Art / News
Mirror-box sculpture comes to park
I would be here if I could claims to be the UK’s largest collaborative social art project.
The project transports a mirror box, designed and built by a Bristol-based company, Amalgam, which is made of two-way mirrors.
When inside the box, a person can see outside but from the outside the person inside seemingly disappears.
The Mirrorbox is reflective from the outside but transparent from the inside- photo Rhiannon Lodato
The project is intended to send a message about being both present and absent, a feeling familiar to those with myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue or ME) and long Covid, a condition in which patients experience symptoms of Covid long after infection.
People with ME or long Covid send in voice recordings describing one of their favourite places and why they love it.
When visitors step inside the Mirrorbox they will hear an audio recording by the person who chose this location responding to the question, ‘If you could go anywhere, where would you go?’
The project’s founder, Alison Larkman, is a Bristol-based artist and former international rower.
She has studied at the Chelsea College of Art, Newlyn Art School and Spike Island but, after being diagnosed with ME, she found herself bedbound and “dreaming about where she would be if she could”.
‘I would be here if I could’ aims to give a voice to those isolated by ME. and long Covid – photo: Rhiannon Lodato
I would be here if I could seeks to reconnect people with the places they love while also giving them an opportunity to have their stories heard by visitors to the Mirrorbox.
After listening to the audio testimony, visitors have the opportunity to write to the person who has chosen that place, providing connection in the face of isolating medical conditions.
The spot at Ashton Court, chosen by LJ, who is suffering with long Covid, is situated next to an oak tree which she describes as her “sanctuary”.
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As well as LJ, Lizzy Horn’s voice has been heard as part of this project.
On June 1 the box was brought to Troopers Hill, one of Lizzy’s favourite places.
Lizzy can no longer visit Troopers Hill due to the effects of ME but Alison Larkman hopes the project will give her a sense of connection to the place she loves so much.
One visitor described hearing Lizzy’s message as “a wonderful and meaningful experience; a chance to connect with people”.
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I would be here if I could is travelling to Glastonbury Tor for its third instalment on June 18.
The project’s website houses many more answers to the question of where a person would be if they could, and the project hopes to continue for years to come, allowing people to stay connected to places they can no longer visit.
Main photo: Rhiannon Lodato
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