The experience begins before we even get inside, as we admire the handiwork in the ‘social tent’ where Bucket List Bingo is on offer alongside a whole host of craft activities.

Resplendent in the sun, crochet flowers adorning the space, need no watering, and the equally weather-proof, knitted bunting is certainly not in any danger of being diminished by the odd shower of rain. These colourful creations are the handiwork of Smith’s Knits of Eccles, where the caravan was parked up the previous day.

Inside the caravan-cum-gallery-cum-cinema, are a series of artworks created by retirees, dispelling many of the myths surrounding the experience of growing old.

Admission is free, but tickets are given out to go inside the Golden Years Caravan, to watch a film.

Seated on the old caravan bench type pew, which of course was covered in the obligatory velvet , surrounded by more bunting in violet hues, I watch with awe, as stories unfold from a variety of contributors, all with one thing in common – their advancing years.

I learn about a 66-year-old woman, who supports a school in Gambia, and a gentleman who, when he turned up to register for his degree at Manchester University had a slight initial problem, as the University’s record system ‘only’ went back as far as 1930 and this silver surfer was born in 1929!

The film, produced by Thirty Pound Gentleman, Film Company and executive produced by Art with Heart and Manchester Cares and filmed, edited and directed by Rosie Eliza, is comical, poignant, uplifting and thought provoking.

In my view, the project deserves to continue and be experienced by a wider audience. I am told that with future funding this could be possible and I certainly hope that more people have the privilege of seeing the film, even if they are not as fortunate as me to behold it within the Golden Years Caravan!

Golden Years Caravan a free, drop-in art exhibition from Art with Heart was at Waterside Arts on 21 July 2019.

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Moisala is a Finnish tightwire dancer and has worked as a circus artist. Performed as a solo using only the Tightwire and various different lengths and gauges of rope, Moisala explores the different spaces, planes of movement and states of suspension with delicacy and balletic grace. 

With its three-dimensional view, WireDo explores the inner balance of human behaviour with the question: “What happens to the body when it chooses to surrender and be manipulated?”

The first thing you see is the rig. Sitting on an otherwise empty stage, the steel frame, ropework and wire is a work of art in itself. Moisala has an elegant confidence as she explores the possibilities of all three elements. Early on, there is some stylish work with a long wooden stick and ropes, with some martial art movements.

Moisala next forgoes the freedom of the floor for the restrictions of the rig, and the ropes. There is some wonderful use of the three-strand rope fixed to the rig that provides a shifting support for rolls and balances. I don’t know how she manages to balance her entire body on a single rope, in a sort of minimalist hammock. Throughout the piece Moisala intricately creates new and evolving structures and patterns with both the ropes and her movement.

The musical backdrop to her act, by Terhi Pippuri, with its cymbals, bells and minimalist sounds adds to the Eastern promise of her act, and her dance movements mirror the music perfectly. There are effective moments during the performance where there is just silence except for the breathing of the performer which highlights the pushing of her body to extremes.

The latter half of the show is captivating in exploring how the body reacts to the extreme opposites of restriction and release. Moisala’s routine is perfectly executed and her body goes through an impressive and physically-demanding routine, from the refined shaping of her body during the movement sections to jumping and dancing on the tight rope. One stand-out trick is demonstrating the splits on the tight rope, the physical control is amazing. 

During her performance she acquired a nasty gash on her arm, which just shows the demands this routine puts on her body. As she smiles at the audience, you wonder how on earth she looks so comfortable. The ending of the show leaves us with a beautiful final image as Moisala spins gracefully in mid-air, her body curled as if in a cocoon, as she swings, suspended from the tightwire above. This leaves you with the impression that she has surrendered to the ropes, and having let herself become manipulated by them, finally becomes part of them. This really was a spellbinding performance.

WireDo was at Waterside Arts, Sale on 18 July 2019 as part of the 10 festival Re:Fract

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