Behind the Scenes: Andy Field, author
The Book of Brighton & Hove is an invitation to see the city through the eyes of some of its youngest inhabitants. Ahead of its book launch at The Riwaq, we had a chat with The Book of Brighton & Hove co-creator Andy Field.
‘We hope that by seeing the world through the eyes of young people, adults might look differently at Brighton and maybe even fall in love with it again.’
Tell us more about The Book of Brighton & Hove?
The Book of Brighton & Hove is a new commission created exclusively for Brighton Festival 2022. Myself and my partner Beckie Darlington have been working with over 200 local primary school children to create the book. The project involves the participation of children from four primary schools across Brighton and Hove.
Where did the idea or inspiration come from for The Book of Brighton & Hove?
We wanted to create a project that would enable adults to see the city of Brighton & Hove through the eyes of some of its youngest inhabitants.
How would you describe The Book of Brighton & Hove in three words?
Experiencing Brighton anew.
What do you hope people will take away from The Book of Brighton & Hove after they have seen it?
We hope that they will be reminded of what it’s like to be young – how as a child you see and experience a place differently. We also hope that by seeing the world through the eyes of these young people, adults too might be able to look differently at Brighton and maybe even to fall in love with it again.
Are you looking forward to being part of Brighton Festival 2022?
We have had a fantastic time working with the children who will be the authors of this book. Hearing their thoughts, their ideas and their stories about the places they live. We cannot wait to share their version of the city with Brighton Festival-goers. We hope they will have as much fun reading the book as we have all had assembling it!
Any other information or interesting facts to share…?
We are working with children from across the city, from a variety of very different neighbourhoods. This book has allowed those children to collaborate in a way they would never have been able to otherwise, learning something new about each other and the city they share in the process.
The Book of Brighton & Hove, May 24, FREE at The Riwaq
Click here to find out more
Part of our Books & Debates programme
The Book of Brighton & Hove is Produced by LOOKOUT Brighton and co-commissioned by Brighton Festival and caravan with Heart of Glass and LOOKOUT Brighton.
