Moving Panorama

Article by Graham Wood, Street Support Network

​The People’s History Museum, with stories of the struggles of ordinary people, provided lots of ideas that have been expanded and explored to create Moving Panorama. The piece performed on Monday 11th June, combined visual arts with original songwriting centred around scrolling artworks that moved together with the songs to tell a story. The artworks, songs and poems reflected on the past but also gave voice to experiences in the present.

Lois Blackburn (arthur+martha) and singer songwriter Matt Hill (Quiet Loner) worked alongside people from the Booth Centre with the songs and artworks highlighting 21st century issues such as debt, living in poverty and lack of representation whilst also drawing parallels with similar struggles from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Moving Panorama explores the rich history of the streets of Manchester and people’s own personal stories and histories.

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​This film shares a performance of Moving Panorama, filmed at The People's History Museum, as part of Manchester Histories Festival. It features Roy Johnson on vocals and Matt Hill/The Quiet Loner on vocals and guitar. Moving Panorama artwork was led by artist Lois Blackburn, made in collaboration with people at The Booth Centre.

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Here is another song from the performance:

Spinning Plates
by Lawrence McGill

I have 42 cliches in my life
And not one of them do I like
I walk and I walk and then I hike
Getting back on the horse is like riding a bike
My future is not written, my destiny awaits
Standing in a minefield spinning plates

Only death can stop me or Stupidity awaits
I’m standing in a minefield spinning plates
If money is the root of all evil
I never have any so I should be a saint

Tomorrow is another day, I intend to be there come what may
I have 42 cliches in my life
My future is not written, my destiny awaits
Standing in a minefield spinning plates

Can’t let them fall down to blow up in my face
I’m standing in a minefield spinning plates

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Do have your finger in every pie
Keep the wolf from the door, we all know the score
You are the apple of my eye
My future is not written, my destiny awaits
Standing in a minefield spinning plates
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Can’t let them fall down to blow up in my face
I’m standing in a minefield spinning plates.