These items represent research and engagement by artist Bettina Furnée, who recorded six interviews and a public walk in September 2024 as part of her artist residency at the High Brown Fritillary project in Ogmore, Vale of Glamorgan. Bettina interviewed some of the volunteers, ecologists and commoners who for many decades have maintained Old Castle Down as the last habitat of the High Brown Fritillary in Wales. 

The interview recordings cover the history of the High Brown Fritillary project from the identification of this rare butterfly at Old Castle Downs & Alun Valley in late 1970’s to the current day’s conservation and activities and farming practices of this common land.

These interviews were the source of the artist’s lyrics for ‘Britheg Brown’, a new song and clarion call for the High Brown Fritillary, set to music by Welsh composer Emma Daman Thomas. An ensemble of local singers performed the song for film on Old Castle Down in collaboration with St Brides Major Primary School, two speakers and harpist. The resulting short film Britheg Brown, Last Of the Species In Wales by Bettina Furnée is a moving tribute to the local community who helps save this butterfly from extinction.

The interviews were edited by the artist for a better listening experience, and are annotated with time codes. They are accompanied by visual materials and source notes, where the artist has selected sound bites as possible material for inclusion in the song lyrics.

View the film:
https://www.naturambyth.cymru/en/our-work/arts-engagement/bettina-furnee/

Commissioned by Natur Am Byth! in collaboration with Butterfly Conservation.

About: Bettina Furnée was born in The Netherlands and is based in Cambridge (UK). Her text-based practice ranges from moving image and installation, to live events and public realm commissions.

Using text or interviews as material, her work features wordplay, sound, absurdity, the everyday, slippage and fear of no-return. She often works collaboratively with artists and participants on projects with themes of migration, identity and agency, that amplify the voices of the community.

She has been commissioned extensively, exhibited in solo and group shows, and awarded residencies and grants in support of self-initiated projects. 

Bettina Furnée read art history and trained as letter cutter before graduating with a Masters in Public Art from Chelsea College of Arts. 

See more of her work: bettinafurnee.co.uk