BEAF Festival 2021 26 June

BEAF Festival 2021

The theme for the 2021 festival was:

2B Human

We commissioned 40 artists this year to explore what it means to be human; inspired in part by the work of the renowned South African artist William Kentridge, whose short animated film Other Faces was exhibited during the festival.

Between 26 June – 4 July, we presented an inspiring programme of 150+ events across Boscombe, from independent film screenings, to live performances and exhibitions alongside a full programme of workshops, talks and family friendly events.

A black and white photograph of the seeking refuge exhibition. People are sat on chairs listening to a speaker introduce the exhibition.

2021 Festival Highlights

William Kentridge

South African artist, William Kentridge, whose work was central to BEAF’s festival theme this year, gained international acclaim for his short film series. We showased his animated film Other Faces, which articulates the concerns of post-Apartheid South Africa at Boscombe Arts Depot.

Stats and Facts

Venue Visitors

Events

New Commissions

businesses engaged

Festival Gallery

Woman in black performing on a Rhönrad wheel

Shirtless man performs contortion act with a chair

Performer with penguin mask stand in the centre of audience circle

Drag performer in wedding dress sits next to table with wine and pill bottles

Performer in low theatre lighting with microphone amongst audience

Male performer with microphone in low light surrounded by masked auidence

Woman stood with yellow 'Eco Cab' sign smiling at child

Spray painted owl mural in brown, silver and blue on the side of a building

Jaz O'Hara in front of microphone delivering talk to audience

Two women (Jaz O'Hara & Caroline Beale Johnson stood closely in front of the Seeking Refuge installation

Jaz O'Hara looking off camera against blurred white background

Man and woman stood in front of Ineke Van Der Wal's charcoal drawings

an and woman stood in Simon Kilmister's brainbox surrounded by blue and pink square lights

Woman in black wearing mask looking at Ineke Van Der Wal's charcoal drawings

Woman holding paddle adorned with small bubbles

Child laughing as they enjoy the falling bubbles outside

Stuart Faulkner as a one man band playing the guitair with his head in a clear drum

Performer at Churchill Gardens photographed with large bubble in the foreground

Piano and cello being played by two performers

Crowds at Churchill Gardens photographed with large bubble in the foreground

Female performer playing the cello in Churchill Gardens

Female performer with ukuele and microphone on stage

Five people including Caroline Beale Johnson and Lauren Forster stood in a line in front of the Seeking Refuge installation

Performer making large bubbles at the Churchill Gardens event

Valise Noir female duo sat in a tree with red and white ribbons that read 'Powere' 'Love' and 'Strength'

Josh Ward performing 'Being Josh' sat on a chair under a blue spotlight

Cabinet of Living Cinema performer stood at conductors podium mid performance

Children drawing coloured circles on paper at a white table

What people thought

I think this is an amazing way to brighten Boscombe High Street!

This was phenomenal! You made me remember who I want to be… 🙂

Very inspiring. I can’t wait to see what else you do! Thank you so much

That was so moving! It makes me proud to live in the Boscombe area.

Thank you 🙂 Interesting and thought provoking! Hope you stay!

I visited Churchill Gardens and it was way better than my initial expectation! We had a boogie at the silent disco and joined the African drumming workshop, then we had a wander around the really interesting art projects in the Royal Arcade and the BAD building, thank you!

I brought Alfie along who has ADHD and is also autistic. He really enjoyed the accessing the gallery space and thank you for the guided tour.

We really enjoyed seeing all the exhibits.

Gary & Alfie

Fantastic! Mark Perry’s paintings and Simon Kilimisters brain box were a highlight for me as well as the photograph of the sea after reading about the Seeking Refuge project, all about refugees and immigrants. Thank you I really enjoyed it.

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