NEW NORTHERN STAGE
EXHIBITION TELLS STORY OF JEREMY DELLER’S ‘WE’RE HERE BECAUSE WE’RE HERE’
‘We’re
here because we’re here’
The
story of Jeremy Deller’s Modern Memorial
Newcastle Northern Stage
Friday
3rd – Thursday 16th March 2017, 9.30am
– 11.30pm
The
exhibition at Northern Stage tells the story of the contemporary memorial ‘We’re
here because we’re here’, presented by 14-18 NOW and the National Theatre
from 3 – 16 March 2017.
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‘We’re here because we’re
here’ in the North East
Photo: Topher McGrillis.
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‘We’re
here because we’re here’ took place on 1 July 2016 when more than 1400
voluntary participants in First World War uniform appeared unexpectedly in
locations across the UK. The participants were a
reminder of the 19,240 men who were killed on 1
July 1916,
the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Each represented an
individual soldier who was killed on that day.
The
soldiers, dressed in historically accurate uniforms, did not speak, but at
points throughout the day would sing the song ‘We’re Here Because We’re
Here’, which was sung in the trenches during the First World War. They
handed out cards to members of the public with the name and regiment of the
soldier they represented, and, where known, the age of the soldier when he died
on 1 July 1916.
Created
by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus
Norris, Director of the National Theatre, ‘We’re here because we’re here’ reached
over 30 million people across the UK1. The work was specially commissioned by
14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the
First World War Centenary commemorations.
This
new exhibition will tell the story of the project through images of the
volunteers from across the UK and BBC documentary charting the
making of the project.
Lorne
Campbell, Artistic Director of Northern Stage, said: “We’re delighted to be
the first venue to host this exhibition. ‘We’re here because we’re here’ was an
incredible project to be involved in. Not only in bringing together a large
group of participants from all walks of life to mark one of the great tragedies
of the First World War, but in the enormous impact it had on audiences across
the North East.
“It
was a truly effective piece of art that slipped gently into the everyday, as a
beautiful and subtle remembrance of the ordinary men who gave their lives in
the senseless slaughter of the Somme. This new photo
exhibition at Northern Stage will further celebrate the project, its
participants and those the performance was created in remembrance of.”
Northern
Stage was one of 26 organisations that collaborated on the project; the first
time so many theatres have worked together on a UK-wide participation project,
making it the largest arts participation project ever staged in the country.
The
daylong work ran from 7am to 7pm and covered the width
and breadth of the UK, from Shetland to Penzance. North East sites they
visited included the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, Newcastle Quayside and
Monument, Sage Gateshead and the Metro Centre, taking the memorial to
contemporary Britain and bringing an
intervention into people’s daily lives where it was least expected.
One
of the North East volunteers was 38 year old John Taylor from Benton in Newcastle. John served with the
1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (1RRF) and the Royal Artillery, his
father also served in the RNF and 1RRF and his Great Granddad, William Edward
Atkinson served his country during WW1.
Another
participant, James Gebbie, age 22 from North Shields, said, “I really
enjoyed getting into costume and portraying a real life soldier, also
researching my character.”
23
year old Edward Christensen from the West End of Newcastle said, “I enjoyed
being part of a large ensemble and learning more about British military
history.”
Jenny
Waldman, Director of 14-18 NOW, said: “For the
centenary of the Somme, Jeremy Deller, Rufus Norris, 26 theatres and over 1400
volunteers, created an exceptional and powerful live memorial 'We're here
because we're here'. Both unexpected and warmly embraced by millions of people,
the 'silent soldiers' made an impact across the UK. This exhibition is a
wonderful way to remember the ambitious work and tell the story of how it came
together.”
Rufus
Norris, Director of the National Theatre, said: “This work by Jeremy Deller
was a truly national piece of theatre and a powerful way to remember the men
who went off to fight 100 years ago. I also hope it will serve as a catalyst to
strengthen ties with theatres and communities across the UK.”
