INDEPENDENT STATE
Independent State is a major participatory visual art project that celebrates Frome’s reputation for independence. Foreground has commissioned three internationally renowned artists: Edwina Asht0n, Matt Stokes and Bob and Roberta Smith to work with groups from Frome’s community from July to September this year to make significant new artworks, which will form entries into the annual Frome Carnival on 26th September 2009.
Independent State explores how we define social distinctiveness and achieve self-determination as individuals and communities. The new works will take a number of different forms, from eccentric historical celebrations to major collaborative performance that will culminate as floats, performances and demonstrations in the Carnival.
Carnival is one of the most distinctive features of Somerset’s cultural identity and generates huge popular audiences to witness its grass roots creativity that range from the spectacular to the eccentrically amateur. As the first carnival in the Somerset Carnival season, Frome Carnival is one of the smallest yet generates an audience of over 20,000 people in a single night.
About Frome Carnival
Frome Carnival was established as an annual community event in the early 20th Century to raise money for the town’s hospital. Since then Carnival has taken place every year other than during World War II and has consistently raised funds for local good causes and is the only remaining Carnival in the South West to oversee the administering of grants to needy causes.
