Do you think you could be 'the most normal person in Lincolnshire'?
A PARADE of everyday objects will be held at this year's Lincolnshire Show, with the most normal Yellowbelly acting as a judge.
As revealed in the Echo, Zimbabwe-born artist Anthony Schrag, 35, is hoping to find out what it means to be normal for people living in the county.
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Zimbabwe-born artist Anthony Schrag.
Nominations are being accepted and the winner, voted as the most normal, will be asked to judge a parade of normal items.
Cakes from the Women's Institute and a pair of binoculars from birdwatchers are expected to be donated for the Lincoln Art Programme celebration march to be held on June 23.
The two events are part of the group's Trivia of Eccentric England programme from May to October.
Lincoln Art Programme co-ordinator Amelia Beavis-Harrison said: "Essentially, Anthony is interested in the idea that eccentricity and normality are inter-related, they are both subjective, and change between cultures and over the course of history."
But Miss Beavis-Harrison said finding the most normal person would be harder than it sounded.
She said: "Being described as normal is stereotyped as boring – in fact that is far from the truth.
"Normal isn't plain, straightforward, average or boring.
"The dictionary definition of normal is conforming to a standard level, but you have to question what that standard level is.
"Every person is normal to some extent, but are the people of Lincolnshire going to find that out?"
The University of Lincoln fine art graduate said when attempting to discover the normal, they were hoping to "find the eccentric". Miss Beavis-Harrison added: "I imagine people entering the normal competition aren't ones to take themselves too seriously, after all it should be a great experience, and art does need to fun. It shouldn't be serious all the time."
Mr Schrag said: "I'm not sure what I will find. What I am hoping to find is that we can all accept that we're all a bit odd."
People can nominate themselves or a friend by submitting their name, address, occupation, contact number or e-mail address, a description of what makes them normal and a photograph or drawing.
This should be sent to: The Most Normal Person, Lincoln Art Programme, C/O Room 0.7, Greestone Centre, University of Lincoln, Lindum Road, Lincoln, LN2 1PS.
Alternatively, visit www.lincolnartprogramme.co.uk for an entry form.
Forms must be received by June 1.
2 Comments
by Graduate, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 30 2011, 1:13PM
“It's saying that normality doesn't exist as everyone perceives it as different things. Or that it exists but encompasses everybody becuase it is normal to have traits that make you individual.”
by Confused and abnormal, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 30 2011, 10:23AM
“What a very odd and perhaps pointless idea. Who can say who is 'normal'. We all have our little eccentricities or differences, if we didn't we wouldn't be human. After reading the article I'm still not certain as to what they think is 'normal' or exactly what they are trying to acheive or prove? They say they are looking for Normal and not boring, but from what they seem to be saying there appears to be no distinction between the two?”