Incredible micro residency working with communities around Market Hall and Ocean Studios in early November last week, as COP26 opened – talking to residents about hope in the face of climate emergency for new creative work, ‘light in darkness’. These two vibrant creative hubs in Plymouth are pioneering spaces supporting artistic and creative activity, with an immersive video dome based at Market Hall.
Was poignant being welcomed into new communities, people sharing not just what gives them hope – ‘increased awareness’, ‘being in nature’, ‘collective action’, ‘the younger generation,’ but sharing their everyday lives and community spaces. I met mothers and daughters, old and young, artists, business owners. Was welcomed into community rooms, parks and cafes.
Some long pauses, in places. Some talked of loss of hope, or ‘no hope’, too. But so many were able to say what action would give them hope, if it happened. ‘Cheaper electric cars’, ‘more recycling’, ‘less food waste’, ‘accountability from our politicians’, ‘investment in green energy’, ‘transitioning from fossil fuels’ – to name but a few.
I’m creating an audio piece using the interviews that will be shared at the Market Hall immersive video dome, exploring literature, technology and hope as ‘light in darkness.’
On November 20th I’m back in Plymouth again running a family friendly ‘Light in Darkness’ workshop at 11am – 12.15pm helping residents create their own hope inspired light art text, for Illuminate Festival – plus you can take part a text based activity with me in the Moths to a Flame installation in the video dome as part of the workshop.
An extract of my poem, ‘Persephone Wakes’, written in response to the 2018 UN reports on climate emergency, is shared as a projection alongside others upstairs in Market Hall, for the festival, too – called ‘We Have a Choice’.
Learn more about the Illuminate here: https://realideas.org/event/illuminate-light-festival-2021/
You can book onto the ‘light in darkness’ workshop using the link: https://realideas.ticketsolve.com/shows/1173617967/events
Follow COP26 here: https://ukcop26.org/
#writinglife #sociallyengagedart #literature #light #technology #community #climateaction #motherearth #artistresidencyinmotherhood
