JOE Stevens news

Work from an exciting new Cultural Olympiad project that encouraged young people to get out walking footpaths, whilst exploring contemporary art production is now going on show.

The project investigated how most people use maps for directions, but do they show how you use a space? Do they show where you work, play, eat and hang out?

Maps were compared to various contemporary artists interpretation of walking through the landscape. The group worked cooperatively, sharing experience, while they investigated paths around town, recording their experiences using drawing, photography, sound recording, writing and GPS (Global Positioning System).

Google Earth_Placemark (saved as a KMZ file). You will need the free application Google Earth on your machine, if you launch this file you will be able to follow the walk we took and the photos we took to illustrate our walk. The group spent some time discussing appropriate titles for each photograph.

Aspects of the walk are also posted onto Google maps:  tinyurl.com/y8wxbqr

I was supported by Catherine Simmonds, education coordinator at Sherborne House Arts (SHA), on this project. Our research was combined to create a stimulating exhibition at Sherborne House Arts opening on the 9th October. An aspect of the work will also by posted onto the internet for viewing in Google earth (see below).

This project was developed by my working with SHA. The original idea was to use art to inspire people to appreciate the paths in their town.As I believe that informal community memory and formal historical reflection are key components for engaged cultural identity, and that such identity is essential for community empowerment and self-determination.

Catherine added: “We wanted to show how creative activity can become a valued and shared part of community life, whilst exploring contemporary art production; map making; new technology; and creative practice.”

This project has been funded by Sherborne Town Council, West Dorset District Council and Arts Council England. The project has been awarded the ‘Inspire Mark’ in recognition of its official 2012 Olympic status.

Foreland sound walk

Painting made up of each participant memory of the walk we took.

Slide show, including the above soundtrack, of the photos we all selected of the walk.

This entry was posted Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 at 4:12 am and is filed under experimental, photography, sound, writing, young people. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.