displacement: absence and presence
Image by Rab Fyfe.
There’s just one week left to immerse yourself in the Tolbooth’s latest exhibition, Displacement: Absence and Presence, which runs until 26 March.
Described as ‘a sensory experience of words and images’, the exhibition - curated by Janie Meikle Bland of Picture the Possible - features the work of poet Laura Fyfe and photographer Rab Fyfe.
Janie said: “Emerging from the dark days of Winter, and the restrictions we have all been placed under, we headed into the local countryside and set out to interpret and to reflect the notion of culture and community at this time.”
Rab added: “Being primarily a street photographer, I lost my connection with photography during the pandemic.
“So when the opportunity came up to work with Laura and Janie , I grabbed it with both hands—and lens—and used it as a springboard back into making photographs again. The collaboration between us was infectious. ”
Rab’s images capture the sense of place, the vastness, the familiar landscapes and public places where we have ventured, communed, found sanctuary during the pandemic, whilst Laura's creative play on words throws up some delightful surprises.
Laura said: “Something unexpected always happens when you work with other artists. Collaboration opens you up to new and exciting creative challenges because it leads you down previously unexplored pathways, makes you tackle subjects you'd never otherwise have considered.
“This is manna from heaven for any poet, because if you yourself are surprised by what appears on the page, then that's a good sign there will be something interesting for your audience as well.”
Janie said: “Wrapped in familiar landscapes, Rab’s bold images set the scene on a grand scale whilst Laura’s words transport us there. Her poetry opens up all of our senses to help us hear and smell and feel the settings we are immersed in.”
“Presenting poetry in a much more visual way for such a big space was particularly exciting!” Laura reflects.
Poetry by Laura Fyfe.
After attending the exhibition opening, John a retired teacher from Tillicoutry said: “Given the isolation of the last two years, our great desire is to come together more. What struck me about the Tolbooth exhibition was its return to a more intimate life; the couthiness of the little studio theatre; the familiarity of Rab Fyfe’s images – the muddy pitch and the numbing Trossachs’ loch; the Scots tongue in Laura Fyfe’s verse and the wee cup of tea for us all. Together again.”
Steph, visiting from Tasmania, also commented on how the exhibition made her feel: “The exhibition is evocative , nostalgic , it’s a call back to places and people that I’ve missed. It resonated on a very personal level with a sense of belonging, to place and to people. Really quite immersive, as I sat in the room with the sounds and the poet’s words rolling through the space, it was quite celebratory.”
Janie added: “Although initially a reflection of our response to the pandemic, what has emerged is a timeless collection of words and images celebrating our connection to each other, to our community and to our surroundings.
“Coming together with two such talented people to create a brand new work has been fun!
“Watching ideas develop as Laura and Rab sparked off each other, hiking hills and visiting lochs, talking with old and new-found friends has made this a truly community inspired collection.”
Poetry by Laura Fyfe.
Laura added: “ I'm grateful that people have responded so positively - especially to "In Concert," my first ever poem about football!
“Without the chance to work with Rab on the DISPLACEMENT exhibition, these poems would never have existed.”
The exhibition, which was made possible with funding from Stirling Council and Creative Scotland’s Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund, is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm until 26th March.