Remembrance with the Community
During the Remembrance period 2022, our Art Department created one of their biggest art projects to date. Drawing on the East Asian concept of the red thread of fate that binds people together, and taking inspiration from artist Chiharu Shiota, our pupils, staff and members of our local community created an incredibly emotive art installation that weaves a web of connections between those who have served for their country and people in their community – both in school and in the locality.
The ‘Bloodlines’ project is located in our art atrium space and unlike the equally poignant art installations created over recent years, this project has encouraged community engagement and interaction, with three local primary schools (Stutton, Holbrook and Oxford House) and three local care homes (St Mary’s, Oak House and Spring Lodge) involved. They were invited to create and connect their own labels to go alongside our pupils’ work. Our History Department has also worked with the primary schools involved to help contextualise Remembrance for their young pupils.
Emulating the labels on the cases and gas masks of evacuees, we provided two luggage labels to each individual involved. On one label the individual was asked to share something about themselves (even if it is just their name). On the other label, the individual was asked to share something about a relative, or family connection, who has been involved in military service for their country.
The pair of labels were then returned to the Art Department and joined together by a red thread, each thread being intertwined to create a web of history and connections that binds the community together. Pathways and spaces within the intertwined threads have been created for visitors to walk into and through, in order to further connect with the piece.
The final touches of the project include audio of a former pupil - the grandfather to a teacher and great grandfather to two of our pupils, talking about his experiences of RHS and of going to war. This audio is from a recorded interview by the Imperial War Museum. Finally, images of text from a memoir from the grandparent of one of our teachers have been projected onto the walls, bathed in red light.
The installation was open for viewing for 10 days by the RHS community, with the local primary schools involved being invited to visit during this time.
Aims
The aim was to connect members of our community with those who had served in the wars, and to educate the younger members of our community in a visual art piece that connected them with an important part of history. Not just British history but the impact of wars on all parts of the world, due to the international members of our community.
All involved were united by the red thread of fate that is interwoven through the impact of war.
The visual impact art installation was the success factor with those involved invited not only to participate but to view the end result of everyone's work coming together.
The creative masterpiece was covered by BBC Look East.
Background
The idea came from our Head of Art, Harriet Barber, who has created an art installation for the past three years as a way of bringing Remembrance Day to life in a more visual way for our community. The History Department is also involved each year, connecting the art with important historical facts.
Resources
Both teaching and non teaching staff took part, using the schools art facilities. Minimal products were actually used and all the tags and thread are being repurposed now the installation has been removed.
Impact
The primary schools and care homes involved were all delighted to be involved and felt connected in Remembrance of all those impacted by war.
We aim to make this an annual event around Remembrance Day.
Pupil Involvement
Boys and girls were involved from ages 9 to 99!
Frequency
Annual event
