Bringing Frankenstein to life in Bournemouth (From Bournemouth Echo)

Bringing Frankenstein to life in Bournemouth

10:00am Monday 22nd October 2012 in News By Julie Magee

THE horrors of Mary Shelley’s famous work Frankenstein came to life at the weekend when special effects artist Peter Tindall created his own monster.

Shelley Manor provided the perfect setting for the talented Bournemouth Arts University College lecturer to show off the silicone mask he had spent more than a week moulding.

Peter, who lives in Westbourne and studied model making, spent his early career working in the film and television industry, using his skills to breathe life into various productions including The Wolfman, Dr Who, Batman Begins and Little Britain.

After painstakingly applying the 3D mask to a model, Peter, 45, said: “This is my vision of Frankenstein, it’s taken a lot of time but I’m happy with it. “Unfortunately, despite all the time and effort involved, the mask can only be used once so when I pull it off my model’s face it will be destroyed.”

The fascinating prosthetics talk and demonstration formed a chilling part of the Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival Forever Frankenstein exhibition paying homage to Shelley’s nightmarish novel.

Last week Shelley Manor also provided home for a terrifying monster made up from odds and ends.

The huge sculpture, called ‘This Monster This Things’, had pride of place in the old theatre, alongside two screens showing a series of short animations celebrating Bournemouth’s link to Mary Shelley.

Mary Shelley is buried in St Peter’s churchyard in the town centre, along with the heart of her husband, the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.

There was a Forever Frankenstein creative workshop for children at Shelley Manor on Saturday morning, led by artist Denise Poote.

And when darkness fell images flickered to life at the listed building during a performance featuring steam-punk musicians, accompanying a reading from Frankenstein.

From midday on Sunday storytellers added their own distinctive offerings to complete the atmosphere.

Festival director Carol Maund told the Daily Echo how the giant sculpture on show at Shelley Manor had been made up of pieces donated by 50 artists.

“Paul Noble, who is the favourite to win the Turner Prize, gave something towards the piece, and his partner Georgina Starr donated the brain, which is made out of pink chewing gum. Then the artist Georgia Sadotti transformed all those different things into one amazing artwork; bringing them all to life.”

The exhibition also featured a huge pair of lungs, which slowly fill with air before deflating.

Ms Maund said Shelley Manor had been the perfect venue for the exhibition.

On Sunday another famous Bournemouth writer was celebrated with the Robert Louis Stevenson Jekyll and Hyde historic walk at Alum Chine from 3pm until 4pm.

Local historian Andrew Emery was joined on a gothic adventure from Alum Chine to Skerryvore where Stevenson penned some of his best loved stories.

Ms Maund said: “The festival is much, much bigger this year than when we started out.

“We’ve really pushed the boat out to include as much as we possibly can. It’s a big festival, but it’s been absolutely brilliant. We’ve had some wonderful events and people have been buzzing, so it’s all more than worth it.”

The festival, which is being held for the second year, includes film, dance, visual art, theatre, sound, spoken word, literature and performance in venues across the town.

This week will see events at Pavilion Dance, The Winchester public house, Pier Theatre and much more.

For details on the event, which runs until October 29, visit artsbournemouth.org.uk