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The Walk to Dover
Lali Chetwynd
25 August - 3 September 2005
Various venues

IMAGES: The Walk to Dover, 2005
Lali Chetwynd

A Studio Voltaire commission, courtesy of Herald St., London

The Walk to Dover is a new off-site commission for Studio Voltaire by artist Lali Chetwynd. The project will involve a seven-day expedition from London to Dover by a group of walkers in full costume, as well as a welcoming reception on the White Cliffs of Dover. The Walk to Dover will be Studio Voltaire’s third artists’ commissions following Liam Gillick (2004) and Joanne Tatham and Tom O’Sullivan (2005).

Emulating the narrative from Charles Dickens' semi-autobiographical novel, David Copperfield, Chetwynd will lead a group of walkers from London to Dover. The walk will retrace Copperfield’s journey from a Blacking Warehouse in London to Dover where he found sanctuary with his Aunt, Betsy Trotwood. As David Copperfield foraged for food on his journey, so will the group attempt to live off the land, looking for food for free. Copperfield’s journey also tracks his shifting social status, exploring class structures in Victorian England. The project will involve the creation of a makeshift structure on the White Cliffs of Dover, representing Betsy Trotwood’s House.

The Walk to Dover will draw comparisons between Victorian “Debt Prisons” and our current credit card culture. This builds on recent investigations into concepts of debt and a specific interest in the advice of Alvin Hall, the television financial guru. Working in collage, painting and performance, Chetwynd recreates iconic moments from histories of art, literature, music and cinema, re-enacting them in a deliberately improvised and amateurish style. Previous works have taken narratives from popular films such as Star Wars and The Incredible Hulk as well as referring to art house classics such as Fassbinder and Ken Russell. Many projects iconoclastically use a multitude of layered references, for example Chetwynd’s recent performance for Becks Futures at the ICA presented debt-counsellors and heavy metal musicians set against the backdrop of stage-sets based on details from Giotto’s frescoes. Other scenarios included versions of The Garden of Earthly Delights and The Temptation of St. Anthony.

Lali Chetwynd was nominated for Beck’s Futures in 2005 and has previously staged performances at Gasworks, London (2004) and Tate Britain, London (2003). The artist has participated in various group exhibitions including Herald St, London (2005) and White Columns, New York (2005) and Barbara Gladstone Gallery, New York (2005). Chetwynd is represented by Herald St, London

Cruikshank’s Print Stall
Thursday 25 August 2005, 12-3pm
Come and work your fingers to the bone, watercolouring prints for only a bob at Cruikshank’s Print Stall. No need to book, just turn up and enjoy the toil! Please note that children must be accompanied by real adults.

At: Museum of Childhood, London, E2

The Mugging
Friday 26 August 2005, 1-2pm
Join the walkers as they begin their journey to Dover. Re-enacting a key part of the journey from David Copperfield, the group will be mugged by a heartless thief. Just having all their worldly goods stolen, the walkers will then continue to Greenwich. Nettle biscuits and blackberries will be available at the event.

At: The Obelisk, St Georges Circus, London, SE1

Betsy Trotwood’s House
Saturday 3 September 2005, 3-5pm
At the end of their expedition, the walkers will arrive at Betsy Trotwood’s House where they will be welcomed by the infamous aunt with a kite flying reception and cream teas on White Cliffs of Dover. Artists Daniel Wallis and Emma Parsons will be leading a kite-making workshop. No booking required, all children must be accompanied by an adult.

At: South Foreland Lighthouse, Dover

The Walk to Dover is financially supported by The Elephant Trust
With special thanks to the National Trust, Museum of Childhood, London,
and Turner Contemporary, Margate.