creative conversations with SAND
led by Dea Paradisos - Visual Artist
In collaboration with campaigning organisation SAND (Safer Ageing No Discrimination), we invited Dea to work with older members of the LGBTQ+ community. Face to face sessions were just about to start when the pandemic hit, and so Dea, with the technical support of Richard Benjamin, moved the sessions online. Meeting regularly with LGBTQ+ participants over Zoom, Dea facilitated group sessions that generated a variety of creative content. Dea then worked with this content in response to the conversations, and with regular input from the group. The resulting artwork “A Message To My Younger Self “ is a short film that reflects the intimacy and generosity of the shared project experience.
At the groups prompting Dea and Richard then went on to work with an intergenerational group. Again, the conversation-based sessions were held over Zoom, using the film “The Celluloid Closet” as a springboard for discussion about on-screen representation of the LGBTQ+ community. The resulting film made by the group includes excerpts of the captured conversation which serve as the soundtrack to a film, whilst archive footage illustrates the discussion.
Through the project both Dea and Richard, both older creatives themselves, had opportunity to extend their creative and technical skills through training and guidance.
Both films were been showcased at the 2021 and 2022 Shrewsbury LGBT History Festivals.
Through the project both Dea and Richard, both older creatives themselves, had opportunity to extend their creative and technical skills through training and guidance.
Both films were been showcased at the 2021 and 2022 Shrewsbury LGBT History Festivals.
“Everyone was so generous, taking time to listen to each other and sharing very personal stories and points of view. Whilst the sessions were conversation based, everyone was asked to contribute ideas and feedback on the artwork as it progressed. Working over Zoom was new to me, as was using an iPad creatively and working with archive footage, so I’ve learned a lot from this experience…but most of all, what I’ve valued is having the opportunity to share, listen and collaborate with people at a time when so many of us have felt isolated” - Dea
some photos from the project
To find out more about SAND please visit their website here