Unique archival films have inspired a community project on Littlehampton's lobster industry.
Starting in 2009, the ‘Littlehampton’s Lobsters’ project explored the influence of internationally renowned artist Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, who was inspired by Littlehampton’s thriving lobster fishing industry while visiting the town in the 1930s. During his two-year stay, Moholy-Nagy created a unique aquatic film that captured the local lobsters' fascinating natural habitat and featured many of Littlehampton's old fishing families.
Community members were encouraged to contribute their personal archives, memories and local knowledge to uncover the story. Discovery trails, art workshops, photographic conservation classes and the creation of two new films has led to a deeper understanding of the man and his work, as well as building civic pride in the town and its maritime heritage.
Filmmaker Nick Collins made 'Where the Arun meets the Sea' as a personal response to Moholy-Nagy's film 'Lobsters' and to the town of Littlehampton. The 16mm film contains archival images from Littlehampton Museum and extracts from an anonymous film entitled 'Speedboats Littlehampton' from Screen Archive South East.
For more information on the Littlehampton’s Lobsters Project, visit their new website, launched on June 25, 2010.
