Documentation of the R&D process for The Common Line project March-September 2018. A partnership project between Blind Ditch, Controlled Frenzy, and Geography at University of Exeter with support from Rural Recreation. Funded by AHRC-EPSRC this R&D was kindly supported by University of Cumbria.

The Common Line - AHRC-EPSRC R&D

The Common Line

The Common Line R&D process

A participatory arts project developed from crowd-sourced creative writings by bus passengers about their journies on the D bus in Exeter. Commissioned by University of Exeter, Arts and Culture 2018 in partnership with Stagecoach.

D-tour: thoughts looking sidewards

D-Tour: thoughts looking sidewards

D-Tour: thoughts looking sidewards – single channel video

ICOD_Icographic_05_full

Colourful interactive map of Buckland estate in Newton Abbot

HappeningHere!Map

Happening Here!

An interactive map of Buckland

Culture & Review On Phonic Fm: August 2015: Culture Hour – O-B-A-F-G Special

O-B-A-F-G

Collaborative audio work and radio documentary

A short edit of This City's Centre, 3. Here Now, a performance incorporating live video streaming, staged between a third-floor office space in Princesshay, Exeter and the streets and homes of the city. This City's Centre was a digital triptych for Exeter. Developed by Blind Ditch in 2013 in partnership with Exeter Phoenix, RAMM, Exeter College and funded by Arts Council England, Exeter City Council and Arts and Culture at University of Exeter.

Performers in order of appearance: Phil Smith, Katy Villa, Jonny Rowden, Students from Exeter College, Jane Mason, Lizzy Humber. Music is from Consort of Fower Parts composed by Matthew Locke in Exeter 1660 ca. played by Cat Radford on accordian outside Exeter Cathedral. Camera by Philibert Patricot. Edit Volkhardt Müller.

This City's Centre 3. Here,Now

This City’s Centre

This City’s Centre 3. Here, Now – video trailer

Volkhardt Müller (Blind Ditch) and John Wylie (Cultural Geography, University of Exeter) discuss This City's Centre 1. Window

Private Views and Public Art

A long journey through the city centre shopping centre livens up the morning (August, 2008).

Global Player - the long play

Global Player

Global Player – the long play

A 24 minute documentary on the process and impact of the project including interviews with partners and collaborators. Filmed in 2007 in PAL!

VANLAND Documentary

VANLAND

VANLAND documentary about our working process 2004-07

Short video work using 'home movie' footage created to be used in the performance and installation 'Who Wants to be a Hero Now' in 2006. Edit Volkhardt Mueller, sound John Levack Drever, words Natalie Mcgrath performed by Cat Radford. Child Lena Mueller.

Divine

Who Wants to be a Hero Now?

Divine – video used in the 2006 installation

Young graffiti artist Spike gives our caravan a face-lift. Too many people on country fairs have been suspecting we're selling caravans. No more of that from now on!

VANLAND Trailer 2006

VANLAND trailer 2006

A collection of documents and media produced over the course of 20+ years.

A single channel video work developed from creative writings and audio recordings contributed by passengers crossing Exeter on the D bus.

Public Realm

Crowd Sourced

Creative Writing

Video

Inside the D bus at night a girl wears orange gloves

Dbusrouteinside

The D bus route runs through Exeter from the eastern suburbs of the Sowton industrial estate, through the city centre to the University of Exeter&#8217;s Streatham Campus. Over the course of a week, we invited travellers on the bus to take part in 6 creative writing activities. We then invited other D bus passengers to choose some of these writings to read out and record. These recordings mixed with interviews with bus drivers from the route, form the structure and soundtrack for this 12 minute single channel video. All contributions are anonymous.

Commissioned by <a href="https://www.artsandcultureexeter.co.uk/">Arts and Culture</a> at University of Exeter and supported by Stagecoach. Screened on the D bus as part of the Community Day Celebration on the Streatham Campus 17th March 2018, and for the launch event of Arts and Culture at Rougemont Castle, October 2018.
With many thanks to the D bus drivers and passengers who contributed to this work.

<div class="content_boxes">Concept &amp; production by <a href="http://bd.bowt.club/about/">Paula Crutchlow &amp; Volkhardt Müller</a>. Support with public interactions, recordings &amp; screening design from University of Exeter student volunteers Tashy Hughes, Fiona Ibbetson &amp; Henry Ormrod. Signage Design by Absolute Catastrophe.</div>

The D bus at the traffic lights on the edge of town

Dbusroutetrafficlights

Inside the empty D bus with sunlight between the seats

Dbusrouteemptybus

The D bus route sign on Digby Drive with houses in the background

DbusrouteDigby

Inside the D bus a woman's hair and people standing

Dbusroutewomanshair

Inside the D bus a woman uses a mobile phone

Dbusroutemobilephone

A sign advertising the screening of the D tour film on a bus