Allenheads Contemporary Arts
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Remote – far away in distance,
time or relationship.
In some sense, the idea of remoteness hardly seems to exist any longer - the recent digital and social media revolutions have seen unprecedented changes in ease and scope of communication, thousands of miles are covered in seconds and social networks transcend barriers of time, acquaintance and background.
Yet on the other hand, physical remoteness is still keenly felt. Food and fuel prices continue to rise, many believe we are passing the peak of oil production, and current alternative energy sources seem somewhat inadequate for our present usage. Perhaps the age of cheap travel and transport is passing.
But what does this all mean for Allenheads?
Often described as a remote village, it once existed as a frontier mining community, self-sufficient and tough. Will it be forced to return to this sort of existence, producing its own food and energy or will 'remote' become an archaic word, rendered useless by technology that trumps the very notion of distance?
Imagine an Allenheads of the future, long after oil and gas supplies have been depleted; larger towns and cities have been abandoned, many people have moved further south to escape the harsh unheated winters. Allenheads once again becomes remote in the truest sense of the word – there is little or no contact with the world beyond the Allen valley, and it fends for itself.
What kind of food will people eat?
The Midgecatchers House
What sort of machinery or technology will exist?
Will people leave for pastures new or settle for good?