Through My Eyes
Credit: Through My Eyes. Penzance 2024. Photo: Steve Tanner
Project details
| Project lead | Agnieszka Blonska |
|---|---|
| Start date | 2023 |
| End date | Ongoing |
| Department & Centre Alignment | Academy of Music & Theatre Arts and Centre for Blended Realities |
Through My Eyes is practice-based research exploring the intersection of participatory performance co created with marginalised communities and digital audio technology. Until now, the work has involved two distinct case studies in Cornwall and Devon collaborating with a group of teenagers in Penzance and first generation Polish migrant mothers in Plymouth. By translating community voices into site-specific audio installations and guided tours, this project aims to create publicly engaged and socially impactful work addressing themes of social isolation, coexistence and a lack of representation within underserved regional communities.
The outcomes provide new insights into digital audio methodologies for a creation of community-led participatory and site specific performative sound work.
This investigation draws on Pauline Oliveros’ concept of Deep Listening alongside established histories of acoustic ecology, performance led sound walks and audio installations. It responds to CBR’s and AMATA’s ambition to create work which is inclusive by widening access to innovation, expertise and opportunity; delivering measurable outcomes and benefit, and building partnerships with external organisations and communities.
The process, from initial community engagement to hosting a series of creative workshops with participants in collaboration with local partners such as the PZ & Newlyn Youth Project and The Box in Plymouth, involved collection of stories, memories, creative writing, guided audio recording, consultations and public facing immersive audio live events.
Project team
Project lead - Agnieszka Blonska
Agnieszka Blonska is a theatre director and researcher based in the UK since 2003. For over the last 20 years she has worked in Britain and internationally as an independent artist and in collaboration with theatre companies and theatres such as Powszechny Theatre in Warsaw, National Theatre Studio in London, Soho Theatre, Tate St Ives, Theatre Institute in Warsaw, Theatre Bristol, Hall For Cornwall, Wildworks Theatre, Desperate Men, DotComedy, Mercurial Wrestler, imPOSSIBLE Producing, Projekt Europa and Circomedia in Bristol.
Read moreThrough My Eyes in Penzance:
- Voice1: Anonymous (young person from Penzance)
- Voice2: Anonymous (young person from Penzance)
- Voice3: Anonymous (young person from Penzance)
- Voice4: Anonymous (young person from Penzance)
- Directing and concept: Agnieszka Blonska
- Script based on conversations with young people: Tori Cannell
- Co dramaturgy: Agnieszka Blonska & Tori Cannell
- Music: Seamas Carey
- Recording and sound design: Ciaran Clarke
- Map design and artwork: Ellie Williams
- Photos: Steve Tanner
- Film: Neal Megaw
- Producer: Michael White
- Production Manager: Nathan Jackson
Through My Eyes in Plymouth:
- Voice1: Karolina Garghouti-Blicharz
- Voice2: Jagoda Grzonkowska
- Voice3: Kinga Krzyminska
- Voice4: Agnieszka Blonska
- Director: Agnieszka Blonska
- Script based on conversations with mothers: Tori Cannell
- Co dramaturgy: Agnieszka Blonska & Tori Cannell
- Sound Designer: Ciaran Clarke
- Photos: Steve Tanner
- Producer: Plymouth Culture
Funders & partners
As part of the Hello Stranger project led by Wildworks Theatre, Through My Eyes in Penzance was commissioned by Wildworks and funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Moimi Oczami / Through My Eyes in Plymouth was commissioned and produced by Plymouth Culture for Sea for Yourself, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England Place Partnership Fund and Plymouth City Council.
Partners
Through My Eyes in Penzance: Trelya and PZ Youth Centre in Penzance, The Exchange Gallery in Penzance, Golowan Festival.
Moimi Oczami / Through My Eyes: Plymouth Culture in partnership with Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and Plymouth City Council; supported by The Box, Real Ideas, Arts University Plymouth, University of Plymouth and Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Outputs & outcomes
Through My Eyes opened as an audio tour in Penzance, beginning at The Exchange Gallery, in June 2024. Since then, it featured twice at the Golowan Festival in Penzance in 2024 and 2025.
Moimi Oczami / Through My Eyes was first presented to the public in July in 2026 at Devil’s Point in Plymouth.
The projects’ regional reach has been highlighted in media reports, receiving broadcast coverage from BBC Cornwall Radio and featuring within the local press via the Falmouth Packet.
Impact & recognition
It is an ongoing research project with an ambition to expand by involving diverse community groups in different locations and establishing national and international collaborations with academic and industry partners.