Resident Tourist

About Resident Tourist

‘Resident Tourist’ is the first in a series of videos by artist Chantal Oakes for The Living City. In this video we hear audio from nature, local voices of all ages and visuals of the local park.

The piece explores how nature changes when we aren’t noticing and human relationships with each other as well as with nature.

Key Worker

About Key Worker

‘Key Worker’ is part of the Resident Tourist and Other Stories Series by Chantal Oakes for The Living City. In this piece we hear a conversation between two people take place discussing Ashton Park and describing the park’s beauty while visually we see videos of the park deserted during lockdown. The piece highlights local appreciation for our green spaces while juxtaposing it with the quietness of the parks due to the lockdown. 

Current Climate

About Current Climate

‘Current Climate’ is part of the Resident Tourist and Other Stories Series by Chantal Oakes for The Living City. ‘Current Climate’ explores misuse and damage of the park and the effect this has on decisions the Friends of Ashton Park want to make about putting art in the park. The piece uses conversation, video and other audio to convey themes of harm, loss and rebuilding.

Weather Report

About Weather Report

‘Weather Report’ is part of the Resident Tourist and Other Stories Series by Chantal Oakes for The Living City. ‘Weather Report’ begins with a phone conversation between the artist and Ashton Park Chair, Alison. The conversation talks about why generations of people appreciate the park. We see images and videos of the park during the conversation and hear a weather report to a backdrop of videos. 

About The ‘Resident Tourist’ Series:

Resident Tourist and Other Stories was commissioned for The Living City as part of our exploration of Preston in Lockdown.

Resident Tourist and Other Stories is a series of moving images pieces that explore Ashton Park during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly as local residents began to use the park in greater numbers looking to support their health and well-being.

Resident Touris and Other Stories artist Chantal Oakes describes the pieces as designed to ‘evoke opinion and memory, with the aim of beginning discussions about using art to enhance what Preston’s parks offer us’.

All videos were recorded on her mobile phone.

About the Artist

Chantal Oakes is an artist who uses creativity to connect people with place. She focuses on engaging and supporting communities to both make art and enjoy new art. She has lived in Preston for 21 years and worked with museums, libraries, theatres and in community settings throughout the North West.

If you wish to contact Chantal Oakes you can email her at croakes@hotmail.com

To read more about Chantal Oakes and the insperation behind Resident Tourist and Other Stories check out her Meet the Artist profile here.

The Living City project is produced by They Eat Culture, & supported by the Community Lottery Fund & Arts Council England.