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Thames in Focus: Photographers Capture Spirit of the River
- Sport and Glimpses of Life on the Thames Feature -
- The River & RowingMuseum hosts its first ever Photography Season -
- Includes exhibitions, family events, adult and children's workshops -
16 August 2010: A new season of photography opens at the River & Rowing Museum, Henley on Thames (rrm.co.uk) from 4 September 2010, featuring two special exhibitions which capture diverse aspects of life on the River Thames.
The photography season opens with Iain Weir - Sports Photographer, a striking exhibition of contemporary sports photography providing vivid snapshots into the physical challenges and triumphs at some of the UK’s top sporting events. A keen rower himself, Weir has been photographing major sporting events for over 2 years, capturing events from the Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race to the Henley Swim. Weir’s photographs will be exhibited for the first time ever from 4 September –14 November 2010.
Iain Weir says: “I am very excited to be holding my first ever exhibition at the River & RowingMuseum. As a rower, my experiences in a boat have influenced the pictures I like and choose to show people. Rowing is such an emotionally charged sport, a culmination of the extreme sacrifice and hard work that goes into a season married with a brutally honest assessment of your efforts as you cross the finish line. Having enjoyed all of these emotions at some point during my own rowing career, there's something I can identify with in almost all of the photos I've taken.”
Alongside Iain Weir - Sports Photographer is the fourth in a series of photographic exhibitions on the People of the Thames by Jil Orpen (11 September - 7 November 2010), offering unexpected glimpses into the lives of the wide spectrum of people that are influenced by the river. The exhibition examines why it has such an impact on these people, through photographs, interviews and poetry.
Jil Orpen says: “There is more to people’s lives on the non-tidal Thames than events and a place to live and work. Thought and emotion also play a large part in our interest in this waterway. As a photographer, I am constantly aware of the River Thames’ historic and natural aspects but, am conscious too how it influences many. Its flow stimulates thoughts; brings pleasure, provokes moods, gives a sense of renewal and challenges people. I hope that I’ve managed to express this intangible sense in the photographs and audio interviews in this collection.”
Alongside the two exhibitions will be a host of related exhibitions, talks, workshops and children’s events [detailed below].
Exhibitions
Iain Weir - Sports Photographer
The Wall
4 September –14 November 2010
With a rowing bias, photographer Iain Weir has captured the essence of several sporting events by trying to marry his knowledge of the sports as a participant with an eye for photography. Amongst the collection are a selection of images commissioned on behalf of BBC Sport, as well as three years coverage of the Henley Swim and other sporting events.
People of the Thames
Jil Orpen
Kirkham Gallery
11 September – 7 November 2010
The fourth in a series of photographic exhibitions on the People of the Thames who are connected with the river along its non-tidal reach, between the Source and Teddington Lock. The river is a fundamentally important part of England’s history. The exhibition examines why it has such an influence on these people, through photographs, interviews and poetry. Jil Orpen will be giving talks on her exhibition in the Kirkham Gallery on 11 September and 2 October 2010 at 3pm
Adult Workshops
Shot in the Dark
Thursday 28 October 2010
10.30am – 4.30pm
Jil Orpen is an international photographer with experience in photojournalism, portraits and six recent exhibitions. Portrait photography carefully taken using natural light can be effective when you know how to do it. Through instruction and experimentation in camera settings such as shutter speeds, aperture, white balance, focus and depth of field, you will develop a new expressive skill. A camera that can be set to manual is essential. A tripod is beneficial; a few will be available on loan. Participants will be given notes and a CD of their own photographs.
£40
Children’s Workshops
No ‘Cheese’ Please
Tuesday 26 October 2010
1 hour sessions starting at 10.30am, 11.45am, 1.30pm and 2.45pm
Learn to take photographs of each other that will capture each one of you in a way that no one else can do it. Your skills will grow with you. Each family will leave with a CD of their photographs and a handout of tips and suggestions for future practice. Any camera is suitable. Family groups with children age 8 and over £5 (all ages)
Tricky Pics
Wednesday 27 October 2010
10.30am – 12.30pm
Come and learn how to photograph movement and some photographic tricks with whatever camera you have. Some will make you laugh, others will amaze you and change the way you look at things. You will also have the chance to win a prize for the photograph that is the most creative. Everyone will take away a CD of their own pictures. Any camera is suitable. Age 8-11 £8.50
Be a Director for Half a Day
Wednesday 27 October 2010
1.30pm – 4pm
This is an exceptional opportunity to direct your own photographic shoot using the services of Jil Orpen, a professional photographer, in a studio situation. Bring a few friends and stage your own group photograph for your wall or CD cover. Bring a camera for practice beforehand. No camera required in the studio.
Age 12-18 £8.50
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Press information
Eliz Helvacioglu 0207 221 7883 eliz.helvacioglu@kallaway.com
Catherine Yoxall 01491 415642 catherine.yoxall@rrm.co.uk
Notes to Editors
The River & Rowing Museum (rrm.co.uk)
The River & Rowing Museum, an independent charity, is one of the UK's leading regional and sporting Museums, attracting over 100,000 visitors a year. The Museum also has a purpose built education centre visited by over 20,000 children and adults a year. The Museum provides superb value for money. Tickets are £7.50 for adults and £5.50 for children and provide free access for one year. The Museum celebrates four themes explored through a wide variety of exhibitions and events across four galleries and special exhibitions:
- The past, present and future of the River Thames
- The historic riverside community of Henley on Thames
- The international sport of rowing
- The Wind in the Willows
Since opening in August 1998 the Museum has received numerous awards including the National Heritage/NPI Museum of the Year award, the Sandford Award For Heritage Education and the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge.
Location, opening and ticket information
The River & Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 1BF. Tel. 01491 415600.
- The Museum, terrace café and shop are open every day from 10am - 5.30pm in summer and 10am - 5pm in the winter
- Tickets give FREE admission for a whole year!
- Admission is just £7.50 for adults, £5.50 for children aged four and over, FREE for children aged three and under and £5.50 for senior citizens and concessions
- Free parking for visitors
The River & Rowing Museum is part of the Thames Valley Museums Group (TVMG) Family Friendly initiative - a scheme that brings together 29 Museums across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, to promote their popular appeal to the whole family.
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