The Grand Tour is the formative cultural experience of the 18th century traveller – made modern day. It invites you to view the treasures of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire through the eyes of today’s leading artists, in a partnership of Nottingham Contemporary, Chatsworth, Derby Museums and The Harley Gallery, together with Experience Nottinghamshire and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire.
As part of The Grand Tour Fringe programme, Nottingham City Museums and Galleries have invited artist Alison Lloyd to create a series of Grand Tour Walks, offering fresh perspectives on the collections, architecture and landscape at Nottingham Castle and Newstead Abbey. Lloyd adopts the role of a ‘woman on the Grand Tour’, breaking free from the confines of house and garden to explore the architecture, landscapes and vistas of two of Nottinghamshire’s most significant heritage sites.
Participants are invited to explore the buildings and their immediate grounds on a short walk or go further into the landscape on a long walk, following in the footsteps of Lord Byron at Newstead Abbey, or taking in panoramic views from the Castle terrace, before roaming the urban landscape of the city centre.
For the Newstead walks, Alison will wear a hat created for her by artist Kashif Nadim Chaudry, which takes its inspiration from late 18th/early 19th century hats in the Museum’s Costume collection, and the Albanian headdress worn by Byron in a famous portrait by Thomas Phillips, now on display in the National Portrait Gallery.
Lloyd often photographs herself in the landscape – a lone figure on the horizon, or close-up details of hiking feet. The images suggest uncertainty, even vulnerability but at the same time assert her right to be ‘uncontained’. A series of photographs depicting Alison walking within the Castle are on display at Nottingham Castle Museum & Art Gallery until 6 September 2015.
EVENT DATES
Grand Tour Walks – Contouring: Castle and City
Nottingham Castle – Saturday 25 July, 10.30am (Approx. 2 miles)
Nottingham Castle – Sunday 26 July, 10.30am (Approx. 4.5 miles)
Grand Tour Walks – Contouring: Newstead
Newstead Abbey – Sunday 9 August, 1.00pm (Approx. 2 miles)
Newstead Abbey – Sunday 16 August, 1.00pm (Approx. 4.5 miles)
Notes:
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Booking is essential for the walks:
Castle Walks – £5.00 each
Newstead Walks – £7.00 each (includes parking, which is usually £6.00 per day)
One ticket admits one person to the site on the day of the walk and to the walk itself. Places are limited so advance booking is essential, purchase tickets in advance via Eventbrite where you can also find more information regarding terms and conditions. *
www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/nottingham-castle-museum-amp-art-gallery-8183157918?s=39129814
*Walks will go ahead whatever the weather! Therefore, walkers are advised to dress appropriately.
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The Grand Tour Walks are funded by Arts Council England and D2N2. The Grand Tour reinterprets world class collections through contemporary art at four venues in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, with a fringe programme at other leading venues across the two regions. Season one, 4 July – 20 September. www.grandtour.uk.com
For further information, or booking enquiries, please contact:
Colette Griffin, colette.griffin@nottinghamcity.gov.uk t. 0115 876 1433