Guided by an interactive storybook, children follow clues and instructions as they discover hidden pathways on a quest for the secret at the heart of the building. The work lives somewhere between a children’s book, a self-guided tour, an installation and a puzzle, with walking, sound, film and cupcakes.
Children act as both participant and guide – while they are led by the book, they at the same time lead their family members, finding secret rooms full of sound, and films from another place and time. The guiding quest(ion) is how to turn a monumental building on its head – and then set it spinning; how to turn an imposing building into a place where children feel special, essential – feel they have a special knowledge and familiarity, a private relationship to a very public space.
upsidedowninsideout is specially created for each arts centre / gallery building it inhabits and is adapted to suit the buildings layout, history and architectural character.
The work has been created for and performed at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London, Culture Station Seoul, and Arts Centre Melbourne.
London: Sadler’s Wells Theatre (United Kingdom) 2018
Seoul: Culture Station Seoul (South Korea) 2016
Melbourne: Arts Centre Melbourne (Australia) 2015
Created by : one step at a time like this – Suzanne Kersten, Clair Korobacz, Paul Moir, Julian Rickert and Sharon Thompson
Associate Artist: Sam Halmarack
Producer: Richard Jordan Productions and Bureau of Works
Original Book Design: Actual Size
Original Installation Designer: Andrew Bailey
Film Performer: Lydia Richings
Voice of the Building: Siobhan Davies
Film-makers: Roswither Chesher of Vita Films and Martin Collins of Artstrust Productions
Cupcakes: Abby Leung of Abby’s Workshop
Created by : one step at a time like this – Suzanne Kersten, Clair Korobacz, Paul Moir, Julian Rickert and Sharon Thompson
Producer: Richard Jordan Productions and Nina Bonacci
Original Book Design: Actual Size
Original Installation designer: Andrew Bailey
Project Operation: Jungsoo and Culture&U
Translator: Junyoung Lee
Created by : one step at a time like this – Suzanne Kersten, Clair Korobacz, Paul Moir, Julian Rickert and Sharon Thompson
Commissioned by: Arts Centre Melbourne (Family Program) 2015
Producer: Richard Jordan Productions and Kara Ward
Project Manager: Kara Ward
Book Design: Actual Size
Installation designer: Andrew Bailey
Stage Manager: Bindi Green
Film Performer: Anaya Sandon-Gould
Audio Performer: Sandy Green