Storyteller Seasonal Series: Winter
Adam, our Storyteller-in-residence at Scene & Heard, shares a diary of his work over the past winter. This is the second instalment of a seasonal series, featuring monthly reflections of his time working as a community storyteller.
DECEMBER
I took part in Oral History training at the British Library, which was fascinating. As a lover of interviews and documentary work, this was like discovering a whole new planet. I’m planning to use oral histories in my community work to both inform my understanding and contribute to my final exhibition.
Just before Christmas I returned to southern Spain, this time undertaking my project planning sessions in Málaga. I had created a surprising amount of admin for myself, so I got up early every day to try and get through my task list while also enjoying being present.
Goals:
Take training course (Intro to Oral History).
Start writing up and consolidating plans for training and exhibition planning.
Relax into the Winter break.
JANUARY
Back to the Wellcome Collection for their exhibition ‘1880 That.’ While it doesn’t have the relevance to heat and health, there are valuable learnings I took around accessibility (Who can and can’t access the material?), inclusivity (Who is involved in the planning and strategising of how the work is created and delivered? Who isn’t being considered?), and checking your own assumptions/countering your own bias.
Goals:
Continue to write up plans for training needs and exhibition planning.
Get out to a local event.
Keep the pace slow and remember it’s still hibernation season.
FEBRUARY
As part of the Melting Metropolis project, I’d like to utilise the medium of the graphic novel, alongside recorded audio. I’m not a graphic artist by trade so I’m challenging myself to develop my skills in this area and make this a foundational part of my exhibition.
Goals:
Reach back out to potential collaborators and expand local network.
Develop practical skills.
Emerge carefully as the Spring approaches.
