CARLOS TROWER

THE TEAM: Olivia Neale, Nour Kayyal, Susan Gurung, Charles Khai

Research Aim - The project aimed to inspire and bring together communities by telling the story of Carlos Trower, a nineteenth century tightrope walker who escaped slavery and used this platform to promote the emancipation of enslaved people. We aim to tell his story in a sensitive and appropriate manner in order to facilitate inter-generational conversation around how to commemorate Carlos Trower.

The Clients - Our Main Client was Myers-Insole Local Learning. But we also worked alongside Circomedia, Dr. Paul Green, Ruth Pitter, St Michael's on the Mount Primary School and many others.

The Team - Olivia Neale, Nour Kayyal, Susan Gurung, Charles Khai

Our main brief was to create two exhibitions in Bristol that inspired and brought together local communities through the story of Carlos Trower. Carlos Trower escaped slavery to become one of the world’s greatest tightrope walkers. His altruistic character benefited others of the time and there is an importance to sharing his story at the moment especially with the increased desire to better represent multi- culturalism within Bristol’s community.

Our exhibition sites were Bristol Beacon (formerly known as Colston Hall where Carlos performed in 1888) and Finish Gallery on Christmas Steps (located opposite the house where Carlos and his family once lived).

Due to the pandemic our engagement with those on the project was through many zoom calls. We had many smaller weekly meetings with our client, larger meetings with the whole team and some interviews with individuals that we were collaborating with.

Our final proposals included:

•Bristol Beacon – Six performances created through layered wooden silhouette pieces. A tape-tightrope on the floor leading the viewers around the space and a ribbon circus-top over-hanging the foyer.

•Christmas Steps – Two information plinths, two seats and a screen. We have created illuminated plinths, which creates a subtle and sensory design that adds to the atmosphere of the dark gallery space.

Collaborating with St Michael’s on the Mount Primary School was important for the project and we proposed activities for them to learn about Carlos Trower. The pieces they create will be exhibited in the spaces.

We also managed to successfully obtain a Community Grant from UWE, which will go towards having two performers choreograph and perform within the exhibition.

We hope to see our exhibition come to life in May 2021!