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‘River joy’ exhibition celebrates triumphant campaign moment
The Rave on the for the Avon film has concluded its international tour with a final screening at Bristol Aquarium and the launch of an art exhibition on the theme of ‘river joy’.
The film, an independent production, documents the grassroots campaign that initially aimed for designated bathing status at Conham River Park and has evolved into a wider call for rights and personhood for the River Avon.
“It has been such a joy to take this story of people who love and fight to protect their river in very Bristol ways around the country and to the other side of the world,” said filmmaker Charlotte Sawyer.
is needed now More than ever
“Grassroots, community campaigning has turned the tide [on river health], which is really exciting,” says independent director Charlotte Sawyer who credits the “female-led, joyful, eco-feminism campaign’ for giving her hope – photo: Megan Trump
It has made a real impact locally, being used as a tool in workshops with councillors, helping the Conham Bathing group to grow from five to over 60 citizen scientists, and prompting hundreds to sign the Thriving Avon Charter.
Bringing the film back to Bristol for the final date of the tour, its 81st screening, the female-led team that used creativity to capture public imagination including a marriage to the river and the construction of a giant puppet embodying the Avon’s spirit, celebrated their success so far and plotted the next chapter.
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“When I first went on tour with the film across England and Wales I saw relief on the faces of swimmers, river campaigners and activists who could simply celebrate our love for rivers,” reflects Sawyer.
“Many struggle to swim locally because it’s not safe; some don’t even have access to their local river because it runs through private land.
“My first screening of the tour was in Yorkshire in January and I joined local swimmers, breaking ice to swim in a reservoir. It was magical and we all shared our love of rivers and an understanding that we urgently need to protect them from pollution.
The Bristol campaign has centred around the power of story and the use of creative means to connect with people on an emotional level, helping them to reflect meaningfully on how they feel about rivers – photo: Charlotte Sawyer
“The film has travelled as far as Colombia. Hearing the perspective of many indigenous people on the film was so interesting. An indigenous woman from Mexico responded in the Q&A ‘it’s refreshing to see that you’re starting to understand what you’ve lost [in the UK]’.
“She was referring to the loss of connection to nature, the ceremonies that help us to connect and understand our relationship to nature.
“The hope for the future is that we are finding new ceremonies to remember old ways of connecting to nature. This is where our fabulous river spirit puppet Avona comes in.”
Avona took to the dancefloor at the party at the Aquarium – photo: Louis Veillon
The campaign has seized on the success of other groups working to gain rivers the same rights afforded to people and corporations – such as the River Wye which now has an appointed guardian, ecologist Dr Louise Bodnar, who speaks for the river in council policy and decision making.
Led by the Avonas, the creative team that built and birthed the River Avon puppet, Bristol campaigners are inviting residents to sign the Thriving Avon Charter which will be presented to the council after the exhibition closes.
It centres around the concept that rivers have rights including to be free from pollution and to be able to flow freely.
Visitors are also invited to write a message for the river and reflect on what the Avon means to them at the exhibition in the Aquarium’s foyer which displays Mrs Megan Avon‘s wedding dress, the Avona puppet, river health paintings based on scientist Eva Perrin‘s water samples, video footage and photography.
The mixed media arts exhibition, curated by Sawyer, is open to visit for free until November 3
While the film’s official tour is over, a community screening license means groups can organise a screening at their own convenience.
“Community screenings are still popping up all over the country (and in other countries) so if you know a wild-swimming or river campaign group, please encourage them to get in touch,” says Sawyer.
The River Joy art exhibition is open for free in the foyer of the Bristol Aquarium until November 3.
Main image: Nic Kane
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