SamiArt &
The Silk Road
Community Art Project
The Beginning
I was approached by Sutton’s Community Arts Officer, Victoria Nunn, to provide a creative activity that would encourage participation, something everyone could be involved with for the launch of the Imagine Arts Festival in the High Street on Saturday 17 May 2008 – Sunday 1 June.
I thought about hand & foot print paintings but it would be a logistical nightmare cleaning everyone’s hands & feet. All I felt when I sensed into the idea was a feeling of length. Nothing more sprang from heart to mind so I went about my business & trusted that inspiration would follow.
So it was that one morning I headed down the High St, on my way to buy paints for the Future Present art project when an old saying about the solution often being right under your nose, popped into my head. I looked down & I saw my feet on the road & looked up & took in this view of the great long road that is Sutton High Street & I’m filled with inspiration. It’s really quite something when you take a moment to stop & look. So, the great long road....paint a long road, ah, paint
‘The Silk Road’
A Little Bit About ‘The Silk Road’
Historically the Silk Road was a trade route running through Eurasia about 2 thousand years ago along which goods were traded from silk to ceramics & everything between. It brought with it the spread of religion & played a crucial role in shaping the Worlds development as people from East to West began for the first time to share, inspire & communicate their ideas, innovations & cultures with each other.
Communicate, inspire, share, participate
The theme of the Festival this year is all about celebrating & participating in the arts & this, briefly, is what happened next....
The Silk Road, Part 1, at Barbara’s, somewhere in Sutton, on an overcast day, Sunday 4 May.
Here we go! The kids get busy creating design templates.
Having prepared some ideas it was time for Barbara to map out the framework of The Silk Road...and here she comes now......
.....armed with gutta & dangerous! The first 5m of The Silk Road is underway. The ‘gutta’ is a liner which resists the silk paints allowing creation of a design prior to the addition of the paint which is water based and spreads deliciously through the fabric. Hence the need for the resist! But there was no resistance in adding the details – tracing designs or going with the flow – it took about 3 hours and all took part from the youngest, 3 to the oldest, over 60. Still time for a great lunch with the food we’d brought to share. Splendid! And what a mix of cultures! German, Italian, Palestinian, Macedonian, Kosovan & English! There was plenty to natter about!
The Silk Road Part 2, Sunday 11 May
Here’s Ingrid, ready to make her mark to the next 5m, adding a touch of glamour along the way. This time we’re at Sutton Court Estate, in the garden, the breeze cooling the heat of the day as we shelter under the trees. The communities’ kids have been asked to bring some food along & Paolo is preparing the barbecue.
The community police drop by on their rounds and are happy to see kids & all participating and aim to attend the Imagine Festival Launch with their own kids & add some colour to The Silk Road Super intention!
Hana, 7 months pregnant (but not from this angle!) scribing a message onto The Silk Road, speaking of light, love & harmony..communication is key to development. Communicating with your heart through creativity, ahh, peace!
The cultural mix just keeps on growing with Jamaica & Persia added for good measure.
Everyone taking part has a great session & 3 hours later, barbecue ready, we can sit & soak up the rays, relaxing as the kids, fed & watered, play & the gutta dries.
The Silk Road, The Mayor & Sutton Arts Council AGM
At the Arts Council AGM, the Silk Road had its first spontaneous & official public viewing in front of say 20 people including the Mayor & Councillor Tope. It was a special moment & it was great to share – inspirational!
While all this has been happening, Paolo, the chef, also musician, music producer & dj, aka Mr Peace, has been busy preparing for the day & will provide a musical backdrop to painting The Silk Road, with Bongo rhythms from Loz & guests The Alchemist & Dj G all taking part in creating the sounds of creativity!! www.MrPeace.org
Saturday 17 May, Sutton High St – outside main St Nicholas centre entrance
The day has dawned & at the last minute we’ve bought a gazebo to protect us & the silk from the drizzle. By 1pm we are all ready, the music is playing and the first 3 or 4 people have brushes in their hands, paints in their jam jar lids & colour on the silk. I move a table, fill up the water, answer a phone call & then look up. There are people of all ages around The Silk Road with paint being dib dib dabbed all over the silk. It’s a jaw dropping moment for me that rapidly spreads into a warm smile. What a delightful sight to see so many participate, our aim had been fulfilled! A special thank you to Mr Peace & friends who created a fantastic atmosphere to work with ensuring the sun shone in spite of the rain!
Samia Tossio
Copyright 2008
World Rights Reserved
