So I had the priviledge of taking part in ‘Submerged’ this weekend. I say ‘taking part’ because this was an under-water photography exhibition that took place at the wonderful Bramley Baths as part of the I love West Leeds Festival. Looking at the exhibition involved putting on a swimming costume, goggles, then plunging under the water over and over again to view the under-water exhibition. The organiser of this event was @ilovewestleeds and of course, Bramley Baths.
The gorgeous Grade II Listed Bramley Baths in Leeds date back to 1904 and, until recently, had a cloudy long-term future due to cuts in Leeds council’s budget. The facilities will transfer into the community ownership of the Friends of Bramley Baths before Christmas.
The photography Exhibition was the work of the very talented Lizzie Coombes (aka @bettylawless). The photography was pictures of people above and below water and were the result of 12 hours photographing the stage build in the pool last year and the subsequent orchestra event. The photographer Lizzie tells me that it has been a long standing ambition of hers to put an exhibition underwater, as it combines her two great loves: photography and swimming. She went on to explain that it was an idea that she had wanted to do at the International Pool before it closed, and in the near future, she has high hopes for an underwater portrait studio! Wow! Sign me up!
When I read about this event, I just loved the idea. I have seen Betty Lawless’s calendar which is fabulous and the whole Submerged concept is brilliant. As one regular baths user said “it’s summit different”. And I have to say, different it was. There is something about being submerged in water : the way it feels…expansive, fun, free. For someone like me, who is such a ‘water baby’ it was an absolute dream to be immersed in water with license to play. Combine this with music that can only be heard under the water, and beautiful photographs; and what you have is an amazing experience. At times, the experience was so incredible under the water, that being above water seemed altogether ‘blurry’, and my reaction was to immediately re-submerge.
The pool was full of all sorts of happenings: children diving in and out of the pool, chasing one another; people laughing, chatting and reminiscing. It had a lovely community feel. One lady said that she hadn’t been to Bramley Baths for 30 years and had no idea why she had left it so long! This opened up for me a very interesting channel of thoughts. I thought about my own memories of the baths and how i used to come swimming here about 15 years ago. At that time, I used to work in Bramley teaching dance to a lovely group of older people; and a little like that lady I talked to, I can’t remember why i stopped coming here: It is such a unique and special space: changing rooms straight out of the Edwardian era with saloon style swing doors and right on the poolside. I tell you it is like stepping back in time (in a good way).
One of the aims of this collaboration was to attract lots of new people to this event and familiarising them with all the things that the baths has to offer. Over 500 people came through the doors over 2 afternoons. They were of all ages: from babies to seasoned swimming veterans; from new visits to people who had never been to the baths before; return visits from locals including regular bramley swimmers who were curious, from people round the corner, to people who had driven from York and Wakefield. There were Art lovers who came to a sport event, and sport lovers, who came to an art event. Submerged had a fabulous community feel, and was just brilliant for engaging children – a perfect way to participate and experience culture. Submerged was just so multi-sensory! Kids loved this event! How many kids love going to exhibitions? Not many, lets be honest. But they loved this.What an imaginative way to raise the profile of the Baths and entice new people into fitness, welllness and art. Lots of volunteers signed up to get involved with Friends of Bramley Baths when they take over running the Baths in January. I would say this was a resounding success, wouldn’t you?
And finally…. here is my very own under-water portrait. Truly blessed!
* thanks to @BettyLawless ( Lizzie Coombes) for all photographs in this blog.
Submerged is an I Love West Leeds event, funded by the Arts Council. And i have to say, ‘I love West Leeds’, Lizzie Coombes, I salute you! If you are interested in purchasing your underwater portrait, or future underwater portraits, do get in touch with Lizzie. If you have ideas for original ways to exercise, you can tell @Bbathsfriends about your group or business, or feel free to share your Submerged experience in the comments box below.
Zoe Parker is a choreographer and dance artist who blogs about culture, dance and wellbeing. She is one part of @yorkslifeaqua a dry land synchronised swimming team coming to a water feature near you.