‘JOY SANDWICH’

WORLD TOUR COMES TO BERKELEY

Dr Jenner’s House, The Chantry, Church Lane, Berkeley, Glos, GL13 9BN

Sunday, 30th July 1pm

British contemporary artist Stuart Semple has announced a series of spontaneous art Happenings which will take place in over 30 locations around the globe this July including Berkeley, Gloucestershire.

Dr Jenner’s House is delighted to be part of the worldwide happenings and together with a group of local Berkeley participants will bring the event to life in Edward Jenner’s garden on Sunday, 30th July at 1pm.

Taking place at The Chantry garden, visitors will be able to participate in this one-of-a-kind art moment.

“Over 200 years ago Jenner welcomed the local community into his garden in order to offer them free vaccinations against the deadliest disease of their age: Smallpox. Post pandemic, we are delighted to host “Joy Sandwich”, welcoming people into his beautiful garden for this free event which resonates with Jenner’s spirit of open access.”

Helen Hood

Director, Dr Jenner’s House, Museum & Garden

After kicking off the project at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, Semple is collaborating with global communities like ours in over 40 places, including Mexico City, Los Angeles, Sao Paulo and Montreal to realise a series of Happenings – ‘JOY SANDWICH.’

The project is taking place across galleries and museums, hackspaces, coffee shops, public spaces, tattoo parlours and university campuses. ‘JOY SANDWICH’ will happen throughout the world following an open call out to participate, in locations including London, Los Angeles, Texas, Montreal, Brussels, Vancouver, Las Vegas, Sao Paulo, Missouri, Cincinnati, San Juan, Cabanatan City, Glasgow, and Mexico City, among others. See the full list here: stuartsemple.com/happenings

“The line between art and life should be kept as fluid, and perhaps indistinct, as possible.“ — Allan Kaprow

These new ‘Joy Sandwich’ Happenings will wrestle once again with recurring themes in Semple’s work – ideas of technological isolation, physical community, connection and the impact of art on societal mental health. And in the spirit of the golden age of happenings, these spontaneous works will erupt and be led entirely by the participants.

Semple’s theme is one of coming together, union and imagining a possible future built for communities where art and joy coalesce to form new physical bonds.

With several communities around the world still failing to reconnect after Covid, the artist hopes that these Happenings might be a small way to bridge the gap between our connected digital lives and the real world.

The artist used his online community to meet a diverse global group of participants, and so far has orchestrated the organisation of these Happenings entirely via email and video chat. Each group that wished to host a happening was included. From people wanting to host one in their house or back garden, to major museums and cities. At this moment in time, the specific nature of the happenings is top secret to allow for spontaneity. The groups themselves don’t even know what the action will be, with the artist set to send them a set of instructions shortly before their performance.

Anyone can participate in the happening at Dr Jenner’s House, it’s totally free - you can book your ticket here:

A day to celebrate one of Dr Jenner’s favourite animals: the hedgehog!

From 11am there will be children’s activities: hedgehog making, mask making and weather permitting a fabulous outdoor hogsticle course!!

At 3pm there will be a talk by Emily Harper of Wild Hogs Hedgehog Rescue in the Cyder House.

Tickets include entry to the House, Museum and Garden

Adults £14

Children £9

Book Ticket Online Tickets £14.00 (includes entry to House, Museum & Garden)

Author, Lucy Ward joins us on Edward Jenner’s birthday and in his bicentenary year to discuss her book The Empress & the English Doctor: How Catherine the Great defied a deadly virus and Jenner’s incredible legacy for public health. Lucy is a very enthusiastic and engaging speaker, who we are delighted to have here for this special day.

To book tickets for 10 or more please email info@edwardjenner.co.uk

Celebrate Edward Jenner’s remarkable legacy and explore how anyone can change the world, with free entry for all today.

Insects are bug-tastic! Today we'll be going on a mini-beast hunt in Dr Jenner's garden along with other fun arts and craft activities.

Join us as we Create a Creature at Dr Jenner's House. Today you'll be able to make your own sustainable bird feeder and create some art!

We can't wait to make some Dinosaur Discoveries this summer. With puzzles, mask making and a chance to create your very own fossil!

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