Unlocking the Cage at Barnstaple Library
Come and experience an augmented reality installation, which brings to life the captivating stories of female writers whose work lies in 'the cage' - a place beneath the floor of Exeter library where its special collection is housed.
Out of 800 books in the collection, only 8 are written by women. Unlocking the Cage is an immersive visual and audio journey through the lives and works of four of these women:
- Elizabeth Montagu (1718 – 1800) - critic and host to literary salons
- Elizabeth Carter (1717 – 1806) - poet and translator
- Lady Rosalind Northcote (1873 – 1950) - nature and place writer
- Ethel Lega-Weekes (1864 – 1949) - historian
Unlocking the Cage can be enjoyed alone, or in groups of up to 4 people at a time and takes approximately 28 minutes to experience in full. You are in control of your own experience, turning the pages of the book to navigate your journey.
Unlocking the Cage has been researched, written and narrated by award-winning author Kim Sherwood. Kim, shortlisted for the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award 2019, is known for her debut novel Testament, and has been selected to expand upon the 007 universe as the first woman to write a James Bond novel with the first book in her trilogy published in September 2022.
Unlocking the Cage features Kim Sherwood's narration, Sarita McNeil's beautiful illustrations and original music composed by John Matthias and Jay Auborn. Creative audio company dBs Pro and the augmented reality developer Zubr Curio have turned these creative elements into an innovative augmented reality experience - it's not to be missed.
You can read Kim's full essay here as an eBook.
Read more about the project here.
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Free entry during library opening hours - no need to book.
Barnstaple Library opening hours
