Palace Intrusions Benchmark 10 (word)

Kirsten Lavers, ‘ReMark’
Kirsten Lavers new work ‘ReMark’ will bring renewed attention to the Moat Path bench plaques through the simple act of removing, restoring, and exhibiting them together in Wells Museum as part of the ongoing Palace Intrusions Exhibition. 43 new texts informed by conversations with the visitors and residents of Wells will temporarily take their place on the benches themselves.

Kirsten says, “On my first visit to Wells I was immediately drawn to the bench plaques as my starting point for the Benchmark commission. The plaques on the Moat Path benches are faded, weathered and splashed by paint. Almost all of them mark the life of a particular person. Who are they? Why did Pete Cruz Jacinto of the Philippine Islands present a plaque in 1966? Who is OMR? or SKJ? What does the code G3GZA mean and why does it appear on two different benches? I was surprised to learn that absolutely no written records exist of who they were ordered by or why. The plaques tantalise me I want to know more, I want to imagine more.”

On September 1st and 2nd Kirsten Lavers will be on Palace Green, between 2.00pm and 5.00pm, restoring the plaques and inviting visitors to contribute their knowledge, memories and stories of the people they commemorate. Conscious that many people using the benches are visitors to Wells and with a slightly tongue-in-cheek reference to the idea of the “Benchmark” Kirsten will also be asking people to tell her about someone that they know called Mark!

Using the information she has gathered Kirsten will create 43 temporary alternative plaques for the benches. Rather than mentioning particular people these texts will invite visitors to reflect on the act of marking and celebrating the lives of ordinary people. The original, restored plaques will be returned to the benches at the end of September. All the information gathered about them will be collated into an archive bookwork.

If you know anything about anyone whose name is one of the plaques Kirsten would like to hear from you. Talk to her on Palace Green (1 – 2 September, 2.00 – 5.00pm), come along to Wells Museum, (1 – 30 September: open daily 11.00am – 5.00pm, Sundays 11.00am – 4.00pm) and add your knowledge to the archive or post a message in the box on the counter of Waterstone's bookshop on Wells High Street.

Alternatively you can add your information by posting a comment on this news page or by emailing Kirsten at kirsten@palaceintrusions.org.uk