Inspired by Said Mouhssine’s experiences as a touring movement artist and his collaboration with Sasha Biloshisky, as part of Portsmouth’s 2022 Taroo project, Playable Monument explores how historical landmarks can become living spaces for cultural and intergenerational exchange, physical expression and digital innovation. Drawing from global parkour practices that reimagine public space, the project weaves together movement, digital art and storytelling to encourage new ways of engaging with history. By integrating emerging interactive digital technologies, it will invite audiences of all ages to experience monuments in new, unexpected ways.

In July 2024, we supported a three-day research and development phase for Said, Sasha and Thomas Buckley. Over this period, the team explored the histories of a shortlist of Portsmouth’s monuments and investigated physical and digital techniques to reimagine how public spaces can be activated. Their discoveries will inform the next stage of the project.

This project forms part of Crying Out Loud’s Solent Cultural Collaborations and Solent Stories programmes.