ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: SUE LAWTY
World Beach Project
Devised by Sue Lawty in association with the V&A.
What is the World Beach Project?
The World Beach Project is a global art project open to anybody, anywhere, of any age. Building on the experience many of us have of making patterns on beaches and shorelines, this project combines the simplicity of making patterns with stones with the complexities of shape, size, colour, tone, composition, similarity and difference.
It is really easy to join in - see the instructions below, or go straight to the map and see what others have been been doing . You can also see Sue Lawty explain how to get involved in the project by watching the World Beach Video .
Stone drawing, Porth Ysgo, made by person unknown
Why is it all about stones?
Sue's idea for this project has always been based around patterns made with stones. That means no seashells, seaweed, driftwood or other flotsam and jetsam commonly found on beaches.
Read more about Sue's inspiration for these drawings made with stones here .
How it works:
The project happens in two stages, in two locations: first, at a beach where you choose the stones and make your pattern, recording the work-in-progress with some photographs along the way. Then later, at a computer, you can upload the photographs to this website to complete the project.
Stage One: At the beach
1. Find an area where you can make your pattern without being threatened by the incoming tide. This could be some clear sand or shingle.
2. Start looking around for stones to make your pattern with. This may seem a little difficult at first, but after some careful looking, certain kinds of stones will start to catch your eye, and you will begin to notice lots of different shapes, sizes and colours. Collect as many as you need to get started on a pattern but don't include other things you might find on the beach like seaweed or driftwood, we are looking for patterns made only with stones.
3. You might want to sort your stones before you start laying out the pattern. You could group them by colour, tone (shade of a colour), by size or by shape. Even when the stones look very similar, if you study them closely you will see many differences. Soon you will naturally be working out your own special way of ordering them in a way that simply makes sense to you.
4. Make your pattern. You might plan it as you are collecting the stones, or as you are sorting and arranging them. You might even create the pattern as you go along.
5. Keep going until you have finished the pattern, run out of stones, or run out of inspiration! You can always collect more if you need them to finish your design. This is when you may suddenly decide to hunt for that one vital missing shape or colour - and chances are you won't give up until you've found it!
6. Take three photographs. If you take more than three you will need to select just the best three as that is all you can upload in the second stage when you are at the computer.
You will need:
Photo 1: The WHOLE BEACH - where you made your pattern, the environment and weather
Photo 2: The PROCESS - this could show people searching, sorting or laying out the stones. If you are camera shy, you can include just your hands or even the materials by themselves.
Photo 3: The ARTWORK - Last but not least, a photo of your finished stone pattern before it is washed away by the tide!
Stage Two: At a computer
1. Find your three photographs of:
-
The WHOLE BEACH
-
The PROCESS
-
The ARTWORK
Remember:
- If you used a digital camera, you will need to transfer the three image files you want to use onto your computer
- If you did not use a digital camera, you will need to get your photos developed, scanned and saved onto your computer
Once your photos are on a computer you need to make sure you have copies that are no bigger than
2Mb (2000k) in size so they will transfer to our website.
2. Go to the map page and search for the exact location of the beach where you made your pattern. You will need to zoom in on the map and drag around the screen to get as close as you can to the right beach.
3. Click the button labelled 'I want to add my beach project to the map' to add your 3 images. Follow the instructions on screen.
You will be asked for:
- The name of the beach or the nearest place to where you made the pattern
- The date you made it (year only)
You will also be given the chance to write a few words about your experience (max 500 characters, including spaces).
4. Once you have uploaded your images, they will be checked by someone from the V&A web team before they can go onto the website. This is done to make sure all content is suitable for a family audience. We will do this as quickly as possible.