Hop Step and Jump

Since the last post, we have succeeded in receiving a grant from the Arts Council to deliver the Hop Step and Jump project that was originally proposed for Artists Taking the Lead. It will stretch over two years up until the Olympics.

LACE are also performing at The Junction over the early bank holiday weekend in May.

Exciting times ahead!

Caroline

2010, here comes LACE

Hi, Caroline here, on New Years eve and thinking what 2010 will bring for LACE.

So we came second for Artists Taking the Lead - frustratingly almost there but not quite. However, our newly re-fashioned Hop Step and Jump proposal has been submitted to ACE and we all eagerly await the outcome in several weeks time. The process of writing the applications and proposals has been a good one for the group in terms of understanding each other and getting to know our interests and working methodologies. Many thanks must go to those who spent a lot of time working on the application documents - not always the easiest or most enjoyable task.

Six of us attended an autobiology workshop in london run by Helen and Leslie - I can only speak for myself, but I found it very enlightening - I learnt a great deal about my family in that short time even though they weren't there! We also visited the wonderful Sophie Calle show at the Whitechapel and all agreed it was very powerful - especially the film depicting her mother's death.

Happy New Year everyone

Silver

Hello, Richard from LACE here. Here is a video I made as part of the Luton presentation:

Four of us met in Luton yesterday to give our presentation to the selection panel for the artists Taking the Lead project. Despite the occasion in the event I think all of us really enjoyed the experience. We were joined by Gill Lloyd , Director of Artsadmin who gave us added gravitas and assurance - thank you Gill!

This image was one of several shown during our presentation.

We await the outcome, but in the meantime several members of LACE are now planning their trip to Chester to the Up The Wall festival towards the end of this month.

Out and About: LACE in Southend

Lace artists have been out and about in the East of England testing out some of the ideas we have that relate to 'Hop, Step and Jump' and gathering feedback from the general public about some of the issues and ideas at the heart of our project:

• Re-imaging hopscotch for the 21st Century: thinking of all the ways in which the game could be played and what could replace the traditional elements of the chalked court and the stone

• Using hopscotch to combine sport with art

• Archiving the memories people have of playing the game

• Making it more accessble and user-friendly

• Getting people involved: encouraging physical interaction

Most recently there was a LACE stall at Metal's 'Village Green' event in Southend on Saturday 26th September. Artists Vicki Weitz, Dot Howard and Holly Darton ran a series of interactive interventions including races, dressing up, drawing and poetry.

Here are some of the photographs documenting the days events:

We are all working hard towards our presentation on Monday 5th October to the selection panel for the Artists Taking the Lead project. Its been fun too, several of us have been out and about to capture images and talk to the public about what hopscotch could be. The imaginative responses have convinced us even more that this is something EVERYONE can identify with. Dot drew a hopscotch court near her home and soon realised not only were young people using it but older people were striking up conversations about the hopscotch they remembered in their youth.

One thing we have been considering is how hopscotch can be as relevant and enjoyable for all ages. As a result we have looked at a table top version of the game that could be played in pubs, clubs and care homes across the region.

Five of us will present to the panel. It all takes place in Luton so we will converge there in time for a quick run through before our afternoon slot. and then it is fingers crossed time.....

hello from LACE

Welcome to the LACE blog!

LACE (Live Art Collective East) are Richard DeDomenici, Helen Paris, Leslie Hill, Holly Darton, Vicki Weitz, Mel Donahoe, Caroline Wright, Juliet Aster, Dot Howard, Abi Cunliffe, Che Kevlin and Chris Dobrowolski.

We live and work in the Eastern region and have been shortlisted for the Artists Taking The Lead cultural olympiad project - see www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk

Check here for news of our progress and other projects we are working on.