MEDIA AND ARTWORKS
Gallery
Raising The Curtain Booklet
This booklet was created as a thank you to all who participated in the Raising the Curtain project. It is a memento of what we learnt together over the 5 years of the project, about the lived experience of dementia, collaborative art making, and so much more.
RAISING THE CURTAIN ZINE
This Zine was developed as part of Raising the Curtain and includes words and artworks by participants living with the experience of dementia.
THE MAKING OF ELLIE
Our team facilitated a paper sculpting workshop where we explored the theme of stigma with our participants. Crumpling paper cathartically, we pieced together the legs, body, ears and tail, until we felt our elephant was strong enough to stand on it’s legs. As we moved to the dialogue portion of our workshop it became clear that our participants had much to say about the stigmas they face in their lives. The elephant sculpture (named Ellie) was later used as a talking tool to further explore the research theme and engage residents and staff. Ellie became somewhat of a mascot for Raising The Curtain.
ORIGINAL SONGS
In our 2019 workshops with our participants we wrote two original songs, Why Are We Doing This? and How It Is, with lyrics entirely made of quotes from our participants. We so enjoyed singing these pieces together each week: they became anthems for our project, to be featured in our theatrical production. In 2020 as we began rehearsing for the big show, our physical gatherings were halted with the spread of COVID affecting all parts of the world. We decided to forge on, in the new world of Zoom video conferencing, and we continued to sing and engage with our participants on this platform. The songs were recorded by montaging recordings from our Zoom calls with participants.
Why Are We Doing This?
How It Is
MANAGING THE UNKNOWN
This shadow show was a highlight in our 2018 Spring Showcase of Raising The Curtain. It was in poignant sharing of the hard work and meaningful conversations that had occurred during the previous weeks of creative engagement. Participants were featured reading quotes from our conversations and manipulating the shadow puppets they worked to create. This film also includes a piece of music improvised by the participants. The performance included a wide range of participation, from working the projector, to reading aloud, to being seen “on screen.” Through these workshops we explored the research theme of Managing the Unknown, which became the title of the show.
ART CRAWL FILM – TIRED EYEBALLS
This film was created to showcase the work done during the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl. This song was written in collaboration with people living with dementia, using words from their stories created during the creative workshops prior to opening up Christenson Village to the public during the Art Crawl.
THE BUTTERFLY – POP UP STUDIO CREATION
During the weeks of creation at the Pop Up Studio, this mural was created by many of those participating and passing through. It grew and grew along with us and became an symbol of the project.
