“The Magnificent Clyde,” a journey on foot, documents the people and the history of the river Clyde throughout the ages from sea and back with original music, samples, interviews, literature, photography, video, collaborative musical storytelling, all accompanying a story of the second city of the empire, its decline, and the hope, and dreams of a population to reinvigorate the Clyde, to build ships, to transport goods, to give purpose to a generation obsessed with social media, and inspire a new connection from the despair of the concrete wastelands, disconnected from the beating heart of the city, the water.
In the story we uncover plastic contamination of the waterways, the apathy towards the river, casual violence, drunkenness, drugs, ignorance, homelessness, and domestic abuse, along its shores, not to mention the poor health of the nation, obesity, obsession with money, the lack of it, and what has become of the other species the human inhabitants have brushed aside.
As we journey through the Clyde we will also attempt to uncover whether the great human spirit of the Scottish people and their aspirations to create a better scotland for all still exists, or whether they are happy to just let the aspirations crumble into the river…
A collaborative, evolving work created by the people for the people.
This is a work unlike any other.
The work will begin when Alan and his faithful labrador Hari, friend to the scottish people pack their backpacks in december, a time when most people are planning their celebrations.
As with all Alan’s projects, there are also several other layers, including a litter pick along the Clyde, and the search for new crew for The Ariana Sailing Company, a plastic free, zero energy produce trading company based in Inverkip, the only requirement being that they are currently homeless.
In return they will receive a small 29ft sailing ship, with all sea comfort to call their own, employment, purpose, and sanctuary in a peaceful, creative environment, all the while developing new skills, resilience, and the will to help others less fortunate, creating an evolving compassionate environment towards each other, the natural environment, and the other species we we share the Clyde with.
Watch this space.
Alan
Alan Macmillan Orr (Scottish with an English Accent)
themagnificentclyde.scot
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