Art CAN’T make a difference if people DON’T want to take part!

A couple of weeks ago I had a bit of a break down, and told my mentor that I didn’t think it was possible to achieve the things that I want to achieve through art…for me actually this isn’t a bit of a break down it’s a massive break down. Everything I have been working towards for the last 3 years would have been a great big roundabout, with me just shooting round and round for 3 years, unable to get off!

However with a bit of hindsight, a sensible ear to listen to my rant, and some interest being shown in projects I have developed I’m back on track, and hopefully soon will be off the roundabout and shooting my way down the M1!

I think this disillusionment was mainly down to a lack of enthusiasm about a few projects that I have been arranging. How was I meant to use art to change the world if people didn’t want to change the world, or try on new things, or meet new people?

I never realised how icy a reception I would receive to certain projects, especially those which offers young people the chance to visit Europe! I suppose on paper, projects look a lot more official and a lot less fun, but how are we ever going to secure funding for projects if they sound like participants are going to have the time of their lives (which NATURALLY they will!)

I think motivation to participate is something that England struggles with! We have so many options and chances in today’s society that it is impossible  to decide which to choose…which will help us and which won’t?…so we just don’t chose at all! Working with Together showed me how willing young people from other counties are to get involved with projects in their community and that there isn’t always a stigma attached to taking part in extra curricular activities; But this stigma definitely exists for british young people!

I’m not sure what we can do about this stigma…but we need to do something! There are so many chances for young people to get involved with life changing activities, but they just shun them!

If you have any ideas…PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

YAK – a bright eyed beast in the face of an unsuspecting world.

As we sped coughing and spluttering into our opening we were met with enthusiasm and a great deal of buzz.

We already have people wanting to come back and bring art. I can’t wait to carry on developing this!

Loving it.

Live art
Live music.
Wall art.

Space for young people to showcase and get involved.

Next week – marketing week. If anyone can help us to get flyers out and media interest then please please get in contact.

moving onwards and upwards …

It was great to have a session with Dr John Lewis last week, and put feelings about the direction I think I am heading in context with the rest of the arts world; it opened my eyes a lot to posibilities of where to go next, and it was cheering to know that even though it is confusing at this career stage to be interested in both making a career as a working artist and as someone in more of a  ‘producer’ role in the arts, it could potencially open a really wide selection of doors ..

More at OYAP headquarters tomorrow, but in the meantime have a look at my blog:

http://ellie360.blogspot.com/2010/05/wordsimages-imageswords.html

chatterboxing turns to action plans!

As I said last time, I have been working on painting last week – above is the draft of the painting I am working on at the moment, a visualisation of the song ‘Velvet’ by The Big Pink… it has changed a lot in transfer from paper to canvas, check out my elliespace blog soon to see the results: http://ellie360@blogspot.com

I have been putting quite a lot out there at the moment including thoughts and drafts as well as finished pieces.. I think there is strong argument for artists to be open and inclusive about their artistic process, especially if they are looking for collaberation, and I feel keen to unravel things to connect people to my work, all part of the idea that art should be open to response rather than inaccessible – I would really love to know what other artists think about this …

Speaking of what other artists think, we met with Tara from Fusion (www.fusion-arts.org) Director of Oxford’s Community Arts Centre, who told us about where her practice has taken her (from running puppet workshops all around Newcastle to being arts director for an entire city in Pheonix, a pretty amazing journey!) and chatted to us about our YAK SHACK project.  Fusion are also launching a project in an empty shop, aiming to explore and celebrate the rich history of Cowley and the people that live there; it sounds like a perfect opportunity to explore also the connection between art and self expression and identity, such fundamental things in life and things that are obviously central to young people and their way of thinking… it all links back to previous thoughts on how to get young people involved in heritage. I have my thinking cap on, I would really like to be involved in some way …

On the subject of young people’s way of thinking, we have a really clear vision now of what we know want to do with our YAK SHACK venture, to provide a platform for young visual artists and musicians who are crying out for places to exhibit and perform. The shop itself will act as a centre for exhibition and performance, and we (Zarah, James, Becca and I) will as a collective explore how we can facilitate workshops to encourage young people who need to confidence to take their work and talent to the next level, and encourage in turn the development of an artistic community led by young people, for young people. In a way, rather than saying young people should be given access to the arts, I would say young people should be given a chance to reclaim their art for themselves ….

About Ellie

Timeline: CHILDHOOD … images (fascination) to… DYSLEXIA … school (frustration) to… SYNAESTHESIA… music, art, tv, theatre continuing and shaping into… YOUNG WOMANHOOD … university – people, set design, singing, ideas, illustration to.. NOW … literature…sex…art…stage…sensory experience…

About James

Hi,

I’m James, One of the five on the Young Creative Leaders Programme.

I am an artist/ graffiti artist from Oxford.

As I travelled home on Monday from the induction day I couldn’t stop thinking about the opportunities that lie ahead of us. I’m very excited!

I will post more on here soon, here is a link to my personal blog with some of my artwork: www.kleinershames.blogspot.com