ARTISTS MAKING STEPS FOR REMEMBERING TOGETHER.
The Scotland-wide initiative, Remembering Together, has artists across the country co-creating with their communities fitting tributes to remember the impact Covid has had on us all.
Live Life Aberdeenshire's Cultural services commissioned 3 artists to create something unique for the region.
Following intensive community research, lead artist, Claudia Zeiske, sustainable furniture-maker Chris Nangle and native musician Paul Anderson, are creating artworks to support hope and healing.
Claudia Zeiske led the initial phase of this arts project, having walked a 250 km journey in the Summer of 2022 from the summit of Ben Macdui to the ports of Peterhead and Fraserburgh. Hundreds of individuals and groups walked and talked with the artist, discussing their experiences of Covid and sharing their thoughts on what a remembering piece could look like for Aberdeenshire.
Furniture-maker, Chris Nangle, creates ecologically responsible furniture. He has been working with Zeiske and the communities of Aberdeenshire to source locations for several unique structures that will be bedded into the landscape; places for people to visit, reflect and contemplate. Bespoke benches are currently being designed and once completed will be scattered across a slice of Aberdeenshire, a new route from mountain to sea.
Aberdeenshire’s world-renowned fiddler, Dr Paul Anderson, has been capturing the stories and emotions that have been shared, and is currently creating new compositions authentic to the people and places he has been visiting. An album of tunes shall be made and shared. The album will also be able to be accessed from QR codes to be found on each of the benches.
As we move towards longer days and warmer weather, we look forward to celebrating the launch of this unique arts offer with everyone. UPDATE COMING SOON.
Our approach is stirring interest far and wide... Friends of Patrick Geddes, France, have highlighted aspects of our project approach in their recent Winter newsletter:Association Patrick Geddes, France
The 'Remembering Together' initiative is commissioning artists in all 32 local authority areas in Scotland, in a collective statement of society working together to create a Covid memorial for each region. It is funded by the Scottish Government.
The intention is to honour the people we have lost and find the ways we want to remember them with a focus on hope and healing.
A short film was made in phase one, giving an insight into the approach taken by Claudia Zeiske.
The film can be watched here: Remembering Together: Aberdeenshire short film
If you would like further information then please email artsteam@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
The first phase saw creative producer Claudia Zeiske walk from mountain to sea, over the Summer of 2022, where she met, walked and talked with over 200 individuals and groups to discuss what Covid had meant to them all and hear about the impact this pandemic had in our communities.
Taking inspiration from Aberdeenshire-born community planner Patrick Geddes, Claudia walked from the top of Scotland’s second-highest mountain, Ben Macdui, to the port of Peterhead, passing Geddes' birthplace of Ballater, and connecting with many communities along the way.
The walk started early July and this 200km journey from mountain to sea was completed on 22nd August. Invited co-walkers along the way discussed their community and the impact Covid has had, with the artist. At the end of each stretch, individuals and community groups came together over a cake or a meal to share their experiences of both pandemic and place with the artist. Along the way, the artist carried with her a specially printed tablecloth to initiate conversation over a fly cup and invited everyone along the way to sign it. With over 200 signatures so far, these, along with drawings people also contributed, are being embroidered onto the cloth, which we aim to exhibit once completed.
The most challenging part of the walk has been from the summit of Ben Macdui down to Braemar. Faced with some of the wildest weather, it was the company and stories of the many people Claudia met along the way that was warming, feeling humbled by the often very personal tales people shared along the way. Claudia has supped tea with mountain climbers to knitting groups, from Team GB skiers to chemists, publicans, food banks and care homes to name but a few, and in a variety of places from paths and bridges to cosy cafes and a train station.
More information on Scotland's Remembering Together programme can be found at:
Remembering Together