{"id":7168,"date":"2023-04-04T15:39:02","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T14:39:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artlinkedinburgh.co.uk\/?p=7168"},"modified":"2023-04-06T17:00:54","modified_gmt":"2023-04-06T16:00:54","slug":"long-read-follow-our-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artlinkedinburgh.co.uk\/?p=7168","title":{"rendered":"LONG READ | FOLLOW OUR RULES"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since August 2021 Artlink has been part of the Culture Collective<\/strong><\/a>, a network of 26 participatory arts projects, shaped by local communities alongside artists and creative organisations. Funded by Scottish Government emergency COVID-19 funds through Creative Scotland, each unique project is designed and driven by the community in which it is rooted. Some projects work to creatively engage with older community members; some provide opportunities for young women and non-binary people to find their voices; and others address disconnection, loneliness and mental health in post-lockdown world.<\/p>\n

Follow Our Rules<\/em> is Artlink’s Culture Collective project and our reponse to the post-pandemic world. It supports the exploration of long-term partnerships between artists and individuals with complex disabilities, and the people who support them – promoting new ways of working that have emerged from a grass roots level during the pandemic and casting a light on the use of the arts as a tool for change.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf a society is ultimately judged by how it treats its most vulnerable, then it is imperative that we take the time to look for equality in our differences and join forces, as together we have a much louder voice\u201d.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What follows are highlights of the exploration and experimentation that is supporting postive action in communities, where combining ideas and skills are central to forging a new creative dialogue.<\/p>\n

‘I want your meat & cheese, blood & pie’ PUBLICATION
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

A collaborative picture book from British artists, Julie Verhoeven and Alan Faulds, whose works – created in response to each other \u2013 are layered and collaged together in the publication.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The two share a passion for pop culture, fashion, performance, the macabre and cheesy corn snacks. Their mutual friend, Laura Alridge, from KMAdotcom<\/strong><\/a>, a collective of artists with and without learning differences, proposed that Alan and Julie meet online, to see if they could inspire each other during lockdown.<\/p>\n

And they did. \u2018\u2019Meeting Alan and riffing off his work has had an immense effect on me and my artistic output\u2019\u2019<\/em>, Verhoeven says. \u2018\u2019I have been re-energised to draw again and care less about the outcome, or how the work is perceived, but to simply enjoy the ride. Alan has a fearless energy and deft skill with the brush and pen. His impromptu performances are infectious and joyful, and this energy has affected my attitude to life and work no end\u2019\u2019<\/em>, Verhoeven explains.<\/p>\n

Over the course of 18 months, Alan and Julie met online weekly, created work together, and developed a working partnership . Every week, the pair would prepare sources and inspirations on which they would both draw, and a playlist to which they would dance. In their sessions they would dress up, apply make-up, then come together with their props. There was no clear-cut process of making work however: the duo worked intuitively, amusingly \u2018\u2019flying by the seat of our pants\u2019\u2019<\/em>, as Verhoeven put it.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2019Our work in response to each other and together is a riotous, flavoursome mix of fashion, horror and humour, with a cheesy top. We enjoy masquerading and moving to the music and trust that the creative outcome is honest, unfiltered and visceral\u2019.\u2019<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>
View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/blockquote>