AR Lincoln

By Jo Tolley

On a typically British winter's day - in August - I sat down with Beth Lambert and Laura Mabbutt of Brew Projects, alongside artist, Rachel Olin in the 'Gazebo Gallery' (more on that later) to delve into how AR: Lincoln came into fruition. 

For over a year, this collective had been brewing a plan to pool their talents as producers, curators, designers, craftswomen and makers to shine the spotlight on the under-celebrated women of the city. Much like the trailblazing women, whose lives and work were being illuminated by the project, the trio behind the scenes are on a mission to revolutionise how art and artists are portrayed. Using the technology of Augmented Reality, they bottled the glory found in a gallery and splashed it onto the streets of Lincoln. The result: an exhibition for everyone to enjoy.

But what is Augmented Reality? If virtual reality transports you into a world that is entirely fictional, this medium combines reality and fiction. It gives permission for us all to don our rose-tinted glasses and to catch a glimpse of an alternative perception. And this is where AR: Lincoln found a niche in the market. Through the mobile app, Snapchat, we curious citizens, were gifted a portal into the city's culture, feminism and new possibilities.

Immersed into the lives and times of Charlotte Agnes Scott and Karen Maitland, we travelled. In their own unique styles, these women broke the spell of convention and conformity. Laura's artistry captivated us with the versatility of Charlotte's mathematical brain. As one of the first women who was allowed to study at Cambridge University, Charlotte was met with tremendous inequalities and yet, she remained energised and determined throughout. After excelling as a student and championing her predecessors to do the same, she took up gardening. Blending the analytics within the two practices enabled her to cultivate a new species of chrysanthemum. Looking through the [Snapchat] lens that Laura built, we saw the beautiful connection between geometry and nature.

In synergy with Charlotte's passion for plants and innate ability to redefine 'what it means to be feminine', author Karen Maitland uncovers the truth behind medieval witchcraft.  Rachel felt empowered by Karen's willingness to shed a refreshing light on women who were persecuted because of their healing hands. These novels are more than manifestations of the mind. Karen's characters are founded upon real women of medicine who utilised what Mother Earth had put in their paths in an effort to restore, revitalise and reenergise. Providing us with a plethora of potions, Rachel's lens captured the immoral injustices that such women had to face.

If there's anything that this exhibition can teach us, it's that there will always be hurdles, barriers and prejudices. In likeness to those who influenced them, our AR artists have contended with their own obstacles in order to make this exhibition a success. A global pandemic didn’t deter them, though – in fact, it gave them the power to think outside of the box. With ever-changing rules and restrictions, the artists embraced the outdoors and an evolved perspective. 

Brew Projects strive to bring joy to the city and the rest of the East Midlands by creating and endorsing arts which are accessible to everyone. The wonder of exhibitions, like AR: Lincoln is that they aren’t self-limiting or discriminatory, so neither should the places in which they can be experienced. By reimagining the space for creativity, Beth, Laura and their collaborators, will undoubtedly unleash the inspiration that is synonymous with the magic of art.