THE 2021 FESTIVAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
RUNNING 1-30 NOVEMBER 2021
RUNNING 1-30 NOVEMBER 2021
After four and a half years of research, we aim to present key aspects of our learning in the Distant Voices project through a series of events. This will include:
Three evening performances (featuring songs co-written with justice-affected people); two of these will be in the format of ‘house-gigs’ online (i.e. a small song-circle of 3 musicians, with a host, will play and discuss a short set of 8 songs from the project); one involves the premiere of a filmed version of a work originally devised for theatre called ‘A Giant on the Bridge’ which combines stories and songs in an innovative exploration of punishment, reintegration and restoration.
The three performances will be pre-recorded but then live-streamed to allow engagement and dialogue online (e.g. via chat functions in YouTube, or similar). Three lunchtime ‘conversations’ in Zoom webinar format, with members of the research team, mainly focused on the alienation, separation and distance that punishment creates, and on what we have learned about how that ‘void’ can be ‘bridged’ through creative community development.
Distant Voices has refined and developed our understanding of the shape and scale of the ‘void’ that punishment creates; and of creative, prefigurative practices that might help us ‘bridge’ the void. That is the key focus of the festival. The running order of the festival is aimed to start with our analysis of the ‘void’ and then work towards our understanding of ‘bridges’ and bridge-building. Closing gig: Moving On Together with a set-list that speaks to prefigurative practices and hopes and that celebrates all of our work together.
Vox Liminis
It is open to all, but probably not suitable for children.
Criminal justice activists, practitioners, policymakers, service users, students. The media and those interested in popular music and theatre.
