A LONG running, international performance installation is coming to the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings next month.
The installation ‘Of All the People in All the World’ by Birmingham Theatre Company, Stan’s Cafe features 1.12 tonnes of rice, a single grain for everyone in the UK.
During the eight day installation, which begins on Saturday April 1, performers will measure out grains of rice into labelled piles representing different statistics about the people of North-East Worcestershire.
A few days after the installation begins in Bromsgrove, another version will open at The Kennedy Centre in Washington DC.
The installation will be open daily on April 1 and 2nd, and April 5 through to April 10 from 10am – 4pm in the New Guesten Hall, and is included with an entrance ticket to the museum.
James Yarker, artistic director of Stan’s Cafe said: “The statistics and the way the piles of rice are arranged can be moving, shocking, celebratory, witty and thought provoking. Occasionally visitors suggest statistics that we can work into the show.
“For this special version of the show, regional cultural and heritage organisations have also been submitting statistics in advance, and our research has revealed a fascinating picture of this region’s unique history, industry and culture”.
Leader of Bromsgrove District Council, Coun Karen May, said: “I’m delighted to see a new installation coming to the ever-popular Avoncroft through the work of the North East Worcestershire Cultural Compact.
“When local organisations come together in partnership with shared goals, good things happen, and I’m sure we can look forward to plenty more to come from the members of the compact.”
Avoncroft Museum’s Director, Zoe Willems, said: “We are proud to host the world-renowned Stan’s Café at Avoncroft Museum this Easter.
“It’s exciting to provide a venue for cultural enjoyment and communication here in Bromsgrove.
“We hope as many people as possible will come to visit the Museum while the installation is here, find out more about the Cultural Compact and how heritage and culture can play such an important part in telling the human stories we can all relate to.”
‘Of All the People in All the World’ is coming to Bromsgrove as a result of the work of the North-East Worcestershire Cultural Compact, a new network of organisations working together to increase participation and involvement with local culture and heritage amongst residents of Redditch and Bromsgrove.
Stan’s Cafe has been holding the installation for the last 20 years in cities across the world including Los Angeles, Milan, Copehagen, Amsterdam, Adelaide and various cities across the UK including Birmingham, Leeds and London.
Other versions of the installations have featured 12 tonnes of rice to represent everyone in Europe and even 112 tonnes to represent the entire worlds population, which was hosted in Birmingham in 2008.
