Artist causes a stink with film of Lincolnshire coast

September 2009. With assistance from the Aroma Company, artist Melissa Bliss captures the aromas of Lincolnshire.

Entitled “HINTERLAND”, the film focuses on four residents of Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire.

Screened at the Leciester Children’s Holiday Centre, whilst watching the footage, audience members were invited to “rub to release” aromas associated with certain scenes within the film;

lavender during views across the area’s marshland
fish with the images of pups at a seal sanctuary
roast chicken during a discussion of holidays and types of meals at the children’s holiday centre
cut grass, when shown an art gallery which has been built in a local garden

The four differing fragrances were created and supplied by The Aroma Company. One aroma was printed per page and all four pages were collated with a paper fastener (split pin).

The film was commissioned by Beacon Art Project (in partnership with East Lindsey District Council) for the SEAS festival.

More information:

Melissa Bliss: www.livingcinema.org Melissa Bliss is an artist based in London. Her key interests are people and place and internal and external geographies. She uses a variety of media such as video, photography, sound, performance and installation.

Beacon Art Project: www.beaconartproject.org Beacon is a visual art organisation with charity status based in Lincolnshire. It works nationally and internationally. Beacon is an invited partner for the UK Black/North SEAS project.

Leicester Children’s Holiday Centre: www.childrensholidaycentre.co.uk One of the oldest charities in Leicester, over the last 100 years it has been offering holidays to disadvantaged children during the summer holidays.

Intercult North SEAS Festival: www.seas.se SEAS is an arts initiative which is taking place around the Black and North Sea regions during 2008 and 2009. Skegness, the only UK venue, will be one of the 10 locations hosting this project.

Skegness International: www.skegnessinternational.com 9 days of performances/exhibitions in Skegness & Mablethorpe, which uses art experiences to attract new visitors to Lincolnshire and the coast. Local young people, arts businesses and voluntary arts organisations will also be involved in a range of ways.