Following a successful debut in 2020, Electric Medway returned last summer with an ambitious 10-day arts programme which was held in a variety of locations, with free-to-see artworks and activities including virtual reality, streamed performances, animation, projection and sound.
“This year’s event will again give our incredible artists and people involved in the creative industries an opportunity to make, perform and exhibit new work online and in public spaces. Just like last year, I am delighted that Electric Medway will again support young artists and creatives with paid work opportunities and artist mentoring.”
Synchronised was last year’s creative focus for the festival. Artists created digital work that explored how people, over the years, have built order in their lives at times of chaos. They told stories we can all relate to; of life moving in, and out, of sync.
They responded to ideas around REPEATED RITUALS - pattern, routine and reprogrammed behaviour, COLLECTIVE ACTION - shared recovery and civic duty and DISRUPTED REALITY - truth-telling and awakening to injustice.
Synchronised was curated by Janet Moore and Kevin Grist of the Chatham-based arts organisation, SparkedEcho, which produces digital and site-specific work, using technology, music and art in Medway.
Electric Medway was supported by Medway Council, Arts Council England and was also a Creative Estuary Co-commission - the initiative which aims to showcase 60 miles of the North Kent and South Essex region as one of the UK’s most dynamic and creative areas in the whole of the UK. A special thanks goes to Kent Community Foundation, The Dulverton Trust and Tesco Bags of Help.
We are thankful to our supporting organisations and speakers; Noad Animation, Fort Amherst, Central Theatre, Rochester Art Gallery, Pentagon Shopping Centre, Medway Archives, Medway Libraries, Sun Pier House, Rochester Kino, Theatre31 and our trail of cafe venues, University of Kent and Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries and the Hi3 Network.
We were also pleased to be collaborating with other local events; Medway Rapture Gaming & Creative Festival, Medway Print Festival, Medway Festival of Literature, Bring Back Retro, Medway Pride, Sticks and Stones Festival and TOGETHER by Lucid Creates. Last year's festival ident - Electric Lemons - is by Noad Animation with music by Kain Richardson - www.noad.co.