Developed to mark the 75th anniversary of the closure of the Seaplane Works in Rochester, ‘WINGS OVER THE RIVER MEDWAY’ brings history to life through a series of artworks blending fact and fantasy at Rochester Esplanade.
Through using their own smart phone, people will have the opportunity to see the Short Brothers’ iconic flying boats over the River Medway for the first time in more than 75 years.
The work combines archival video and surreal augmented reality artworks bringing to life the story of the brothers and their Seaplane Works at the site of their former factory along the bank of the River Medway. There are four stops along the bank of the River Medway, each telling a different part of the Short Brothers’ story.
The artworks tell the story of the company’s extraordinary aeronautical achievements. Audiences are invited to explore Medway’s role in shaping world aviation history, the lives of the three brothers Horace, Eustace and Oswald Short and the role played by the 12,000 Medway men and women who designed, manufactured and tested the company’s flying boats and seaplanes.
‘WINGS OVER THE RIVER MEDWAY’ is a collaboration between local illustrator Jon Schwochert and internationally acclaimed augmented reality studio ARCADE.
The piece was developed in collaboration with local history groups and former Short Brothers employees. It was commissioned by Medway Council and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with support from Screen Archive South East.
Free to access via QR code.
Address
Wings Over the River Medway Rochester Esplanade, ME1 1QN
Contact
Available 7-days a week.
