Launch: Flood House

About

'Flood House' is a prototype structure that is both a practical and poetic investigation into the living conditions of a seasonally flooded landscape. It will function as an imagined future dwelling and laboratory, monitoring the very particular weather conditions of the Thames Estuary in southeast England.

The structure is designed by Matthew Butcher and will be moored at various sites in the Estuary in April and May 2016. It will drift from mudflat to mudflat as if in a future flooded landscape.

Butcher is working with independent curator Jes Fernie and Focal Point Gallery on a programme of commissions and public events developed in response to the project. For the project, British artist Ruth Ewan has devised a weathervane 'All Distinctions Levelled', referencing a speech by the 14th century radical Essex-based
priest John Ball.

The launch event will include a talk by Matthew Butcher and Jes Fernie at Focal Point Gallery at 4.30pm, followed by a walk to Southend Pier to see 'Flood House', with a performance by Electric Belles and drinks reception, supported by The Mighty Oak Brewery, at the Pier Head.

Flood House is part of the Radical Essex programme which aims to re-examine the history of Essex in relation to radicalism in thought, lifestyle, politics and architecture. Led by Focal Point Gallery in partnership with Visit Essex and Firstsite, events will take place across the county in 2016 and 2017.

For more information please visit flood.house