Students at South Thames College in Wandsworth have been working closely with lead artist Roopa Basu creatively responding to the theme of "Truth" for a new installation at Nine Elms Pavillion as part of the London Design Festival. It has been a fascinating, thought provoking and thoroughly worthwhile experience with the students gaining first hand knowledge and valuable insights into the professional practice associated with artists working in the public realm alongside diverse communities.
Art Students from the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art Design & Communication have creatively responded to the theme alongside statements collected from the elderly about truth - following a presentation from Roopa about the project they discussed the brief in class, created mind maps and sketches before selecting their favourite designs to be finalised.
Art & Design Lecturer David Henckel commented: "I am really blown away by the quality and variety of the work alongside their professional attitude and work ethic - given the short turnaround time. Vocational experience is key to the student's development and a live project of this sort gives them invaluable real-world skills which they would not receive in the classroom. The opportunity to be part of a team to help with the realisation of the installation will give them a head start in their studies and future practice."
Roopa also engaged with students studying the UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production who have used the statements about truth as an impetus for sound pieces and audio collages created in Logic Pro. Once again this has jump started their academic year with invaluable real-world experiences that allow them to clearly see the links and relationships between studio practice, a live brief and a fully realised installation in the public realm. Over an intense couple of days these future producers and sonic explorers have built studio recording, editing and composition skills whilst creatively exploring their own relationship to Truth. Alongside the clear vocational benefits this project has had on the students it has also accelerated the groups social cohesion and confidence, which can only have a positive impact as they continue their studies.
