Culture
Culture strands flow through SCAMPs seascapes and marine environment explore peoples’ past, present, and future relationship with their coastal and marine environment. Whether that be art practices which explore and collaborate with the Solway’s ecosystems, archaeology that uncovers the secrets of our relationship with the biodiversity of the past, or people seeking wellbeing from our Solway seascapes.
As part of our SCAMP development work, we have commissioned two blueprints. We have invited a group of artists (SEAS) with a practice that works with ecosystems to bring together a blueprint for the integrated role of arts practices through SCAMP delivery. This includes artists collaborating with environmental partners, coastodians and ecosystems through an imaginative, reflective and thought provoking lens.
SCAMP Landscape Connections felt it was important to invite artists to be involved at the early development stage of the project, exploring possibilities and innovative ways of working. Dr Saskia Coulson of SEAS explains;
“Being involved at the beginning means we can build something that truly reflects the Solway coast and the people who care about it. I’m excited to explore bring communities closer to this special place and inspire new ways of seeing and understanding it.”
Ted Leeming of SEAS, goes on to say;
“By embedding the arts in the early stages of SCAMP, the program shifts from measuring change to encountering it. Including multiple perspectives that hold environment, community, and society in continuous conversation invites projects to consider wider forms of value, and deeper possibilities for all users of place.” (Image 3732 text to quotes)
Meanwhile Edinburgh University has been commissioned to develop an “Archaeology of the Tide” Blueprint for the delivery stage which will explore how to embed the role of archaeology to collaborate with the nature restoration work to help us understand our human relationship with marine and coastal biodiversity. By uncovering a better understanding of the past, we hope future solutions will be found for fostering and connecting people with the nature restoration work.
Wellbeing is also an important strand of SCAMPs plans for helping people to connect with their seascape and marine environment. The Solway coast has been an important wellbeing destination in the past with resorts like Powfoot being developed in Victorians times with a Tidal pool for people to benefit from saltwater bathing. With growing interest and awareness in the health benefits of wild saltwater swimming, we are exploring the re-establishment of biodiversity friendly Tidal pool/s across the Solway. Jacqueline Crowther from the Machars Mermaids Wild Swimming Group explains;
“We are very excited to be working with Chris Romer-Lee, author of “Sea Pools”, on this project. Chris brings with him lots of experience and expertise in working on similar “watery projects”, particularly up here in Scotland.
The Machars Mermaids sea swim regularly all year round but swims are tide dependent. Having a tidal pool and being able to sea swim and reap the benefits anytime, is the dream.” ( Machars mermaid image below to go next to quote)
