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EXPLORING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THROUGH ART

On Saturday 27 May in Truro the Cornwall Artist Network (CAN) is launching a photographic book exploring the environment of 3 rivers in Cornwall


The Watermark exhibition and book launch is supported by Cycleau Cornwall (www.cycleaucornwall.org.uk <http://www.cycleaucornwall.org.uk/> ) and will be at the Foyer of New County Hall, Truro - Saturday 27th May 7pm - 9pm. The exhibition is open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 4pm. (Launch invite in earlier e-mail)



The CAN Project was set-up in 2005 by photographic artists Becky Joiner and Matthew Pontin to develop a network for delivering art projects and commissions within Cornwall. Watermark is their first undertaking and evolved from Joiner working with Cycleau Cornwall along the Red River and seeing potential to extend this research by commissioning other artists to explore other Cornish rivers. The publication and exhibition during Fal River Festival emerged with further advice and support from RANE (University College Falmouth) and Cycleau Cornwall.



Cycleau is a European-funded project to improve the environment of our rivers, coasts and estuaries. It is hosted in Cornwall by the Natural Environment Service of Cornwall County Council. A key part of the project is to involve all people in understanding the issues that impact on our river systems and the land that surround them.



Cycleau Co-ordinator, Loveday Jenkin says "The Red River, Fal and Fowey have catchments that cover about a third of Cornwall's land area and many environmental issues impact on them. By working with artists we are able to interpret these scientific issues in a different way. This enables people to see the value of the rivers and their catchments from a different perspective. People can see the beauty above and below the water and the interaction of the water with human activities."



Becky Joiner from CAN says, "I investigate the original path of the Red River, Matt Pontin unravels the interdependent relationship between local community and the Fal and Helford rivers, Ben Ellis literally enters the Fowey and journeys with it from source to sea and Jane Atkinson provides a link in researching the significance of trace elements within each river."



The four artists involved approach the same notion of river from different angles and essentially reveal the unique attributes of these natural environments and point out a necessity to consider sustainable ways to coexist alongside them. The 72 page book includes text by Dr Daro Montag, Dr Loveday Jenkin and Dr Nancy Roth. Contact www.canproject.org for more information about the book and CAN Project.



The book launch and weekend exhibition will be accompanied by two mobile photographic exhibitions during Fal River Festival - www.falriverfestival.co.uk)


Watermark will be shown on King Harry Ferry from 27th May - 10th June
Open during ferry running times.


Watermark will also appear on the Enterprise Boat - Falmouth to Truro
27th May - 10th June, 2006 during ferry running times.



Exhibition postcards will also be available to the public on all Fal River Links services



Press contact: For further information please contact: Dr Loveday E.T. Jenkin Cycleau Co-ordinator on 01872 323834