Monday, 28 April 2014

Neon-LOV Visual Art Commission

Lincolnshire One Venues Young People’s Programme has commissioned a group of artists called The Collaborators to carry out film and art workshops with young people across Lincolnshire. The creative ideas produced from these workshops are going to inspire the creation of a neon word art work for both the Usher Gallery in Lincoln and The National Centre for Craft & Design in Sleaford.

The project was initiated with the idea that the artistic activity during the workshops would be aided by the use of the internet, although this gradually changed. The artists (who collectively form The Collaborators) involved were Lee Sass, Andy Penny, Steve Pool and Kate Genever; who worked with various young people from Lincoln and Sleaford to create a film that was about them; what they made with them at the workshops and their words.

The first series of workshops started in March and took place at The Usher Gallery in Lincoln. They existed as a series of four workshops over two weeks and involved young people from Framework (a support organisation for young homeless people).  On the first day of the workshop the artists asked participants to bring with them the name of their favourite song, book or film and together they would process them into many things using the internet, apps, film, drama, drawing, painting and even through the creation of their own music. The workshop started with one participant, but his enjoyment soon spread and by the final day there were 6 young people involved; whose eyes were opened up to the potential of art.

During the workshops a blog has been consistently updated with participant’s creations and comments, which will give you an idea of the type of work created: neon-lov.blogspot.co.uk

All the work made during the workshops was then collected together and edited into a film, resulting in a projection that took place at the Market Square in Lincoln on Thursday 6th March. The projection really filled the city with colour and music and many passers by commented on how good it was to see the Market Square as a site of creativity.

In April, during the Easter holidays, the second series of workshops took place in Sleaford at The National Centre For Craft & Design, this time with a group of 6 young people from the local Youth Club. The group started by giving each other a word and used this to inspire the things that they created. They also created their names using various objects around the room, videos and had a go at Vjing (thanks to Lee).

The work has again been edited into a film, which this time will be projected against The National Centre for Craft & Design building from 8pm on Friday 2nd May. All are welcome to attend and see what fantastic work the young participants have made!

Now that the series of workshops have come to an end, The Collaborators are going to propose the two words that they feel have epitomised the workshops and should exist as permanent neon art works that can remain both at The Usher Gallery, Lincoln and The National Centre for Craft & Design, Sleaford. Watch this space...

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