People's Act: Room to React

Lauren is a young art worker originally from Bristol who came to Huntly first as an intern after finishing her art history degree at Glasgow University. As part of the Year of the Young People scheme she followed a 3 month research period by local school student Clyde Williamson. Both Lauren and Clyde worked over the period of a year with the next generation of voices in Huntly, questioning whether young people in Huntly have a say in what happens around them.

Whose voices are heard? How can we ensure we are responsibly consuming, distributing and creating news and information? How can we develop engaging methods of communication with and for young people? The project builds on previous research from Young Intern Clyde Williamson's Summer 2018 project Meals and Movies which explored themes of democracy amongst young people.

Working with individuals, groups and school classes, People's Act questioned our news and information sources, and looked at both contemporary and historical methods of communication with young people in Huntly. Ideas of democracy and the media have been investigated specifically through political discussion, print making, badge production, zine making, satirical content, script writing and poetry, offering them a democratic platform to speak out and about local and national political issues.

Youth voices of Huntly took over 8 Castle Street for the Room to React exhibition with a collection of content providing Huntly with an alternative perspective on what surrounds them. Themes explored include Brexit, relationships with Europe, the media and headlines, memes, escapism, Huntly and environmental issues.

Building on Clyde Williamson's concept the 'Crap Tour,' students Amelie and John led creative tours of Huntly during the April Farmers' market.

Throughout May, Lauren cycled from Huntly to Bristol collecting personal responses about national identities and Scottish independence.

Content references:

Postcards from Huntly, creative tour souvenirs by tour guides Amelie & John

David Cameron vs Zombies, still from script by Leo

Escapism & Chaos, poem by Chantelle

Escapism & Chaos, photographs by Chantelle

Vote they cry, vote, poem by Chloe

Forgue Parish Church, photographic projection by Ava

Mead's Mysteries, photographic projection by Ava

Hugs, meme by Kyle