Alison Neighbour | The Quest for Engagement | Watershed
Channel: Watershed
Date: 2022-04-01

Alison Neighbour is an artist and scenographer. She creates work that places the audience at the centre of the live experience, and seeks to use art to activate and empower communities and to connect people and place. Lately she has been experimenting with "participatory scenography", where the physical shape of the work echoes the story, and where the work cannot exist without the participation of the audience.

Beacons was a month long Quest across the whole district of Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh. It led the audience on a journey to discover more about their local and global connections to the eco-system, and introduced them to the myth of the Sea Gooseberries, our magical ancient ancestors. The Quest was supposed to end with a big finale that would only be possible if every Questor played their part- would the audience buy into the story enough to turn up? Would the Sea Gooseberries be reunited? All will be revealed! 

Alison and Tarim will talk about their approach to using game mechanics to entice new audiences, and the risks and joys of a very ambitious experiment in audience engagement. They may even be joined by some very special guests!

Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday 1st April 2022 at 1pm for the talk and to take part in the discussion afterwards.

Address:
Watershed, 1 Canon's Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX

Directions:
The Lunchtime talks take place in the Pervasive Media Studio Event Space. To access the Studio, please go to the Main Watershed Box Office entrance and go upstairs to the Café Bar. Walk across the cafe bar, turn right and walk towards the double doors. Go through into the corridor and walk all the way down until you reach the Studio. A member of staff will sign you in, and check your ticket, if you have booked.

The Studio is wheelchair accessible, and the events space has a hearing loop. The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted.