Hia, I’m Kitt. I’m an artist and researcher based in Newcastle- upon-Tyne. This is the first of an occasional series of blogs during 2021-2022 through which I’ll share info about the participatory art project “This, our hive of voices”, commissioned by Warwickshire County Record Office (WCRO) as part of the Arts&Heritage Meeting Point Programme.
The project started in March 2021 and will run until March / April 2022. During this time, I’ll be working alongside staff and volunteers at the record office and groups of local people. Together we will explore the archives, looking for stories which often don’t get told in traditional approaches to history. We will use these stories as the inspiration for a series of collaboratively made artworks.
Why a hive?
I like the idea of the archive as a beehive or giant bird house- with local histories flying in and out and we’ll use this as a starting point for the artwork. I’m interested in the role of the archive in the community. To me, it seems like a place where stories are cared for, nurtured, and sent back out into the world to connect with, and through, new communities and generations. Together, through the project, I hope people involved will also discover and share stories about their own histories (and imagined futures).
Get involved
There will be a series of workshops for local groups and individuals between Sept – Dec 2021. If you, or a group you work with, are interested in learning more or getting involved please email the project producer Sarah Li with the heading “WCRO”. No previous art / archive experience is required!
In March 2022, the collaboratively made artworks will be shared publicly through a digital exhibition and (hopefully Covid restorations allowing!) also through a physical exhibition in a venue in Warwickshire.
I’ve popped a few links below about the project and some of my previous work relating to un / under told histories, and you might also be interested in this article about the project at the record office. If you have any question or would just like a general chat about the project please get in touch. I hope to publish another blog in July.
Cheers,
Kitt
Previous examples of work with museums and archives
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