Based partly at Monkton Lodge, in the heart of the West Dean Estate, and on the edge of woodland, you will be invited to explore your relationship with nature from new perspectives based on thinking around deep ecology, slowing time and making new connections. Through performative exercises, we’ll imagine how other beings sense and inhabit their environments; the idea of ‘umvelt’.
Sensitive to the rhythms of the sun, moon and stars, each day we will focus on a new creature to explore – with particular attention given to bats and moths. An expert from the Sussex Wildlife Trust will set a moth trap with the group and we will return in the morning to draw and wonder at our finds, before releasing them to the wild. We will work with a bat detector to perceive bat sounds beyond the range of the adult human ear. We will also dip into field recording, using a variety of microphones to detect and amplify the changing acoustic world of the forest, translating these sounds into drawing and writing exercises. The effect of natural and artificial light on living things will influence how we choose to ‘observe’, record and draw.
After building your own ‘sensing instruments’ in willow, paper, natural materials and found objects that extend the boundaries and reach of the human body, you will also be invited to share stories, poems and songs in front of an open fire.
Using a torch at night in the forest can expose and visually isolate us from the world around, switch it off, and we gradually become immersed in other ways of perceiving; the picture is shattered and we enter an alternative existence.
Ah, not to be cut off,
not through the slightest partition
shut out from the law of the stars.
Rilke
There will be an altered timetable:
The timetable for the course will be unusual, so some meals will be packed to take with us. There will be a rest period during each day to compensate for our extended sessions in the evenings and early mornings. You have the opportunity to explore self-directed work in the studio or across the estate during these times should you wish, and the tutor will aid you in preparing for this.
Please bring warm, wet weather clothes and boots/waterproof shoes, hat and fingerless gloves, in case it is windy and wet or chilly. An umbrella might be useful.
INDICATIVE TIMETABLE: (course of events may change slightly due to weather etc)
Arrival day: Sunday
From 4pm Arrival for residential students
5.30pm Workshop available for dropping off equipment and materials
6.45pm Non-residential students please arrive by 6.45pm for welcome chat and dinner
7pm Dinner
8pm – 9pm First teaching session – attendance is an essential part of the course
Practical sessions drawing outside with sketchbooks and pencils
Monday: BAT
10am – 12.30pm Studio– tutor slide talk, introduction to field recording and field notes; what does it mean to observe and record?
Lunch
2pm – 5pm Trip in minibus to Monkton Lodge, immersive walking, listening, sound recording and drawing
6.30pm Dinner for residential students (non-residential students requiring dinner can either book this in advance with the Bookings Office or online at the same time as booking the course online, or bring your own packed meal)
7.30pm-9pm Arboretum walk (bat listening)
Tuesday: FOX
9.30 am -12.30pm Minibus to Monkton Lodge. Movement and drawing exercises in the woods
12.45pm Lunch
2pm – 5pm Studio development work
5.15pm Tutor talks in Old Library
Wednesday: OWL
10am -12:30pm Rest and/or self-led studio time should you wish to draw, use the library or work on ideas development.
12.45pm Lunch
2pm – 9.30pm Minibus to Monkton Lodge (packed supper taken at lodge). Moth traps set.
10pm Back at West Dean
Thursday - MOTH
9am -12pm Minibus trip to Monkton Lodge to draw and release captured moths (back by 12.30pm for Lunch).
2pm -3 pm Rest
3pm – 5pm Studio time making sensing instruments
6.30pm Dinner for residential students (non-residential students requiring dinner can either book this in advance with the Bookings Office or online at the same time as booking the course online)
7:30pm - 9:30pm Walk to Arboretum – fire time, readings and song
Friday (departure day)
(Residential students to vacate rooms by 10am)
10am -12.30pm Studio working on sensing instruments and drawings
12.45pm Lunch
2pm Final review and documentation of course work
3pm Classes finish, please vacate workshop by 3.30pm
Please note, the course demands a level of resilience due to its unusual hours and immersive nature, and an openness to new experiences. Some somatic movement, vocal and listening exercises will be offered and we will take moderate walks on the hilly and uneven footpaths around the lodge. There will be walks at night time in darkness and on uneven ground to the Arboretum at night and at Monkton Lodge at dusk. You will need to be physically able to walk at a leisurely pace on uneven ground.
Immersive Art School Week
This course is part of our ‘Immersive Art School’ group of short courses for summer 2025, led by talented artist-tutors
Tim Johnson (basketry)
Jane Fox and Jane Sampson (printmaking)
James Hunting (textiles)
Tabatha Andrews (experimental art practice)
Louise Rainbow (drawing and painting)
Richard Sweeney (paper sculpture)
Ben Brierley (ceramics)
There will be tutor talks on the Tuesday evening from 5:15 to 6.15pm in The Old Library as part of the course. Studio visits are encouraged to share work and experiences (out of core teaching hours).
Included
On this course the College will supply most of the materials, including wire, willow, tissue paper, newspaper, black and white acrylic paint, PVA, charcoal, fixative, masking tape, string, glue and cartridge paper.
What students need to bring
- Hard-backed sketchbook (A3 size recommended but not essential)
- A range of soft pencils (2B to 6B), craft knife, fixative or firm hold hairspray to fix your drawings
- A poem or song connected to the course themes that you would like to share in front of an open fire (not mandatory, you are welcome to listen instead)
- A portable sound recorder with batteries, headphones and microphone if you have one e.g. Zoom H5, etc., otherwise your mobile phone could be useful for this purpose
- Warm waterproof clothing, a water bottle, some occasional snacks and stout boots
- A candle and matches
- A head torch
- A camera or mobile phone camera
- A range of brushes including some wide ones for papier mache
Some recycled objects/packaging that can be built onto or cut up the group will share these
Available to buy
Available from shop:
A good variety of art materials are available for you to purchase, including pencils, fixative, brushes paper, etc.
Additional information
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no open toes or sandals). Good sturdy footwear is essential for this course as you will be walking on uneven ground at night. Please come prepared for any weather with suitable layers/waterproofs/hats, etc.
Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential
Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed
Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm (lunch included)
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required
