Mingling Memories and Artivism Artivism - a project exploring the creative talents of different generations, using recycled materials, memories and shared stories. With Artivism, I became interested in exploring the theme of 'recycling' from a wider context. Instead of simply recycling materials, I wanted to explore the notion of recycling the 'human' element, or at least, people's stories and memories. Using the head as a vessel for memories, visual artist, Kevin Hickson and I, worked creatively with the group to create characters that either directly related to personal memories or referred to imaginary fantastical experiences. To support the 3D pieces, I worked with the group to create a short video piece called Mingling Memories from sampled conversations, old photos and reminisces. Together with composer, Mark Valentine Sullivan, this imagery was then woven together to create a collective memory, complementing and illuminating the beguiling pieces made by the group. The video piece attempts to bring together the recycling theme, the creative work produced, and the intergenerational aspect of the project - while placing the participants stories right at the centre of the work. Working with composer, Mark Valentine Sullivan, the haunting, melodic rhythm of the sound track moves the narrative along, while the fragmentary nature of the video - through trains, tracks and visual motion - together, serves as a visual and aural metaphor for memories, and how they recall each other, directly and indirectly, like the memories they reference. The tracks that guide the course of our rembering, of our remembrances!
