In July 2021 I was commissioned by Knowle West Media Centre as a digital storyteller. Under the project title of ‘Come Together’ I worked alongside 4 commissioned artists, 1 additional storyteller and many members of the local community to explore the question, ‘As we move out of lockdowns, how can we create the shared spaces and experiences we need in order to connect and come together?’
The programme was designed to support artists and communities to: develop new skills in ‘hybrid’ arts practices (mixing digital and physical) and co-create new inclusive spaces / experiences for connection and coming together. The programme aims were to explore:
– Inspiring examples of practices that mix digital and physical tools and methods
– The barriers and challenges we face in finding safe hybrid ways to come together
– What more inclusive hybrid tools, spaces and experiences could look like
– What we can make to come together differently and how we can share through hybrid means
Throughout July 2021, we attended workshops exploring how to create more inclusive and accessible ‘hybrid’ spaces that mix the digital and physical. In response to these workshops and general themes of the project, each of the artists focused on their own topic to explore either through their own workshops, events or mail-out parcels. These contributions then made up parts of the 4 day weekender event, and I created an illustration to bring attention to each of these days and their general themes.
Each day of the Weekender delves into a different question.
Day 1: Inclusion in Action asks, “What happens to ‘hybrid’ when you start with access and inclusion?” Aims to explore creativity centring around accessibility and inclusion
Day 2: Making it Sensory asks, ‘How can we make digital experiences sensory, warm and engaging?’. We will spend the day imagining our own sensory utopias and connecting through smell, taste and conversation.
Day 3: Imagining for Real asks, ‘How can we use a mix of tools to include everyone in neighbourhood visioning?’. Spend the day playing, building and 'neighbourhood-imagining' from where ever you are.
Day 4: Claiming the Right to Rest asks, ‘How can we use ‘hybrid’ to access and enjoy the spaces of rest we need to find peace and wellbeing?’ This is your chance to relax at the end of the weekender; take a pause and claim your right to rest.
Additionally to these 4 events, I worked alongside the other digital storyteller, to create a further piece. Listen I’m here for you.
Listen I’m here for you - Is an audio piece inviting you to have a cup of tea with artist Michelle Roche, exploring and celebrating the necessity of connection and shared time between people, even strangers, and the importance and simplicity of tea.
Call the number above when you have time to hear a recorded audio piece. It’s free of charge and lasts around 20 minutes. You’ll need to listen through a mobile device, as you’ll move around your house. Best listened to through headphones, or loudspeaker, so you can have your hands free.
Inspired by four artists' work on the theme of ‘Come Together’, commissioned by Knowle West Media Centre, this audio piece was a collaboration between Mary Flora Hart (Image Design) and Michelle Roche (Writer/Performer).
In January and February 2022, we reflected on the project as a whole and I created an interactive banner for the website to showcase it all. This was also printed as a concertina to be given to members of the community with hybrid tips on the reverse. Visit https://cometogether-kwmc.org.uk/ or view the video below to see the illustrations in action!
