| Behind
Thought the Light Shines Bright
The
Installation
The audience are invited to enter a darkened space that contains
60 empty light sockets suspended in the air. In the space a surround-sound
audio track plays atmospheric sounds combined with a person talking.
The audience is invited to participate by choosing a bulb from
a box and make their own inscription on its surface using a permanent
marker. The bulb is then inserted into an empty light socket,
illuminating the personal message. As the audience engages with
this work so the space is slowly filled with illuminated bulbs
and messages.
The
Gallery of Learning
This project was first shown as part of the Gallery of Learning
exhibition at the Lighthouse Media Centre, Wolverhampton
on November 10th 2005.
This exhibition marked the culmination of a 9-month process where
6 artist-researchers worked in 6 high schools across the Black
Country. Each artist aimed to explore, through their own chosen
art form, the many kinds of learning that takes place in Creative
Partnership projects developed between teachers, artists and pupils.
The exhibition encouraged the active participation of the audience,
and intended to actively share with them some of the learning
and realisations that had taken place in each of the projects.
The
Gallery of Learning developed out of an idea by Noel
Dunne, who both led and supported each stage of this ambitious
project up to its completion. The other artists taking part were
Sandra Hall (performance), Roz Goddard (poetry, installation),
Julie O’Neill (performance), Vicki Stinchcombe (installation),
Rebecca Hardy (video). The exhibition was actively supported by
members of Birmingham’s Creative
Alliance, many of whom help both install each artists work
and document the proceeding. It was also supported and funded
by Creative Partnerships.
Background
to Behind
Thought the Light Shines Bright
For the Gallery of Learning I worked with St Thomas Moore
High School in Walsall, and the journey of english teacher Rebecca
Adey. Through several recorded conversations Rebecca reflects
upon her changing perceptions of creativity and experimentation
as she worked with several artists.
The idea for this light-based participatory project arose from
the popular image of new ideas and understanding as being like
'lights going on' - something that happened often durring this
project. The title was taken from one of the messages inscribed
on the light bulbs. For me this message captured the essence of
what I feel is one of the foundations of the Gallery of Learning:
creativity is not to be found in the sole domain of artists but
is right at the heart of life, sitting behind all ideas and thoughts
like a clear light.
I am grateful to Noel Dunne in helping shape the ideas for this
installation.
I
intend to show this project again in a expanded form in the near
future. Please contact
me for more information, or if you have any ideas or suggestions.
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