Testing Times

In response to the 2020 lockdowns, In-Situ embarked on a new series of artist residencies to test new ways of making and sharing work with communities in these challenging times.

In-Situ was able to continue introducing Testing Ground residencies will continue until artists to the Pendle landscape via the end of March 2021, marking a full year its innovative and responsive ‘Testing since the pandemic began to drastically impact Ground’ artists residency program, the way we live and work. With this in mind, run in partnership with the Pendle Hill the conclusion of these residencies will provide Landscape Partnership (PHLP) an opportunity to pause, as we learn from the In line with ongoing safety guidelines this has enabled some artists to explore the Pendle Hill landscape in person, where possible, and others to create work remotely, in response to a range of themes. In crisis, we pieced together “ The first Testing Ground resident artist Bethany White explored the Pendle landscape, challenges of the experience. To open this reflection up through working artists and the community, so they can share their experience, is a privilege and something that is key to the In-Situ way of working. Throughout this time, our partnership with PHLP has brought some of the things opportunities, reframing seeking new ways of we sought to explore into our usual social and public facing programme to suit making and sharing focus, as we questioned: how valuable is our time outdoors? the challenging situation caused by COVID-19. This work. ” How accessible is our local landscape? enabled resident artists to pave the way for new methods of working and, so far, this has ranged from experiments with historic scientific tools to collaborative approaches to writing journalism. Recognising the value of our landscape, which we often take for granted, has become more important to many people this year and we hope this can be held onto in the times ahead, as we all look to a brighter future.

Artist in residence Bethany White, without climbing to the Pendle Hill explored the Pendle landscape using Summit and this was another great source cyanotype: a historic photographic of inspiration for Bethany, who reflected: process that uses sunlight to create print-impressions of objects. Bethany visited a number of areas of “The moors on the walk to Pendle hill are really special, there were these rustic red ferns against the vibrant sky and at that moment in “ The prints are unique to a point in time, there’s historic significance something beautiful about time it felt really unique.” and noted Sawley Abbey as a particular highlight: that. The light and even the things you would use, change Bethany also created a cyanotype pack, shared with people ‘It was completely unique - I’d never seen from season to season” throughout Pendle, to create unique artworks such a large space using natural forms that has been kept and preserved” from their local landscapes from parks and No visit to Pendle would be complete woodlands to their own back garden.

This conversation will feed into In-Situ’s wider, ongoing public programme of activity produced in collaboration with the Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership, The Gatherings, which focuses on exploring people and place.

l To find out about In-Situ’s latest projects and how to get involved visit: www.in-situ.org.uk

l To find out more about the National Lottery Heritage Funded Pendle Hill

Landscape Partnership Scheme visit: www.pendlehillproject.com