to draw in thousands of people - giving them the opportunity to be part of a major exhibition as well as being a real part of history in the making.’
Stella Hall, Preston Guild Festival Director
The narrative for the exhibition will be led by the poet and playwright Lemn Sissay. The first poet to be commissioned for the London 2012 Olympics, Lemn also took part in the Conversations in Creativity with Dave Haslam for the Preston Guild, as well as writing the Guild Anthem. A number of local Preston writers, academics and community historians will also contribute to the creative writing narrative including, we hope, a creative collaboration with Lancashire Writers Hub.
Our partners include the people of Preston, the Museum of Lancashire, and Preston Guild 2012.
Preston People Panorama is funded by Arts Council England.
Photo credit: Jason Lock
