the ark a wooden house floating on a boat by beth derbyshire

‘the ark’ at slaters terrace, burnley – a wooden house floating on a boat by beth derbyshire

‘the ark’ by multi-disciplinary visual artist beth derbyshire is a moving sculpture comprised of a wooden structure resembling the typical terraced housing of pennine lancashire, UK, placed upon a barge. inside, newly commissioned films explore the industrial and cultural heritage of the region. traveling ten miles from blackburn to brierfield down the leeds and liverpool canal during may and june, ‘the ark’ will stop at communities along the way in a celebration of the diversity and heritage of the region’s different landscape and cultures.

seen from the tow path, the structure appears as a wooden house floating on a boat, representing the housing style of pennine lancashire. the sides of the dwelling are intricately cut into shapes referencing islamic textile patterns, and the main wall is carved in a paisley pattern, a droplet-shaped vegetable motif of persian or indian origin. the roof is conceived as a living meadow, a symbol of the flower-rich grasslands of the region’s disused quarries, contrasting the factories and mills as it passes on its journey down the waterway.

seen from the tow path, the structure appears as a wooden house floating on a boat

the sides of the dwelling are intricately cut into shapes referencing islamic textile patterns

the main wall is carved in a paisley pattern, a droplet-shaped vegetable motif of persian or indian origin

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.