The b-side Festival run from September 5 to 8 showcasing the works of various artists and performers of national and international acclaim.
The first three installations have been announced which include outdoor artworks inspired by Persian myths of migration, tiny artworks in the form of SIM cards, and the transformation of £5 notes into portraits of festivalgoers.
The theme of this year’s festival is Who Do We Think We Are? exploring themes of movement and migration which are topical to Portland since the controversial arrival of the Bibby Stockholm migrant barge.
Rocca Holly-Nambi, director of b-side, said: “This year’s festival will pay homage to the incredible cultural and creative diversity the UK has to offer.
“We are so lucky to have such an eclectic array of talent in attendance for b-side every year, and this year’s line-up is particularly diverse in both medium and messaging.
“Identity and community run strong through Portland’s veins, and we’re proud to bring this to light with our theme for 2024.”
The festival will take place across various sites on Portland, offering something for everyone, with many events being free of charge to ensure the celebration is accessible to all.
So far, the first three artists have been announced with more to be announced at a later date.
Visitors are invited to sit for German-born artist Harald Smykla as he creates pecuniary portraits which are representative of the nation’s increasingly diverse population.
This will involve ‘re-facing’ real banknotes, transforming the heads of figures such as Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, and the late Queen Elizabeth 2nd, to become the face of the sitter.
Artist and anthropologist Liz Hingley will also be hosting workshops where visitors can create unique glass prints from personal screenshots using a bespoke camera, framed in metal.
These will be in the shape of SIM cards, with the activity aiming to give tangible meaning to people’s virtual networks.
Iranian born artist and former Paralympian will be reflecting his own journey from Iran to Europe through large scale murals combining elements of Persian calligraphy, old scientific illustration, storytelling, text and humour.
More information about the festival can be found on its website: https://b-side.org.uk/
