TAKE a different look at two high profile 'ruins' on Portland with a b-side festival art installation.

Artist Bridgette Ashton presents Ruin Gazer, which is currently presented at Rufus Castle and will then be displayed close to an abandoned accommodation block at Castletown, Portland.

Audiences are invited to compose a ‘picturesque’ vista of the ruins from key vantage points, asking questions about ways in which we look at and see a place.

Visitors ascend a small staircase into a booth looking out onto the vista of the ruin.

They are then invited to turn away from the picturesque scene and view it through a tinted Claude Glass mirror.

This optical device, widely used in the 18th century, was intended to help artists produce works of art similar to those of the landscape painter Claude Lorain.

The first location for Ruin Gazer is Rufus Castle, close to Church Ope Cove, which has a rich history from its beginnings in 1142 to the present day.

The second location is the controversial Hardy Complex ‘ruin’ on Castle Road, Castletown.

Visitors to this location have so far been keen to discuss its past, present and future as developers announce plans in recent weeks to finally redevelop the site which has remained derelict for more than 10 years.

Many of the Portlander visitors to Ruin Gazer have contributed to the project by introducing their own stories and insights into both locations.

Bridgette is giving a free talk about her project at the Hayloft Cafe, Cove Holiday Park, Portland, today (15) from 2pm -to 3pm.

Ruin Gazer is at Rufus Castle today from 11am to 6pm, and Sunday (18) from 11am to 6pm.

It will be in Castletown tomorrow (16) and Saturday (17) from 11am to 6pm. Admission is free.

B-side Festival, along with Ruin Gazer, continues until Sunday at 6pm. See b-side.org.uk for more information.

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