ART and history lovers are being invited to travel back in time as a new exhibition aims to take visitors on a journey with Barrow’s lost railway lines.

Signal Film and Media is providing an exciting sneak preview ahead of its launch of its latest artist exhibition opening tonight (21).

Lost and Found is the exciting new interactive video installation, featuring Barrovian audio histories by Cumbrian artist Amy Story who was selected as part of the Lost Stations Open Call 2017.

The free exhibition launches with a special preview event tonight (21) at 6.30pm and runs until Friday October 6 from 10.30am until 5.30pm every day. This week, as a special one-off, the exhibition will also be open on Saturday (23).

The show, which is Amy’s first solo exhibition, uses Cumbria archive footage, live video and projections alongside layered audio from Barrovians who were interviewed especially by the artist in order to create the piece.

The exhibition will take visitors on a journey through these sounds and voices in order to explore the physical, social and historical landscape of Barrow through those who know it best.

The interactive element is expected to be a particular hit at the show’s opening, with locals of all ages journeying around the atmospheric and darkened derelict exhibition space, led by a track of lights hinting at the huge network of disused railway lines and stations around the town.

Featuring moving, ghost-like figures and localised sound, the piece will journey through a desolate space, undulating with the many voices and generations of the town.

Joanna Roy, project manager for Lost Stations Digital Art Programme, said: “It’s an exciting opportunity and we urge Barrovians to come and get involved in the burgeoning arts culture that’s really growing in the town; to come and meet the artists, get chatting to like-minded folk, or simply a chance to try something new and see some really thought-provoking and dynamic art interpreting this ‘Lost Stations’ theme.”

Stemming from Signal’s ‘Lost Journey’s’ heritage project, which ended in August 2016, ‘Lost Stations’ takes inspiration from the significant heritage of the town’s railway lines.

The year-long programme is opening up a world of digital art for participants and audiences in Barrow and across Cumbria, and there is a whole host of opportunities this year to see, experience, and get involved with digital art.

Primarily funded by Arts Council England with additional local support from Esmee Fairbairn, the Walney Extension Community Fund and Barrow Borough Council, the programme also provides valuable opportunities for emerging artists to focus and refine their practice with support from Signal Film and Media, led by digital artist Sam Meech.

No booking is required to attend the new exhibition, but those who need assistance or want to bring a group, can call the main Signal office on 01229 838592. The exhibition is at ground-floor level and completely accessible to all.

Who is Amy Story?

With a background in videography, Amy Story has an experimental approach in testing new processes for expressing the themes within her work.

Amy’s recent work, with video and still image, has focused on exploring the physical, social and historical landscapes of Cumbria. She enjoys making experimental films, particularly using archive footage to create new meanings.

Amy hopes to continue developing her techniques in moving image, animation and projection mapping.

Echoing the Lost Stations theme and created from many interviews conducted with members of the local community, Amy’s new commission Lost and Found will use the huge network of disused train stations and lines surrounding Barrow as an entry point to explore personal relationships to the town’s past, present and future.

The installation will unearth the impact of Barrow’s transitions throughout recent history on its people and imagine the paths for its future through those who know it best.