Museum De Santiago Chile!

(Sorry for the late posting folks!)

Today in Chile we visited a Human Rights Museum. I was very impacted by the Chilean political history which went from communism to a military government after the murder (or debated suicide) of the country’s leader in 1973.  Under military rule, detention centres were set up where people were tortured. The justice system that followed was very poor, and documents have been sealed for ten years!

I thought the Museum was brilliant, and really did serve its museum purposes. I.E I learnt about Chilean history in a fun, interactive way! It also was an emotional experience, which I think was the intention at some exhibitions. The tour guide was great too, and the exhibitions were well organised and varied in their methods of presenting information… video, audio, visuals, text, EXPERIENCE.

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 ….

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I have decided that the arts glass is half full. Positivity, it seems, breeds positivity in the arts sphere. Becca and I gave a presentation of our work investigating heritage sites from a young person’s perspective to the Heritage Lottery Fund South East Committe the week before last, and even though it was a short experience it was a bit of a corner turn; talking to people with a combination of honesty and positivity creates a connection between different arts arenas, and from this the seeds of the most exciting ideas are born. Yes, we know that ‘heritage’ is not at the top of most 12 – 25 year old’s list of interests; the positive is, as was demostrated by the presentation by Helen and Jo on the ‘Portrait of a Nation’ project which happened a couple of years back, when you give young people the chance to dictate the way they want to explore an aspect of their own heritage the creative results can be explosively amazing! The ideas that young people come up with during these kinds of opportunities and explorations are truly remarkable, as much an expression of themselves as of heritage; the DVD which charted the Oxford group’s journey with Portrait of a Nation could not have been a better example. And when you think about it, who could better give a fresh persepective on history than the younger generation of thinkers? Who could better bring history back to life? And isn’t that the essence of what makes history so remarkable? Let young people take their descovery of heritage in the directions they want, and let them descover and express their thoughts through the mediums they really connect with: dance, art, theatre, music, comedy even…. The feedback we got from this meeting was so encouraging, and now we are all fired up to hopefully get a project off the ground later in the year which can bring local young people and heritage together.  So many ideas are buzzing about right now…

On this note of positivity, excitement is barely containable over our own project – we are running with the idea of trying to create a space in the local area which can be a hub for the young budding creatives of the local area; it is something we are all really passionate about, and that is now translating into energy and action! Gallery space for young people wanting to get their work out there is my mission, and having a space to experiment with some more ‘out of the box’ ideas: i’m thinking new interpretations of texts, exploration of writting and poetry through responsive art work (theatre and visual medium), breaking down some of the boundaries of ‘conventional learning’ which have frustrated me and which I really beleive turn off so many other young people. Its ambition and ideas at the moment, but then again, looking at that positive, it seems to us like a preety good place to be starting from….

Heritage Lottery Fund Fun

That is the practical bit for us finished.

I was amazed at how little of the generic presenting there was. I think that this was a relief for some of us. Whilst I didn’t mind being in-front of the camera, saying constructed things to camera is not always easy. I suppose you could say that we had quite a Ken Loach approach.  When you see us on screen, those are our words and our feelings.

That was the point of the project, to capture our real opinions and thoughts. I am really grateful that I had the chance to be involved in this project and it was a lot of fun. Being so closely involved in the whole process of filming was a lot of fun and this was where my focus lay during each day. Having had the evaluation and time to think about the project as a whole, I feel almost urgent for our film to encourage people to get involved in heritage projects.

There are so many great opportunities out there to get stuck into a site and really make a difference. A difference not just for heritage, local communities but also for yourself.

Right, I will stop the enthusiastic rant there. That is quite enough.

Just get out there to your local heritage sites. You will be surprised.

The Spike, Guildford

Today has completely flown by.

I managed to get the essentials into my tiny handbag and remembered to put make-up on. A must for presenting! I was up most of last night as I could not relax and was quite tired but this did not affect me at all! We were an hour late leaving the station due to Oxford’s temperamental and frustrating traffic. The schedule amended we picked up tools at Guildford station and set to recording the first scene. I was filmed in the back of a seven seater car with my director sat next to me, the camera-man and sound lady sat in-front of us. Ellie – back of car director –  was going to attempt to direct through the medium of hand (one of those faces drawn on her hand) but unfortunately this was not one of those things that we picked up and ran with. Had it have been a film for our own ends I think things would have been different.

We had a very personal talk and tour of the workhouse (‘The Spike’) and learnt a phenomenal amount about the setting up and restoration of the building, the history and lives of the homeless. It got us thinking about possible projects to raise the profile of the workhouse.  The lower floor of the building is already used as a community centre and is being used and enjoyed by the local community. Tours are a problem for them as it is hard for them to come by volunteers to carry them out which is a shame. They have a fantastic video that shows the reality of living in and around the workhouse system. They have made it like watching a soap episode so it is really engaging.   Anyone interested in old buildings (as the architecture is great), history, homeless or ‘HLF’ projects should definitely go and see this place. If you can, go when there is a tour as I think that you will get more out of it.

On Monday, I worried that I would feel that I was in over my head but I was wrong to worry. We were very well looked after by our film man (Phil from… someone help me out here) and as it happens I spent all day in-front of the camera rather than behind it. I am a little unsure about how I feel about this. I know that Friday is going to be hectic and I am going to be doing the technicals. It would have been good to have the practice so that we can be swift with the recording. One of my worries today was that we hadn’t been quirky enough with the filming as we want to steer clear of making it a dry film. Whether this will be done through editing, what we say or film angles I am not sure. With the presenting I tried to be as real to life as possible without being too cheeky. Those of you who know me, will know that I can be quite cheeky.

From an OYAP young leaders programme point of view, i am really enjoying the opportunity to get to know people through the medium of long public transport journeys. Not a mode of travel that I normally opt for on long journeys.

Friday is Bletchley park and Pitt Rivers. Until then. I wish you all a good Thursday.

If you have any questions, please ask.

Film-camp for Heritage Lottery.

Today was, as Ellie might say: “crazy-mental!”

It was our first day on a project with Heritage Lottery. We were trained to use a semi-professional camera, boom and cans. In the training we were let loose on New Greenham Park and filmed our imaginary ‘Disneyland Newbury.’ We shot as many scenes as there were positions in the team so that we all had a go at something.  It was loads of fun and it felt like we had a chance to really get stuck into something as a group.

The project that we are being trained for will be all about exploring our personal responses to Heritage sites across the South East which means filming us on site as we are discovering it!

On location at film camp

Very excited about all of this!

Over and out for now.

Becca