Talks & Seminars
Red River: Listening to a Polluted River | Walk two: Clarity and Opacity
The second in a series of walks exploring the complex impact of human activity on the ecology of the Red River.
'Red River: Listening to a Polluted River' is a research project exploring the complex impact of human activity on the ecology of the small post-industrial river that once ran red with mineral deposits from the tin mines. The project is led by poet and academic Dr John Wedgwood Clarke of the University of Exeter, who was born and raised in West Penwith and has spent the last eighteen months investigating the various histories and ecologies of the river. Over the course of the summer he will lead a series of walks each exploring a different section of the river and anyone with knowledge they would like to share about the river or who is simply curious to find out more is invited to join a small group to walk, listen and discuss.
Each walk will explore a range of themes and ideas, from the historic, botanic and ecologic to the mythic. John will share some of his research and his poetry, and invited guests including members of the Red River Rescuers group and visual artists commissioned as part of the project will also share their research, specialist knowledge and stories.
Clarity and Opacity, is the second walk in the series and will offer reflections on a river interrupted, hybrid landscapes and the hideous sublime.
Setting out from King Edward Mine, we’ll walk through Carn Arthen, Brea and Tuckingmill, passing the South Crofty Site. Then, after crossing the A30 to Tolvaddon, will descend to Great Wheal Seton setting tanks, home of the scarce blue-tailed dragonfly, acid-mine-drainage loving bacteria. We’ll be joined by Dr Laura Newsome, an expert in mine-waste bacteria, Karen Hudson-Edwards, Professor in Sustainable Mining at University of Exeter, Steve Jones dragonfly expert and member of the Red River Rescuers group and artist Naomi Frears who has been commissioned to make new work in response to the river.
For full details and to book a free place please visit our eventbrite page.
Red River: Listening to a Polluted River is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council through their Leadership Fellowship scheme.
Each walk will explore a range of themes and ideas, from the historic, botanic and ecologic to the mythic. John will share some of his research and his poetry, and invited guests including members of the Red River Rescuers group and visual artists commissioned as part of the project will also share their research, specialist knowledge and stories.
Clarity and Opacity, is the second walk in the series and will offer reflections on a river interrupted, hybrid landscapes and the hideous sublime.
Setting out from King Edward Mine, we’ll walk through Carn Arthen, Brea and Tuckingmill, passing the South Crofty Site. Then, after crossing the A30 to Tolvaddon, will descend to Great Wheal Seton setting tanks, home of the scarce blue-tailed dragonfly, acid-mine-drainage loving bacteria. We’ll be joined by Dr Laura Newsome, an expert in mine-waste bacteria, Karen Hudson-Edwards, Professor in Sustainable Mining at University of Exeter, Steve Jones dragonfly expert and member of the Red River Rescuers group and artist Naomi Frears who has been commissioned to make new work in response to the river.
For full details and to book a free place please visit our eventbrite page.
Red River: Listening to a Polluted River is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council through their Leadership Fellowship scheme.
CREDIT
