SPACE HOPPER 2010:
TRAVEL SCHEME
BRUCE DAVIES
‘Space Hopper 2010: Travel Scheme’ provided an alternative mode of transport around the former RAF site by offering participants the chance to hire a space hopper to bounce around a signposted track. On one level it appeared to be merely a fun way to get around the site but beneath the humour the work encouraged participants to consider what is ‘acceptable’ behaviour in the landscape in a challenge to the hegemony of walking as the primary motive for being outdoors.It questioned the possibilities of developing new ways of ‘being’ in the landscape which enable us to explore and question long held assumptions about our cultural activities in the countryside and what the contemporary landscape is now for? By encouraging people to engage in a spoof ‘leisure services’ type activity -–bouncing round a track on a space hopper I attempted to humorously raise awareness of how we physically engage with ‘landscapes’ to ask participants to consider how it should be used and managed for the future.
Cover and additional photos: pages 12/13/16/17/20/21 - Oliver Rudkin/courtesy happidrome archive
© 2011 Bruce Davies. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author.
‘Space Hopper 2010: Travel Scheme’ was presented at ’Happidrome4’as part of a group show of 5 artists work that related to the contexts of the site at Goonhilly Downs, Lizard peninsular in Cornwall. The focus of the weekend long event of 1112 September 2010, was the former WW2 RAF Dry Tree radar station bunker. It was delivered in partnership with Natural England, ACE and curated and organised by artist Sara Bowler. The Happidrome and surrounding site, as a venue is well placed for visitors. It has the advantage of being a popular destination for walkers being at the heart of a National Nature Reserve and is close to a strategic crossroad for the Lizard peninsula. It is 4 miles from the nearest Hamlet and 7 miles to the nearest town.
Bruce Davies has an established and dynamic practice that has become notable for the extensive platforms he has created for the presentation of his work and for the formulation of his ideas. His interests in exploring practical applications for contemporary art, visual enquiry and research are prominent in his site specific explorations of contemporary land use. Recognition of the contexts of place play a fundamental part in the success of these often ambitious land based and urban projects that have been staged both across the UK and internationally. He is based in West Cornwall, UK.