Work by three internationally renowned artists commissioned to explore issues of land ownership in Lancaster is being given a new perspective taking to the skies using the latest UAV technology.
Aerial footage will feed into the newly commissioned artistic project called ‘Landed’ by Layla Curtis, Simon Goldin, Jakob Senneby and Sans Facon. The work is centred on a plot of land on the edge of Lancaster, known as Freeman’s Wood.
John Angus who runs Lancaster’s Storey G2 won funding from Arts Council England to commission artists to research and explore land-ownership and its social effects focussing Freeman’s Wood as an example to communicate and stimulate thought about these issues. Each of the artists will create their own response to the site and the issues they are tackling through their work which will be launched in Spring 2015.
As well as aerial footage the works incorporate stories from local people who have played football, walked their dogs, cycled or just picnicked on the 10acre plot.
Professor Paul Egglestone, from UCLan’s Civic Drone Centre, said: “As well as exploring land ownership we’re equally keen to encourage people to think about who owns sky.
“Whilst the public and property need to be protected from irresponsible drone pilots, and commercial air space needs to be managed properly for everyone’s safety there are some questions about who is responsible for the space immediately above the land.
“We thought connecting these two themes through this art project was both timely and interesting.”
The artists’ footage was recorded by Dave Malby of Aerial Vue. Dave is a fully qualified UAV pilot who has worked extensively for the Health and Safety Executive and the Police as well as the BBC and other television companies. He works with the Civic Drone Centre at UCLan and is currently compiling a new report on drone safety for the Civil Aviation Authority.