ARTIST ROOMS Learning Programme
BILL VIOLA
Dick Institute, Kilmarnock3 September – 24 December 2011
Kate Davies, Cultural Development Coordinator – Visual Arts and ExhibitionsCultural and Countryside ServicesEast Ayrshire Council
Bill Viola ARTIST ROOMS Learning Programme, Dick Institute 2011
Bill Viola Studio
•Adding to ARTIST ROOMS collections•Practicalities •Budgets•Outcomes•Experience
Bill Viola ARTIST ROOMS Learning Programme, Dick Institute 2011
ARTIST ROOMS
‘To establish and maintain effective collaborations between curators, educators and other gallery staff to maximise the potential of ARTIST ROOMS and realise its key objectives’
Bill Viola ARTIST ROOMS Learning Programme, Dick Institute 2011
Viola Learning Programme Team
Phillipa AitkenKate Davies
Michelle LaatsMichaella Mullen
Carol KeohoneLouise Kyle
Arts and Media Development ManagerVisual Arts and Media OfficerPerforming Arts Development OfficerArts CoordinatorAudience Development AssistantAudience Development Officer
Michelle Laats and Michaella MullenMarco Rea and Clare KellyJack HendersonCalum CouttsMike ScottKenny Caldwell
Artists
DramaMusicDance
Visual ArtPhotography
Film
VIOLA LEARNING PROGRAMME
‘Viola’s Predellas’ (age group 13 – 18) •Mime and Chorus Work•Sound Composition•Chirology and Movement
‘Catherine’s Room’ (age group 15 – 21) •Twilight series of workshops which took place at the Dick Institute every week.•A group of participants 10 from across East Ayrshire aged 15–21 used drama and visual art to explore and develop their piece.
Sharing EventThe finished work was created within six weeks and performed at a sharing event at the Dick Institute on 7th November by the 50 students in the four workshop groups from Grange Academy, Kilmarnock Academy, Park School, Kilmarnock College and Cumnock Academy. Photography, sound recording and film were used to document the project and as the outcome of the work.
PublicationThanks to support from the Art Fund it was made possible for us to produce a publication folder with insert and documenting DVD recorded at the sharing event.
Bill Viola ARTIST ROOMS Learning Programme, Dick Institute 2011
Bill Viola ARTIST ROOMS Learning Programme, Dick Institute 2011
Working on this learning programme with the students changed my thoughts and views and the way I looked at Viola’s work. As a drama artist I found the videos and techniques Bill Viola uses very inspiring and engaging. It taught me new ways of creating powerful pieces of theatre with the young people.
Michelle Laats
Writing music with Kilmarnock Academy for the Viola project was a really exciting process. Each of the three works gave us different ideas but seemed to give a consistent feel through the compositions. The pupils at Kilmarnock Academy were always confident to try new ideas with theirvoices and instruments.
Marco Rea
Using Bill Viola’s work, ‘Four Hands’, as a primary source and ancient rituals as a secondary source we collaborated to create an ambulomantic structure (a form of divination involving walkingin circles) with chirological movements inspired by sign language, Buddhist mudras (symbolic hand gestures) and movements of the students’ owninvention. The finished piece required a sense of stillness and containment, again a reflection of Viola’s work which the students delivered from a true understanding of the work.
Jack Henderson
Mime and Chirology – Grange Academy
Sound Composition – Kilmarnock Academy
Park School – Chirology and Movement
Catherine’s Room – Kilmarnock College and individuals
SUMMARY
•Collaboration between curatorial staff and educators•Dialogue and dual learning process for staff, artists and learners•Professional development and maintaining international contacts•Professional collaborations•Level of work achieved by young people•Future
Bill Viola ARTIST ROOMS Learning Programme, Dick Institute 2011
I learned to look at art more closelyMale participant, age 13
The project helped me learn how toexpress emotions on my face, and aboutBill Viola and his workMale participant, age 13
I found the experience of the projectthrilling and movingFemale participant, age 15
I learned how to expressdifferent emotions throughvery slight movementsFemale participant, age 18
Something I learned is thatperformance is just as inspirationaland thought-provoking as any other practical art workFemale participant, age 20
It was a great experience and a great musical outcome. I realised that moving image is something that is emotional and exciting.Female participant, age 15