A Crash Course in Cloudspotting is an intimate audio journey exploring the depths of human connection and the subversive act of lying down.
This project began in 2016, when artist Raquel Meseguer Zafe (accidentally) set off a security alert by lying down on the top floor of the Southbank Centre, London. Since then, she has collected over 250 stories about people’s attempts to rest in public who live with hidden disabilities and chronic illnesses around the country.
A Crash Course in Cloudspotting tells some of these stories.
We invite you to enter the beautiful installation space and find a place to rest.
Suspended lights will illuminate your horizontal journey that are activated in real-time by participants taking rest at that very moment in Coventry, across the UK and Europe. Audio speakers will share the collected stories with you, as you continue to rest and delve into the heart of these personal experiences.
“A Crash Course in Cloudspotting is about finding, making, and acknowledging the connections between people….the show lets us imagine ourselves as part of a web reaching out across the world.” Exeunt Magazine.
A Crash Course In Cloudspotting by Raquel Meseguer Zafe, Produced by MAYK. Coventry edition is co-commissioned by Coventry City of Culture Trust and Unlimited with Arts Council England Support. Co-produced by MAYK and Coventry City of Culture Trust with support from Grapevine. Originally commissioned by Camden Alive and Unlimited. Part of the Green Futures programme. Supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund and Severn Trent Community Fund.
Raquel Meseguer Zafe is a UK based dance theatre practitioner. She acknowledges 'crip' as a tool in her artistic process, and 'rest' as a creative impulse. Raquel is the artistic director of Unchartered Collective, a Lost Dog Associate Artist, and a Pervasive Media Studios Resident. Her work is supported by Unlimited and MAYK.
Conceived by Raquel Meseguer Zafe. Devised in collaboration with Artist & Theatre Designer Sophia Clist, Composer & Sound Artist Jamie McCarthy, Associate Artist Laura Dannequin, Artist & Designer Tom Metcalfe, Sound Designer Charles Webber. Software Developers David Haylock & Joseph Horton. Publication Design by Lily Green (No Bindings).
Audience quotes
“Feeling very still, calm, centred and connected. A very powerful experience.”
Audience member, January 2021
“Insightful, thought provoking and moving”.
Bristol Digital Audience Member, May 2021
“A beautiful exquisite and vital experience.”
Bristol Digital Audience Member, May 2021
Add a Resting Story to the evolving archive
UNCHARTERED COLLECTIVE began collecting stories in Autumn 2017, as part of the Resting Spaces survey. So far we have gathering nearly 300 stories. These stories became an integral part of the installation A Crash Course in Cloudspotting, and the Resting Spaces Network Project. The Network asks theatres, galleries and other arts venues to provide Resting Spaces. Our ambition is an app detailing Resting Spaces nationwide, and that you are never more than half an hour from a Resting Space.
We will continue to collect real life stories about resting in public, to inform the installation and make a case for the Network with theatres and funding bodies. You are invited to share your Resting Story here.
JOIN US: Towards A Restful City - UNCHARTERED COLLECTIVE on 3rd October
Join us for our Walk + Talk + Rest on 3rd October, from 12.30-2pm when we will lie down at Coventry Cathedral and Hebert Art Gallery. We will rally at the Lady Godiva statue in Broadgate. Our ambition is to have 50+ people join us on the day. As one campaigner said: “Lie down to stand up for people with invisible disability”.
This installation is audio led and therefore can be enjoyed by blind or partially sighted audiences.
Prior to performances on 7 Oct, 5pm and 16 Oct, 3pm we will be leading touch tours of the installation. The touch tours will begin half an hour prior to the start time.
The piece is unfortunately not accessible for D/deaf audiences. The audio script is available for D/deaf audiences in the space.
We are hosting two relaxed performances on 9th Oct, 2pm & 14th Oct, 5pm.
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