Whilst making final changes to the script before recording we were inspired to look further into the University itself and its relationship with the Brayford. Upon further investigation we found that the Brayford plays a prominent role in the University Coat of Arms. The two swans representing strength, self-confidence and loyalty with the “reversed pall is a representation of rivers and canals”(University of Lincoln, 2011). Though perhaps the most significant discovery was that of the meaning behind the University motto; ‘Libertas per Sapientiam´ which means ‘Through Wisdom, Liberty’. (University of Lincoln, 2011).

The Univerity Coat of Arms (Univeristy of Lincoln, 2011)

This concept of wisdom resulting in freedom is especially compelling when considering our own projects’ theme of liberation. Our focus has primarily been on the freedom of water and the interconnectedness it causes. Largely inspired by the Heraclitus quote “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for he is not the same man, and it’s not the same river” (Good Reads, 2015). The idea that water is constantly changing and has the ability to take us almost anywhere in the world is truly liberating concept. This brought me on to think about the freedom of site specific performance itself, liberated from the constraints of a traditional theatre.

Ferdman discusses how site specific performances have evolved to include new forms of media, which means that “Sites today can therefore be virtual, and group events can take place remotely” (2013, 7). Allowing for numerous new forms of interaction between the performer and audience without the need the performer to be physically present. This new flexibility allows for even more freedom for the performer liberating them further from traditional performance practises.

Reference List

Ferdman, B. (2013) A New Journey Through Other Spaces. International Bibliography of Theatre and Dance, 43 (2) 4-25.

Good Reads (2015) Good Reads: Heraclitus: Quotes. [online] Available from http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/77989.Heraclitus [Accessed 28 March 2015]

University of Lincoln (2011) University of Lincoln Coat of Arms. [online] Lincoln: University of Lincoln. Available from http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/abouttheuniversity/press/identity/coatofarms/ [Accessed 23 March 2015]