A BEAF (Bournemouth Emerging Arts Fringe) Festival Commission 2018

'Little Boscombe'

A commissioned hand-made scaled streetscape model of Christchurch Road, (1900-2018) Boscombe high street built for B-E-A-F 2018. 

 

The existing buildings of the Royal Arcade and O2 are enlarged and pixilated photographs that form the backdrop to the scene. Flashing disco lights in the top floor windows of the O2 depict the current use of the building. The long - gone, grand entrance to the Hippodrome is represented in cardboard with the slightly ajar doors giving glimpses into the long corridor leading to the auditorium.

Boscombe's past shop fronts, inhabitants and performing animals are shown in black and white, whilst the present community are shown in colour. Each day more  present day visitors to the high street are added, showing the rich, bustling nature of Christchurch Road.

The Boscombe police box serves as a little- known elevator providing the peculiar caretaker (Dr. Raymond) access to the tunnels that lie deep below the high street. The modelled tunnels below are based on local legend and a big dollop of fantasy, as there are no drawings or photographs on which to base them. These dark, damp tunnels lead to the rear of the then Hippodrome allowing safe and secret passage of the performing animals.

The structure of the earth below the high street can also be seen. Dense layers of sand and rock supporting old Victorian sewers and further down in the depths,  well-preserved dinosaur fossils and the jaw of a megladon.

'Little Boscombe'

The build begins. Trestle tables and cut to size length of plywood for the model base

Hand drawn cardboard lanterns to be hung in the shipping container with lights behind

Section through the high street, Christchurch Road, showing above and below ground

Lift shaft to Boscombe Policebox in situ

Hand drawn and water coloured metal effect for the tunnel

Section through the street showing underground pipework to the left of the Policebox. Lift shaft interior detailed, Policebox spray painted and tunnel in construction

Working on street level - incorporating the buildings from Christchurch Road. Adding hand drawn animals into the tunnels to check scale is correct

Entrance to the Hippodrome (Now the O2) under construction. Very fiddly

This model is very time consuming, but it's slowly taking shape

 

Awning to 'A Jones' shop added

 

The elephants are coming.....2 by 2 

Elephant parade, with baby in tow

   

Close up of the chained elephants 

 

Hand drawn the layers of sand and soil below street level. Added some dinosaur bones too..  

 

Entrance to Little Boscombe 

It's in-  just! Side panels, tunnel and front panel to finish...only 2 days until opening

Caged tigers being transported to The Hippodrome in the darkly lit tunnel

A bustling high street 

 Partial Megladon fossil

 

Dr. Raymond, magician, illusionist and caretaker of the tunnels and performing animals

                   

Above and below streetscape of Boscombe 1900 - 2018

                                         

Some footage of the final exhibition

'Little Boscombe.'
28th April - 7th May @ 11:00-17:00.
In shipping container between Bosconova & Barclays Bank, Boscombe Precinct 
http://www.b-e-a-f.co.uk/ 
www.emilymanns.com