Launch of 'Rituals of the Roadways' by Libby Bove

Revitalising archival materials

Rituals of the Roadways aligns with the core mission of the RtFA programme: revitalising and reimagining archival materials. Through this work, Bove breathes new life into overlooked stories, transforming the archive into a living, evolving space. Her approach reframes the archive not as a static collection but as a dynamic platform for dialogue, particularly around the South West’s rich ties to folk traditions.

Bove’s artistic process reflects a thoughtful blend of archival film, personal photographic archives, and new footage filmed across Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset. The result is a textured visual tapestry that connects the region’s past with present-day interpretations of identity and tradition.

Invented folklore, imagined futures

At its heart, Rituals of the Roadways, as Bove shares it, 'explores the deep connection between labour and ritual, once central to agricultural life, now thriving in the contemporary world.' It creates a dialogue between historical and contemporary experiences, drawing inspiration from the South West’s folk celebrations and customs documented in the archives at The Box. The work invites viewers to reflect on how traditions rooted in folklore such as Bove's work around 'Roadside Magic' are practised and interpreted today, reweaving celebration, magic and ritual into the everyday.

In a reimagining of the present day, where rituals inspired by the rich folklore of the South West and Cornwall remain part of everyday life, the commission introduces figurative characters such as the Bottlejacks, Roadwytches, Diesel Clappers and Cone Dancers. These mythic figures perform acts of roadside rescue, fuel busking and fortune making. Rooted in oral histories and folk traditions and examples like Obby'Oss and the Wassail customs that are recorded in the archives at The Box, they evoke a time when magic, ritual and storytelling were woven into the fabric of daily life in the South West.

Upon viewing the film, it invites us to consider how traditions are not only preserved but continuously reshaped. In doing so, it gestures toward a future that is more inclusive and representative of the many voices that have shaped our cultural landscape.

Commission details

The commission can be seen on the big screens in the Media Lab gallery on the first floor of The Box until the end of 22 May 2025. Opening hours are 10am-5pm Tuesday to Sunday (not open on Easter Sunday). Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this thought-provoking work in person.

More about Libby Bove

To explore more about Libby Bove’s practice and the themes explored in Rituals of the Roadways, visit:

• Visit Libby Bove's official website
• Follow her on Instagram
• Read our Spotlight article
• Find out more about the Reimagining the Film Archive programme