Conversations and Memories – A Celebratory Weekend at Crich Tramway Village
A weekend celebrating the installation of contemporary sculptures by Musson+Retallick, commemorating the contribution of tramway families to the First World War, will take place on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th April 2018 at Crich Tramway Village, Derbyshire.
The permanent installation, ‘Conversations and Memories’ is a legacy to the tramway men, women and their families whose lives were lost or changed by the Great War. Artistic duo Musson+Retallick were winners in the 2017 International Civic Trust Awards for their Somme Memorial Artwork in Barnsley.
Tramways throughout the UK lost many men to the war effort. The tramway industry was also host to significant social change. Female tram workers became very visible in positions of authority, yet it was a decade before emancipation. Recruitment trams were the scene for life-changing moments. Injured men returning from war often could not physically access trams. The National Tramway Museum’s Nationally Designated collections include a range of fascinating material relevant to the period, including oral history recordings, rolls of honour, employee records, wage books and photographs.
Musson+Retallick have used the Museum archives and community engagement to inspire the final artwork, which consists of groups of abstract steel figures, standing in different locations around Crich Tramway Village. Each group of figures will represent a different story relating to material in the collection.
The artists have developed designs through a series of creative workshops with visitors, local schools, community groups, and museum volunteers. The celebratory weekend will include post-installation talks and walk arounds with Musson+Retallick.
Curator of Crich Tramway Village, Laura Waters, said:
“We will be offering sessions that allow access to parts of the Museum’s collection, not usually available to view, which inspired the artworks. There will also be art activities for children and families throughout the weekend, as well the opportunity to ride on the historic trams and explore the rest of the Tramway Village”.
‘Conversations and Memories’ has been made possible by National Lottery players through the Heritage Lottery Fund’s First World War then and now programme, Arts Council England, Derbyshire Freemasons through Foundation Derbyshire and Derbyshire County Council’s Community Leadership Scheme. Museum Development East Midlands’ Working with Artists programme has supported the Museum in the development of the project and the selection of Artists.
Opening times for the event are: 10am – 5.30pm. (last admissions at 4pm)
For further information and to purchase admission tickets go to www.tramway.co.uk or call 01773 854321.
Follow Crich Tramway Village on Facebook: @crichtramwayvillage
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