Words//Gemma Ross
Twitter//@kubrxck
What could possibly be more fun than taking part in interactive workshops, instead of dragging your weight around that same-old art gallery where all the paintings start to merge together after the first floor? Well, this October, we found none other than a free (yes, FREE in Cambridge) art festival run by Circuit, a collective of young people who organise art events. On the 10th of this month, we saw Circuit take over Jesus Green and Market Square in Cambridge to introduce more young people to our wonderful little art infested world, and also have a bit of a rant about our city.
Twitter//@kubrxck
What could possibly be more fun than taking part in interactive workshops, instead of dragging your weight around that same-old art gallery where all the paintings start to merge together after the first floor? Well, this October, we found none other than a free (yes, FREE in Cambridge) art festival run by Circuit, a collective of young people who organise art events. On the 10th of this month, we saw Circuit take over Jesus Green and Market Square in Cambridge to introduce more young people to our wonderful little art infested world, and also have a bit of a rant about our city.
The 'DO' section of the festival introduced 'Complaints Choir', an area where you could actually complain about the city, free of criticism, and have your complaints made in to one beautifully composed snob-tastic song. 'Model Cambridge' also had it's own workshop, with a little set up of the city entirely made of scraps for people to change completely of their own accord to how they would like to see Cambridge. I guess model making isn't only for kids, although it was quite a hit with them too.
Having taken part in the events throughout the day, I found myself laughing non-stop whilst taking part in what I realised was my most favourable experience: 'Alternative Tours'. I was probably more satisfied when members of the public started giving us strange, confused looks, in all honesty. The tour was literally what the name implies, but weirder. You may have found yourself wondering through the salad isles in Marks & Spencer's being led by the tour guide, or down an old alleyway popping party poppers just to 'brighten the place up a bit'. Oh, and we even had tea and cake on a boat at the end of the tour. How British, right?
Some people seemed particularly angry at Cambridge, which was definitely proved at the 'pop-in-games' tent where I found some pretty funny, creative games. 'License To Walk' attempted to teach you how to navigate around those pesky tourists in the city, while 'Ducked Off' was one big rage game against the ever-growing house prices, in the style of Angry Birds, but with ducks instead. Shooting down houses. Yeah, Angry Ducks.
And finally, the 'SEE' section of the festival kicked off a hip-hop dance duo to lure the unsuspecting public in the the Church where the evening's 'closing party' was held. On entrance, it was hard not to be hit by the intense lights dotted about and the faint smell of beer, as well as a giant projection screen blasting up some old school Leo Dicaprio and Toby Maguire. A Diversity-esque dance troop performed and set an atmosphere for the rest of the night in a room full of what felt like 150 people, and probably was. Free popcorn, live music, spoken poetry and even a mini cinema, all made for one pretty damn good night to finish off this artful protest.