CROMEN
During lockdown 2020, Rees urgently felt the need to engage in a methodical healing and recovery process to remember how to be an artist.
With the support of an Arts Council Wales stabilisation grant, he underwent a weeks ‘artist in restoration’ on the Taliesin Arts Centre stage in Swansea to explore, invent and play with a system. The result was CROMEN, a structure/ sculpture/ framework made from recycled wooden pallets – a space for sanctuary, shelter, quietude and meditation, a repository and incubator of ideas, conversation, memories, discussion and performance to authentically consider, confront and navigate the issues and challenges arising from the current altered cultural landscape.
Due to further lockdown restrictions, he was unable to share the process live with an audience/artists as originally intended so shifted focus on the creation of a film.
CARBON < 19 a movement mantra considers how art and culture can respond to a time like this, and how it can provide a place for contemplation and reflection.
Dave Mangenner Gough (creative brother)
Jenny Hall (architect/designer)
Eifion Porter (carpenter)
Helen Ognjenovic-Morgan (textile artist)
Isabel Griffin (creative producer)
This project was made possible by the Arts Council of Wales Stabilisation Fund through the National Lottery Fund. Thanks to Taliesin Arts Centre, National Theatre Wales, University of Tasmania & Ten Days on the Island
CROMEN has since developed into CRO|PAN a collaboration with Pickle Factory Dance Foundation, India in partnership with The British Council and National Eisteddfod Wales