New Exhibition: Penumbra: An Experimental Journey into the Darkness at Kents Cavern

October 13th 2025

An invitation to step into the unknown…

NooN Collective (UK) brings Penumbra to the prehistoric caves of Kents Cavern (part of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark), an extraordinary underground art happening blending sound, movement, installation and projection. This new work draws audiences into dreamlike encounters with shadow, mythology and deep geological time—while echoing ancient human quests for meaning in the darkness of underworlds.

Inspired by the underground life of fungi and how mycelium navigate labyrinthine paths in the dark, Penumbra asks us to listen deeply and wander amongst shadows. Torchlit journeys through the cave chambers unfold layers of sound, projections, and movement, weaving together collective memory, myth, geology and the more-than-human imprints of deep time.

Through this project between NooN and Arnont, we have been able to develop shared improvisational processes for creation and performance in both live and digital spaces. It has enabled us to create work intuitively through deep listening - to each other and in the extraordinary cave spaces we have visited in both the UK and Thailand. On this journey of open enquiry we have formed a deep connection and are excited to invite audiences to join us in Kents Cavern.
Clare Parker, NooN Collective

An International Collaboration

Penumbra is part of About Fungi and Being in the Dark, a year-long UK–Thailand collaboration supported by the British Council’s International Collaboration Grants.

The project connects artists, conservationists and heritage organisations across the UK and Thailand, rooted in two UNESCO Global Geoparks: the English Riviera UNESCO Geopark (Torbay, UK) and Satun UNESCO Global Geopark (Thailand). Both geoparks are dedicated to celebrating and protecting landscapes of international geological significance.

The project is produced by Filament Works, an associate partner organisation of English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark working with Chiang Mai Art Conversation. This team has supported the artists and partners in collectively experimenting, taking risks, and presenting new work. By bringing artists into dialogue with caves, geology, and ecology, the project highlights the role of Geoparks as places of community, conservation and cultural exchange. In Torbay, artists have worked alongside the team at Kents Cavern and Wild Planet Trust, while in Thailand, installations and performances unfold in partnership with Chiang Mai Art Conversation and Art Residency Thailand.

This project and the wonderful performances that have developed as a result -in the UNESCO Global Geopark here and in Thailand - truly celebrate the holistic nature of Geoparks. That they are not just about geology, but are inspirational assets that create opportunity.

Using exploration and creativity as a bridge to connect our environment, culture and communities both locally and across the globe is what all Geoparks are about. Without doubt, art helps us to see geology, heritage and the world in which we exist today in a new light — or in this case, in the dark. It’s been a real pleasure to work with all and to be able to develop a relationship with the Satun UNESCO Global Geopark team as a result. Despite it being 10,000km away, it is clear we have many similarities and there is still much we can learn from each other.
Melanie Border, Coordinator English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark

Practical Information

Penumbra runs from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 October 2025 at Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, Torquay.

Audiences will travel in small groups by torchlight. The experience involves uneven ground, steps, and periods of darkness, sound and projection. Warm layers and sensible footwear are advised. The performance is not suitable for under 18s or those with mobility issues.

The event will be documented and shared with online audiences from November 2025 at www.taahm.art.

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/taahm25