Arts
We are all history in the making
Every photograph we take, every entry in a diary or frame
from a home movie documents the way we live. The newly opened exhibition
now at the University Gallery, entitled You are History: a document of
our everyday lives, aims to explore the methods by which we, often
inadvertently, document the events of our lives and how these are observed
and examined by artists, writers and photographers.
Images from the Exhibition
It is hoped, by the curators, all students from the Department of Art
History and Theory, that all those who visit the exhibition will become a
part of it.
Everyone who attends will be encouraged to become a part of it by adding
to the display something personal that captures some aspects of their life
from the previous 24 hours.
In this way, each person who contributes something, however small, will
help in producing a multi-media document, which will evolve throughout the
run of the show. In this way local history will be revealed to give a
unique insight into the everyday life of the gallery, the visitors and the
community.
Images from the Exhibition
Along with the contributions from the public, the exhibition will display
work by a range of artists including the acclaimed contemporary
photographer Corinne Day, and August Sander, known for his insightful
images of ordinary individuals from the early 1900s.
Courtesy of the East Anglian Film Archive, based at the University of East
Anglia, the exhibition will also include footage from some of the earliest
known amateur films. On show will be a compilation of Colchester scenes
from 1931 to 1948 as well as a street scene from 1960.
Images from the Exhibition
Director of the Film Archive, David Cleveland, said: 'Our films are
historical documents of the history of the east of England. These moving
images are unique, and after we have done our job of preserving them, we
like to see them used in as many ways as possible across the region.'
The exhibition is the brainchild of five students studying for a Masters
degree in Gallery Studies. It forms a vital part of their work and will be
assessed by a senior curator from the Victoria and Albert Museum in May.
One of the five, Matt Rushby, said: 'We wanted it to be something that was
relevant and interesting to people and something they could contribute to
personally, rather than it being an 'arty' project.'
To coincide with the exhibition there will be an in-depth educational
programme in place which will focus on issues such as memory, family,
history and everyday life. Visits by local schoolchildren, tailored to
meet the needs of the national curriculum, will involve a range of
interactive workshops such as creative writing, collage work, and
photography.
You are History: a document of our everyday lives will be at the
University Gallery from Monday 22 April to Friday 17 May. Opening times
are as follows: Monday to Friday 11am-5pm and Saturday to Sunday
1pm-4.30pm.
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