ART
CLIPPING THE CHURCH Tereza Buskova St Barnabas’ Church, High Street, Erdington, Birmingham B23 6SY 11 June, 3-6pm Birmingham-based Czech artist Tereza Buskova is working with Erdington’s communities to bring back a traditional custom to the area, encircling St Barnabas’ Church with ornate baked decorations reviving an almost-forgotten English tradition. Clipping the Church traditionally took place once a year when young apprentices and women in service were allowed to travel home to visit their families and their ‘mother’ church. During the ceremony, the reunited families and local faithful would link hands to form an unbroken chain around the entire church. Facing out towards the world, members of this living circle would often sing hymns as they slowly moved around the symbol of their faith and belonging. Over one hundred locals will work with Buskova to explore motherhood through live performance, music and ornate baked goods, to be paraded and affixed to the church as decorations. In the weeks leading up to the main event, the artist will hold a series of baking workshops, open to the public, where participants can work with plaited dough. Communal preparation and display of ornate baked goods is rooted in the harvest and marriage celebrations of Buskova’s homeland.
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On Saturday 14 May, 2.30-5pm head to St Barnabas for a salt dough decoration workshop, films screening and food and drink. Sign up via clippingthechurch@gmail.com to join the artist in the re-enactment on 11th June.