The Dynamite Project
Hypothesis:
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'What energy would be released if you combined a group of young people from Saltcoats in North Ayrshire with an artist, poet, animator and drama facilitator, and exposed them to the catalyst of Alfred Nobel? Then introduce them to other external forces, people and places connected with chemistry, physics, medicine and physiology, literature, and peace?' - Rachel Mimiec |
Last year, North Ayrshire Council’s Creative Links programme commissioned visual artist Rachel Mimiec to work on an arts-meets-science project, of her own devising. She has a community and public art focus to her work, and the idea was for her to work collaboratively with a group of marginalised young people. The Dynamite Project is inspired by the Alfred Nobel Foundation Prizes for Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Economics and Peace. Alfred Nobel had an explosives factory at Ardeer, only a mile or so south of Saltcoats.
The Dynamite Project aimed to work with young people experiencing difficulties coping with every-day school life, and hoped to give them an incentive to turn up at school and take part in new, stimulating activities. A group of 12 S3's were self selected for the project, from St. Andrews Academy, in Saltcoats. These pupils were amongst a number who work with the Support Base staff.
To support the project, Rachel brought in writer Gerry Cambridge, drama worker Elly Goodman and video and animation artist Iain Piercy. One of the outcomes of this team teaching was the Dynamite interactive DVD, an amusing and quirky look at the life of Alfred Nobel. Rachel and the pupils also produced photographs and art work from their site visits and field trip experiences.
Further outcomes from the project are in progress
- Rachel is working with Gerry to produce a book of the pupils and her art works and writings
- Rachel has also created an unusual sculpture/exhibition unit, inspired by the periodic table which will be permanently sited within the school
- A final outcome will be be annual prize medals for the pupils, similar to those awarded by the Nobel Foundation
To read more of Rachel Mimiec's writings about The Dynamite Project, check out Air Time
View clips from the Dynamite interactive DVD |
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