ARTeFACT, is an arts project created by artists Neil Baker and Steven Hatton of Electric Egg working with Spalding Gentleman’s Society and arts organisation Transported. The trail is inspired by the museum collection of Spalding Gentlemen’s Society. The trail will be formed of eight etched brass artworks which the public can engage with using augmented reality simply by using their smart phone or a tablet.
The artworks form a trail around Spalding which begins and ends at the museum and leads visitors to other key and historic Spalding locations.
Public Engagement
ARTeFACT aims to encourage people to discover a hidden gem on their doorstep. We hope that through this project, local people become aware of the the Society and museum and pay a visit in person. As part of the project we have undertaken free arts engagement workshops in a local primary school, sixth form, within the museum and in the heart of the town’s busy Saturday market.
Participants helped influence the resulting trail by sharing with Electric Egg about how the selected artefacts made them feel or what they made them think about.
The artwork design is chemically etched into brass. The surfaces are textured and the public will be able to, if they so wish, create their own artworks through rubbings of the artwork. In addition, by downloading a free app, users can hold their smartphone or tablet up to the image which will animate the artwork, bringing it to life.
Discover the Trail
The trail will be launched in a special event, with free drop-in art activities on Saturday 15th July 2023. Visit our ‘Events’ page for more info.
Interpretation on all the artworks and instructions for the augmented-reality will be available on https://www.sgsoc.org/artefact after the launch.
Spalding Gentlemen’s Society
Founded in 1710, the Spalding Gentlemen’s Society is Britain’s oldest surviving provincial learned society. The Museum is home to an eclectic collection of local and international artefacts, and a historic library and archive. Their involvement with this project stems from a desire to open its doors to a greater number of people, many of whom are not aware of the collection on their doorstep. www.sgsoc.org
The Spalding Gentlemen Society’s Museum is open 11.00 – 1.00 every Wednesday and Sunday June 19, 11.00 – 4.00 for Celebrating Fens and Civic weekend. It is free to enter.
Electric Egg
Electric Egg was founded by Neil Baker & Steven Hatton in 2005. Electric Egg work in Film, Photography and Animation for clients across the UK. Alongside commericial commissions they work in the realm of public art creating physical installations, projected artwork and engagement projects. www.electricegg.co.uk
The ARTeFACT trail is being installed with the assistance of Jamie Hawker of J R H Services.
Funding
Supported by Arts Council England, South Holland District Council, &
Lincolnshire County Council.
The Spalding Gentlemen Society is supported by it’s members, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, Museum Development East Midlands, The Pilgrim Trust, The Leche Trust, Accredited Museum and Association of Independent Museums.
