Stream of Consciousness is a new immersive VR film experience by Shoreham-based artist Feral Practice that will engage the community at events across the valley in spring and summer 2023.
The 18-minute, 360 degrees VR film begins at dawn in the hills above Westerham, exploring the landscape where the river rises, and ends in the Dartford Marshes at sunset, where the Darent meets the Thames. In between these points it journeys to and celebrates the Darent Valley’s diverse landscapes, unique biodiversity and precious habitats, including wildflower meadows, wetlands, chalk stream, woodlands and agriculture. It visits the ancient trees of Lullingstone Country Park, and links this to the work of the painter Samuel Palmer who lived in Shoreham in the 1830s and drew these great oaks.
The audio of the film is a spoken narration by the artist, layered with recorded conversation and field sound recording. The artist speaks of how the valley has changed through time and opens up the natural histories of the featured wildlife.
360 footage is overlaid with 4K and HD footage which shows details and close-ups of species.
Viewers will be invited to wear VR headsets to immerse themselves in this innovative experience.
Regular VR film screenings, plus hands-on drawing workshops with artist Nicole Mollett inspired by the landscape will run from the DVLPS recognisable silver Airstream Caravan. This new artwork will also feature as part of a touring celebratory community exhibition inspired by Samuel Palmer and the Darent Valley landscape in 2024.
We hope you enjoy this 2-minute excerpt of Stream of Consciousness.
This project was co-financed by the European Union and the European Regional Development Fund.
