Exhibition opening: Rocket Folly | Old Fire Station, Oxford

Tickets: Free - just come along!

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Parking & Access

Details

Join us to celebrate the opening of Andy Owen’s exhibition Rocket Folly.

Rocket Folly

Exhibition runs until 15 April 2023.

Space exploration is one of the most aspirational of all human endeavors. Landing on the moon is amongst the greatest achievements of the human race.

Five decades have passed since people last set foot there in 1972. Over the course of those years we have come to learn that our collective actions are unleashing an ecological disaster that threatens our very existence. A climate emergency is declared, yet the governments and corporations with the power to enact change seem to do nothing, content to see us continually distracted. We have shouted ‘Fire!’ but are standing idly, fretting over shopping baskets, scouring lists of ingredients – which one of these products contains the least amount of guilt?? – as the house around us burns.

Meanwhile in the United States, NASA has built a rocket that will take us back to the moon again. The Artemis programme promises to ‘build a community on the Moon to learn how to live on other worlds.’

I too am going to build a rocket.

I know what I am doing – I have done this before! When NASA were flying their first space shuttles, over in Mrs Howell’s class at Kinlet School we also made our own small spacecraft out of cereal boxes, cotton wool and pasta shapes. My new rocket will be much bigger. It will be made of up-cycled exhibition materials and climate anxiety – clad in cardboard and plastic, and a few recognizable household items; both the innocent and the guilty.

Towering over visitors, the rocket’s ostentatious yet awkwardly useless form will reference follies: buildings constructed merely to show off the wealth and status of their owners. Is the exploration of other worlds essential for our development and growth? Or should we concentrate our resources on the world we already have? Should the greatest achievement of the human race, in fact, be to save it? This big rocket aims to give physical form to our internal conflicts, to pose questions about our priorities, and promote debate and reflection in an inquisitive and playful spirit.

Parking & Access

Parking

There are a number of Blue Badge parking spaces nearby on Beaumont Street, and more on New Inn Hall Street and St Giles.

The closest car park is Gloucester Green Car Park, accessed via Gloucester Street.

If you have any questions or concerns, the City Council’s Access Officer can be reached at 01865 249811.

Getting here

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, but we need your help. Use ecoway, our sustainable travel planner, to see the most eco-friendly options for your journey to Old Fire Station, and plan a bespoke and flexible route. ecoway is easy to use and you’ll be kept up to date with any disruption or changes to your journey plan.

Car parks in Oxford Blue Badge information Public transport in Oxford

Access

Disabled patrons are eligible for one free companion ticket with their booking. To book this, contact the ticket office: tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or 01865 263990.

There are two entrances to the Old Fire Station: 40 George Street via the foyer, and on Gloucester Green via the shop. Both are step-free. If you are coming to a show, we ask that you use the George Street entrance, as the Gloucester Green entrance is not always open.

Events in the Theatre

There is level entry to the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the main Theatre (where most shows take place).

If you are a wheelchair user attending a sit-down show, space will be reserved for you. If you are attending a standing gig, please contact us (call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk) and we will talk with you about your needs.

Events in the Studio

There is level entry into the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the Studio.

Events in the Loft

There are six steps leading up to the Loft space, with no lift. If you would like to discuss this to find out more, please get in touch.

The Gallery

There is step-free access to the Gallery – level entry through the George Street entrance, and via lift from the Gloucester Green entrance.

Facilities

Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, accessible via platform lift. Other toilets are in the basement (accessible via lift).

Hearing assistance system
The Theatre is equipped with a hearing assistance system. If you have any questions about using it, please e-mail us at tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or phone 01865 263980.

Assistance dogs
All types of assistance and guide dogs are welcome at the Old Fire Station. It would be great if you could let us know in advance if you will be bringing a working dog to any performances – just e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.

Strobe lighting
We will warn visitors on the website and in the foyer of the venue if a performance is going to contain strobe lighting. If lighting affects you, and you have any concerns, please call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.