UEA academics are launching a new walking tour of Norwich next week as part of Being Human, the UK’s national festival of the humanities. Ahead of a free exhibition celebrating the city’s medieval merchants marks, opening at the National Centre for Writing tonight, those involved explain more
In medieval times, Norwich was an international trading centre with merchants’ marks – precursors of modern logos – stamped onto goods and carved into buildings. These forgotten landmarks, many of which are still visible today, were preserved through the efforts of antiquarian John Kirkpatrick (1687-1728) and a new exhibition and map is set to celebrate him as a pioneer of sustainable heritage.
Dr Tom Roebuck and Dr Sophie Butler from UEA’s School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing are working with designer and educator Darren Leader to showcase their research at this year’s Being Human, the UK’s national festival of the humanities taking place until November 16.
‘Make Your Mark! Medieval Merchants’ Marks Now’ have seen the University work in partnership with the National Centre for Writing, Norfolk Library and Information Service and Norfolk Museums Service on a series of workshops and events exploring medieval merchants’ marks in Norwich and celebrating Kirkpatrick as a pioneer of sustainable heritage.
Three half-day creative community workshops at the National Centre for Writing, Productivity East on the UEA campus and the Forum, mingled interpretations of how merchants’ marks were preserved and their role in constructing identities with creative activities. Participants created their own marks in risograph digital printing, collage, and 3D printing. A guided walking-tour let one group discover the historic sites of the merchant marks. In addition, a free take-away map will be available across the city, tracing the locations of Norwich’s key merchants’ marks and connecting medieval sites across the city.
The activity will culminate in a three-day exhibition at the National Centre for Writing that will display Darren Leader’s recreations of medieval merchants’ marks, academic interpretation of the story of merchant antiquary John Kirkpatrick and the workshop outcomes. The display will be interactive, giving visitors the opportunity to represent their own identities through creating marks at a self-guided makers’ station. And tonight (November 15), there will be a party to celebrate the opening night of the display where visitors can enjoy food and drink and take part in pop-up talks with leading humanities researchers, historians and graphic designers. The exhibition will then be open to the public from November 17– 19 between the hours of 10am and 3pm.
Being Human Festival is the UK’s national festival of the humanities and returned for 2024 with the theme of ‘Landmarks’. Through a 10-day programme of big ideas, big debates and engaging activities for all ages, the festival showcases how the humanities help us understand ourselves, our relationships with others and the challenges we face in a changing world. UEA was selected to be part of the festival by organisers, the School of Advanced Study, University of London, and festival partners the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHR), and the British Academy (BA).
Since the festival was founded in 2014, Being Human has presented over 2,600 free events in 161 towns and cities across the UK, for over 260,000 audience members.
Professor Catherine Richardson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Arts and Humanities at UEA, says: ‘Norwich’s medieval merchants’ marks are hidden gems that tell us so much about how our ancestors lived and worked. The Being Human festival is a brilliant opportunity to collaborate with our partners across the city to bring this fascinating history to life. It is also a way of celebrating and showcasing UEA’s vibrant research in the Arts and Humanities. I hope that, with workshops, a free exhibition and a brand-new map tracing the sites of the merchants’ marks, many people from Norwich and beyond will have the chance to ‘make their mark’.’
Darren Leader says: ‘The ‘Make Your Mark!’ workshops and walking tour continues the rediscovery of mercantile trademarks documented in Logo Rewind: Trademarks of Medieval Norwich (2023). This book also contemplated the design of these fascinating marks – methods that ‘Make Your Mark!’ participants will follow to develop their own medieval-styled signature signs. It will be exciting to see their marks reproduced using modern-day methods of 3D and Risograph printing.’
Holly Ainley, Head of Programmes and Creative Engagement at National Centre for Writing, says: ‘Dragon Hall is a key landmark of Norwich’s medieval history with its own part to play in our rich cultural heritage, so it feels like the perfect place for this unique exhibition. As current custodians of the building, National Centre for Writing is committed to sharing the stories of the city’s literary heritage with our local communities; it’s exciting to be working with our long-term partners the UEA on this innovative project that finds new ways and forms to do just that.’
Rachel Ridealgh, Community Librarian for Local Studies, adds: ‘We’re delighted to be part of UEA’s Being Human Festival programme, working in new and innovative ways with young people to showcase exciting examples of merchants’ marks found in our rare book collection. This forms part of a long and fruitful partnership between Norfolk Heritage Centre and UEA.’
‘Make your Mark! Medieval Merchants Marks Now’ is open daily at Dragon Hall from November 17-19, from 10am-3pm. Admission is free. For more information visit nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/events/make-your-mark-exhibition. The opening night is on Friday November 15 from 6-8pm. To book a free ticket visit nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/events/make-your-mark-opening-night.
Featured images of the creative community workshops at the National Centre for Writing – supplied by UEA
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