Rationale to the Four Corners of the City arts based project
“Across cultures, across the centuries, feelings, words and
images can fertilize each other. We need to reflect and
search for a way to position ourselves to what is going on
now” Primo Levi
For centuries in cities, across the world, wherever and
whenever people are feeling any sense of inequality and
suffering, many find a way of expressing themselves through
the artistic and creative arts. Great works of art have
been conceived in times of inequality, through the mediums
of poetry, drama, painting, music, film and any other form
of creative expression one may think of, individuals and
whole communities have risen up with a strong voice that
can be heard above the crowd. It is proven that community
pride and neighbourhood cohesion is achieved through the
communities themselves sharing their thoughts and ideas in
order to find a voice through creativity, one that
expresses itself through the artistic form and allows the
people involved to gain respect and understanding which, in
turn, fuels a powerful sense of community and
individuality. People begin to feel healthier, less
isolated and gain a greater sense of self worth.
My understanding of the Four Corners project is that by
working in collaboration through a creative and organic
process we can bring about positive change whilst at the
same time building and developing relationships between
communities and organisations.
People are at the heart of the Four Corners philosophy, a
philosophy which aims to bring about positive change as
well as provide an opportunity for individuals to express
themselves and their opinions on a city wide platform. This
process supports the work produced and promotes it to a
city wide audience and beyond. Four Corners provides the
catalyst for positive change.
I believe that this is central to the creative producer’s
role and will lead to an organic process with contain a
strong team ethic.
This initial time spent building relationships will allow
me to identify a common thread which links the communities
and partners involved and to use this as the basis for
bringing partners together and involving them all equally.
As 2010 is the year of “tackling health inequality across
the city” I would begin by asking all the partners
involved.
What makes a Healthy Neighbourhood?
Health - What does health and well being mean to ME?
How can it effect the quality of my relationships at home,
at work, at school, in the library, out shopping, free time
. . . and the list goes on.
Who does this effect in the neighbourhood?
What can positive health mean in terms of giving us more
energy, more confidence, more control over our lives, a
more positive perspective of others and our communities?
Through this we begin to create a map that outlines the
broad picture of how health inequality effects individuals
in all areas of their daily life, how the people involved
respond to this and what they would like to achieve through
being part of the Four Corners project. I would work to
bring together the distinct voices of the creative partners
in such a way that the exhibition carries a strong through
line whilst at the same time presenting the powerful
individuality and identity of all the individual creative
partners involved.
Health is not just about our bodies - it goes beyond the
physical and can be used to describe: healthy communities,
healthy respect, healthy relationships, healthy attitudes,
healthy debate and healthy discussion.
I understand that the initial meetings and discussion will
form the back bone of the creative concept and act as the
stimulus for the creative pieces. As creative producer I
will be responsible for the overall design, tone and
aesthetic of the final exhibition.
Through my past experience of working with Liverpool’s
multi layered and diverse communities, I understand the
responsibility involved in gaining their confidence and
presenting their work and ideas in a sensitive and
supportive manner. I have learned, at grass roots, an
understanding of Liverpool’s neighbourhood agenda and
understand regeneration issues and possess and appreciation
of the responsiveness to the needs of local communities
I also have a national and International track record of
creating, developing and directing innovative and cutting
edge work.
My passion for local identity and distinctiveness is
demonstrated in much of my past works i.e. Wall Talks,
UNcover and numerous community and education projects. The
content and methods I utilise again and again in the work
that I create and direct demonstrates that I am media savvy
and able to work with multi media organisations.
Through my work with South Liverpool Housing, The National
Trust and Liverpool Culture Company, I have a track record
of working with projects that bring communities, cultural
heritage, arts institutions and experts together
Jen Heyes,
Creative Producer Four Corners 2010
