An imposing geological landmark on the Calf of Man will form the inspiration for a major art and film project and cultural gathering.
The Burroo – Norse for ‘fortress’ – sits at the southern side of the Calf, so is rarely seen.
From 25 March to 11 April, Professor Keith McIntyre will stage an exhibition of large graphic works, inspired by the Burroo, at Isle of Man Airport and at the Market Hall in Douglas, the new arts hub for the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education.
Professor McIntyre, who is Head of Art at Northumbria University, was the College’s external fine art examiner and a driving force behind the Market Hall project. He is vice-chairman of an arts centre in North Uist in the Outer Hebrides and his development of a ruined church into a studio on neighbouring island Berneray featured on Channel 4’s ‘Restoration Man’.
He saw Burroo while at sea taking photos during a recent visit and was inspired to create the project around it.
To coincide with the exhibition, a cultural symposium being held at the Market Hall on 25 March will draw together delegates from the arts, culture, heritage and geology.
The event will be preceded on 24 March by a boat trip to admire the Burroo – christened the ‘drinking dragon’ because a head and neck are created by a vast arch where rock has eroded, while large pinnacles resemble wings and scales.
It’s hoped to harness thoughts, images and other art about the Burroo. Professor McIntyre will use the material to make a film with filmmaker Andy MacKinnon, who runs Uist Films, and whose work centres around social history and the environment in an island setting.
The film, which will be in Manx with subtitles, will be screened at international festivals concentrating on the environment as well as locally.
It’s hoped to offer a local young filmmaker the chance to work on the project.
Helen Fox, Head of Art, Design and Media at the College, is organising the project, which has funding from Culture Vannin and the Isle of Man Arts Council as an Island of Culture 2014 event.
She said:
‘We hope to uncover a diverse range of insights, knowledge and experience about the rock – for instance, of what it’s like under the water there, the tides that shape it, the people who fish around it, the birds that inhabit it and its ecosystem.
‘We’ll ask people to load this up onto a Facebook page and this will form a permanent archive as well as material for the film.’
Helen added:
‘Keith McIntyre is an inspirational figure who is playing an influential role in helping us to develop contemporary art practice and creative industries on the Isle of Man. This project has the potential to strengthen our links with other island cultures and within the contemporary art scene.’
She said:
‘We are still seeking further funding for the project and I would be pleased to hear from anyone who would be interested in adding their name to it.’
To secure a place at the symposium or inquire about the project, email helen.fox@iomcollege.ac.im or ring +44 1624 648200.
