Art, Climate and Displacement: 3 Spoken Word Films by Selina Nwulu and Onysha D Collins

Writer and poet Selina Nwulu and filmmaker Onysha D Collins (both former Shake! participants now involved with Shake! as facilitators and mentors), have teamed up for a series of spoken word films produced by Platform. 

The three films ‘Before’, ‘Our Parents’ Children’, and ‘Home is a Hostile Lover’ are part of a commission from metaceptive for their ‘Footprint Modulation’ season on art, climate and displacement. They address, among other things, the themes of migration, displacement, identity, and the environmental damage in Nigeria caused by the oil industry.

The films were first screened at ‘Silence Would Be Treason: Between Nigeria and here + Durham De-Oiled’, a joint event by Platform and Transition Durham, which took place in Durham earlier this week.

All three pieces written and performed by Selina, and filmed and edited by Onysha.

'Before'

'Our  Parents' Children'

'Home is a Hostile Lover'

#Shake2015: #StatesOfViolence - Applications open MONDAY 9th JANUARY

Our next shake! up >> 16th-20th February << at the Stephen Lawrence Centre.

Applications now open for our FREE! 5 day course on Art/ Race/ Media/ Power for 16-25's.
See below for more info & how to apply
 
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16-25?
Angry about the injustice you see around you?
Come shake tings up with performance poets, film-makers, musicians & activists on a free 5 day course to creatively express frustrations & concerns about the world you live in.



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** LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE (for 16-25 year olds) **

APPLICATIONS OPEN MONDAY 12TH JANUARY
Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

To receive a short application & for more info, email: farzana@platformlondon.org
Art can be a powerful non-violent force for change.

Each day Shake! creative workshops will provide space to imagine what justice looks like, experiment with new ideas, learn new tools and fire up your imagination.



States of Violence is exploring:
-State violence and police brutality
-The construction of violence and its impact on our states (physical, mental, spiritual/values)
-Gender based violence, patriarchy & transphobia
-Gentrification as violence
-Resistance: violent & non-violent strategies
-Militarization of everyday life
-Prisons & detention centres
·-Violence through the construction of the Other and violence through continued Other-ing

Join us, where else you gonna be?

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Over the five days, the course will include:

>> interactive workshops, stimulating dialogue & skill-shares to creatively campaign for change with practising artists/activists/educators:

>> ZENA EDWARDS
>> SAI MURRAY
>> PAULA SERAFINI
>> FARZANA KHAN
>> PLATFORM LONDON
>> ONYSHA D COLLINS
>> USAYD YOUNIS
>> MIKA MINIO-PALUELLO
>> ADAM ELLIOT COOPER tbc
>> MARCINA ARNOLD tbc
(+ more to be announced!)

>> practical hands-on techniques in spoken word, online media, film/video and music technology to develop your ideas around injustice and power.

>> access to a/v equipment, workshop spaces, rehearsal room, and refreshments at the landmark Stephen Lawrence Centre.

>> opportunity to showcase your work and continued involvement in the Shake! network.

In Profile: Annie Rockson and Onysha D Collins

With our 4th Shake! showcase just 2 days away it's our pleasure to profile two of our special guests and former Shake! participants Annie Rockson and Onysha D Collins.

Since their attendance at last year's intensive Shake! course at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre (Annie was also a participant on Shake! at the Stephen Lawrence Centre, August 2012) it has been a pleasure to witness the poetry/activist pow of Annie and Onysha go from strength to strength.

A sample of their recent appearances includes: supporting the King of Afrobeat (Tony Allen) at Numbi's Afro-Disco event; perfomance at the launch of the Huntley Biography project, War on Want: The New Frontlines of War; African Uprisings; Live Art Development Agency' 'I hate America (I love America)'; Let Freedom Ring! The People''s guide to Popular Education and Freedom to name but a few!

In addition to all this, both poets are also developing educational work: Annie is currently working on a self-help book for young people - highly relevant to our next two Shake! courses focusing on well-being and healthy eating - and Onysha has just returned from Dominica where she is making first steps towards developing an Afrikan-history based education project.

Here's a sample of their latest videos and of course - don't miss the chance to catch them LIVE! alongside the wealth of other Shake! talent at #ShakeShowcase #4 this Thursday at the Free Word Centre 6-9pm.