LIVE EDITIONS, a new programme of movement, sound and performance in Eastbourne and the South Downs, produced and curated by Nikki Tomlinson, launches this month with more than 25 contributing artists from Sussex and further afield.
LIVE EDITIONS has evolved from two years of research exploring how to create a place-based initiative through conversations with artists, activists, ecologists, rangers and farmers, councillors, community stakeholders, and local arts organisations.
Activities in the programme have been co-designed with artists and partner organisations with an intention to offer spaces to meet, exchange, collaborate, develop, and with a long-term commitment to supporting the conditions for bold live work to thrive in unfettered and imaginative ways. It will test a range of approaches to place-based working, with artists leading residencies, gatherings, workshops, talks and performances which offer spaces for research, participation, and convivial and creative exchange among and between artists and audiences.
LIVE EDITIONS begins in July 2026 with three residencies. Artist Charlie Ashwell delves into dance and magic with Seke Chimutengwende in Working Titles. In Charlie’s words: ‘I’m interested in the transformative power of titles – words that attach to a dance much like a frame attaches to a picture – producing divergent ways of seeing the same dance. How does language infiltrate perception, so that the same movement lands in different ways with different titles?
Eastbourner Yanaëlle Ritter explores choreographing on sand in Shifting Sites, and Carolyn Roy tunes into the shipping lane from the downs via analogue radio.
The programme continues in September with a public workshop, BODY & LAND, a weekend workshop for anyone curious about exploring movement in relationship with nature.
Nikki Tomlinson, Director of LIVE EDITIONS said: ‘‘I’m delighted to introduce LIVE EDITIONS this summer and to welcome artists and audiences to this experimental programme unfolding across Eastbourne and the nearby South Downs National Park. This initiative has grown out of an extensive period of research and collaboration involving around 60 people locally and further afield and I’d like to thank everyone including artists, partner organisations, and Arts Council England for their generous support. My vision is for LIVE EDITIONS to support the conditions for movement, sound and performance practices to thrive here, and to offer audiences a range of ways to experience exciting live art-making—from watching and listening to playing an active role – both indoors and out. And my hope is that this inaugural programme might be the beginning of something lasting, becoming a vibrant part of cultural life on the south coast.’
For more information and to book visit: https://www.nikkitom.com/new-index-1 Header image by Jemima Yong.