ENTER - A collaboration between Creative Black Country (England) and Kuturvilla Nellie (Germany)
Exploring Climate Activism Through Creative Collaboration
ENTER is a recently completed (March 2024) project by a group of young, early-career creatives who have taken part in the Cultural Bridge Programme over the past 12 months that was developed to embody the dynamic synergy between artistry and activism, delving into narratives that echo the depths of our collective human experience. The Cultural Bridge Programme supported a transformative journey, where emerging artists from the Black Country initially embarked on solitary paths, only to converge into a powerful collective force through a pivotal experience at Kuturvilla Nellie in Lorrach, Germany.
Central to their narrative is the 'Red Studio,' initially conceived as Tod Jones’s sanctuary during the 2020 lockdown. What began as a personal refuge evolved into a symbol of 'quiet activism' against climate change, weaving its vibrant threads through the diverse works of our participating artists.
A short film anchored in the symbolism of the 'Red Studio,' is a captivating exploration of various perspectives on climate change. Social spoken word artist Ajay Pall traverses urban landscapes in search of solace away from technology, while poet Anisha Sahota delves into the profound impact of climate change on present and future generations. Tod, amidst lush green spaces, finds solace in the tranquil embrace of the 'Red Studio.'
Building on the foundation laid by the Cultural Bridge pilot programme, our partnership harbors a strong ambition to delve deeper into learning and exploration of themes that emerged from interactions with the local community. These themes, including environmental concerns and shared anxieties about climate change, resonate deeply with neighborhoods and daily lives, whether in the Black Country or Lorrach. Through this initiative, the artists aim to amplify voices, particularly those from marginalised areas or whose voices often go unheard.
Find out more about ENTER during the pilot programme here: https://www.cultural-bridge.info/projects/2021-2022/enter/
The Kulturvilla Nellie is a cultural centre in Lörrach in the south of Germany, close to the French and Swiss borders. Kulturvilla Nellie has a little stage, a pub, several seminar and rehearsal rooms and a cinema. The NELLIE organizes various concerts, Poetry Slams, comedy nights and festivals throughout the year. In the center of their work is always the thought that culture needs to be democratic - from everyone for everyone! Follow Kulturvilla Nellie on Instagram and Facebook and at nellie-nashorn.de
Image © Laura Ablancourt - Maynard
ABOUT CULTURAL BRIDGE
Cultural Bridge celebrates bilateral artistic partnerships between the UK and Germany through the collaboration between Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, British Council, Creative Scotland, Fonds Soziokultur, Goethe-Institut London and Wales Arts International / Arts Council of Wales.
The programme supports intercultural exchange and dialogue in the field of participative arts and culture. Since launching in 2021, it has so far enabled 44 organisations that place communities at the heart of their work, to build and develop new partnerships that allow exploration and exchange of practice between Germany and the UK.
The current 2023 - 2024 programme is supporting 15 partnerships between UK and German-based organisations, who have been awarded funding to develop cultural projects exploring issues facing communities across both countries. It follows the pilot year in 2021-2022 in which 7 partnerships were funded. Find out more.
Key learnings and the impact of the pilot year programme are available through the evaluation report, written and produced by tialt.
From the Cultural Bridge Blog
The images below are of the Cultural Bridge team with creatives Anisha Sahota, Tod Jones and Ajay Pall who headed to Germany for their exchange with Kuturevilla Nellie in Lorrach in September. Images by Kom Achall.
This project was funded by Cultural Bridge, which celebrates bilateral artistic partnerships between the UK and Germany through the collaboration between Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, British Council, Creative Scotland, Fonds Soziokultur, Goethe-Institut London and Wales Arts International / Arts Council of Wales.
