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Mooch worked in partnership with Strange Cargo Arts whose Millennium exhibition, Like the Back of my Hand cast the hands of people in the Folkestone community aged from a few months to 100 years. SCA were then invited to be display the hands along the approach to this central train station. The project was part funded by Arts & Business and opened by the Director of Tate Britain.
Mooch conceived and installed the 55 metre abstract blue splash mosaic in which the hands were set, transforming a previously run down location and creating a dynamic urban space for the seaside town. The splash of blue draws in the traveller to engage with the detail of the beautiful hand casts and the stories they tell.
This installation has been recognised for the positive impact it has made in the community and the realisation of a new icon for Folkestone by Mooch being short-listed for the Arts & Business Public Art Award 2005 and winning the Rouse Public Art Award for Strange Cargo Arts in 2005.
The main image shows the station dressed for the Folkestone Triennial, welcoming visitors as they come to join the 30,00 visitors who have come to visit this extraordinary event in the first 10 days.
View showing the Triennial banners and Strange Cargo's "Other People's Photographs" panel.
Detail of the many metres of mosaic.
The station as it was...yuk!
Paying out the hands locations and the mosaic work starts.
A lot of hard work ahead to get this looking good.
The 1956 hand.
A transformation into a fitting welcome to the town.
One of the contributors to the line of hands.
A very well attended and joyful opening event.
Director of Tate Britain, Stephen Deuchar opens the installation.
Brigitte Orasinski from Strange Cargo casts Stephen Deuchar's hand.
The Blue Splash in full view!