Photo Walk: The Sequel

The Documentation Commission has been awarded to............

We are very excited to let you know that we will be working with Caroline and Dave of Huckleberry Films over the coming months to help us to document the Ground UP programme in SW Burnley.
The interviews were held last week and each one of the artists/organisations would have brought something unique to the programme and would have created work which would do justice to the memories, lives, creativity and future of the people of South West Burnley. We'd like to thank everyone who we interviewed for their interest in the project, for their time and for coming to meet with us. It was very inspiring.
Huckleberry Films proposed to create a mixed live action and animated film which would bring together the many strands of our work in SW Burnley including the artist residencies, the conversations, photos and films that people have contributed to the SW Streets Museum and the stories of some of the amazing people who live in the area. You can find out more about them and their work on their website.
Huckleberry Films proposal and approach shone out above the others. They had a clear understanding of our vision and values and we are confident they will produce a piece of work that everyone can be proud of. They also received the most votes on our online poll (although the numbers of votes were low!)
You will see them out and about over the next few months and Caroline will be joining us at the Fold in the morning (craft session 10-12) to begin meeting people and making plans.

Our First Photo Walk and I Saw Red!

We had a great walk yesterday - it was lots of fun, I think we all looked differently at our surroundings and we took some pretty good photos of the area. As Andy Ford (the photographer who worked with us) pointed out, as well as photographs we now have contacts with people who we have spoken to, taken photos of and who have seen us out and about. The more we do it the more normal it will become for us and for the community.
We've got a Flickr page and group now. Andy asked each of us to focus on something to help create a 'body of work'. I went for Red and it definitely helped me. The rest of the group also took some cracking shots which revealed so many different aspects of SW Burnley. I don't have access to them at the moment, but they will be uploaded and shared soon.
The plan is to meet again in two week's time on the 27th June 10.30-2.130 at the Fold. Please come and join us if you fancy it. Bring your own camera or use one of ours.
Cath

Craft Session, New People and Fresh Energy

We had the first art and craft session at the Cabin this week. There were seven of us in total, which is probably about all that the room can manage comfortably, but more people are planning to come next time so we will find a way (even if a little uncomfortably).  Caroline, one of the two artists starting her residency with Ground UP, was able to join us for the session, which was lovely as she was able to chat to new people, follow up some areas of interest and join the fun. She was telling us how friendly she found SW Burnley on her initial walkabout and how open people have been, which was great to hear.

As one of the Ground UP core team of three I have been inspired and re-invigorated by my first couple of meet ups with Caroline and Kelly. They are bringing a new energy and fresh perspectives to the project and it feels like  the development work over the past few months is now feeding into positive activity and already there is a cross-fertilisation of ideas happening.

Today we also interviewed six people/organisations for the documentation commission. We haven't made a decision yet, but the process itself has encouraged more questions and ideas about how and what we want to document and what role the documenter will play. Each of the interviews was so completely different and each proposed process would bring something unique to Ground UP and the local community. Again, it was good to hear from each of the artists and discover why they had applied for the commission. Most told us that the opportunity to work with a project that is founded on a solid and 'Ground UP' process linked to the open brief had inspired them to submit a proposal. We must make a decision tomorrow so that the successful artists can get going and continue to build on the developing programme and energy around the project.

Oh, and tomorrow we are going on a photo walk with local photographer Andy Ford to photograph some of the people and places of South West Burnley.

Cath