Making an Exhibition of Ourselves

From your Elvis in the shower to the tin toys on your shelf, the shell suit in your wardrobe, the photo by your bed… At home: the place we’re most likely to kick off our shoes and be ourselves, display ourselves, give ourselves away; the place we make a private exhibition of our lives.

Over 3 days, members of the public were invited to visit the theatre’s Studio. In the foyer, they found themselves in a front garden complete with plant pots of love; a washing line of scandal and shame; desperate, funny and heartfelt messages in (milk) bottles; a porch of suitcases packed with objects of desire – and a front door. Through the front door and into The Studio-transformed-into-a-home, four suggestions of rooms – a bathroom, living room, kitchen and bedroom – were each furnished, each with its own unique soundscape and lighting design. Visitors were invited to explore, open cupboards, find the unsent letters hidden under the bed (and write their own), dare to open the bedside cabinet of nightmares, relax in the bath of floating dreams and witness a kitchen sink drama…

The interactive installation included contributions from members of 16 organisations, representing a cross section of schools, communities, young people, early years groups and adults, 17 professional artists, and an additional 593 individuals. The project was co-curated with theatre designer Amanda Stoodley, sound designer Peter Rice and lighting designer Kay Harding.

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