Big Village – Digital, is a project that builds a manifesto for action to support the development of global majority performance makers.
As part of the UK/Australia 2021-22 season with British Council Australia, Upswing launched Big Village – Digital, a series of short films and online conversations from global majority circus artists in the UK and Australia.
The Artiscape spoke with Artistic Director Vicki Dela Amedume.
Can you tell us about “Big Village – Digital?
Big Village – Digital is an online collaboration between 6 global majority-led companies from across the UK and Australia. We selected these companies because they pioneer new modes of articulation and expression using populist art forms like circus and cabaret that challenge colonial and class-based notions of art. Led by Upswing (UK) and Circus Casus (Australia) the 6 companies have been regularly meeting online to form an informal support network where we can share our ideas and experiences and put together a manifesto of action for the future. Our online conversations have been building up to a public conversation online on Tuesday 22 March where we will share our experiences and learning and put forward this shared manifesto.
How did this project come about?
Natano Fa’anana (Casus Circus) and I met for a coffee during my trip to Australia in 2019 and we both realised that our experiences as global majority circus artists and artistic leaders were largely similar. We were keen to continue the discussion and bring in other global majority voices from the circus and cabaret community. Upswing applied for funding from The British Council to deliver a digital project as part of the UK/Australia Season 2022 and through this funding we’ve been able to further the conversation we started three years ago and bring in more artists to take part.
What are the aims of this project?
We wanted to provide a safe space for artists and creatives to share their experiences as global majority artists and companies working in circus, cabaret and ballroom. Our online event on 22 March is for anyone interested in the potential of these art forms, and we’re hoping that other artists, venues, and producers will join us online to hear about our learning. We’re keen to engage artists and producers who want to understand how artists and creatives in this space can be supported to thrive and make incredible work.
What were the challenges in putting this together?
Obviously the time zone differences presented significant challenges. Our conversations took place in the early morning in the UK and in the evening in Australia so we had to do some careful scheduling. The pandemic is still ongoing and all 6 companies are constantly exploring new ways of working with their artists and continuing to engage with their communities whilst Covid-19 restrictions come and go. We’re all busy companies producing work so it’s also been challenging to find the time to meet online, however the time that we have allocated to these online conversations has been hugely valuable and we’ve been able to build a supportive and inclusive community.
What can an audience expect from the short films?
The short films will give the audience an introduction to the artistic aims of each company by showcasing some of their work. If you watch these short films you’ll see the range and variety of the creative work produced by the 6 companies involved in this project. Big Village Digital is the first record of this kind of collaboration, showcasing the innovative work of 6 global majority-led companies. All the films can be viewed at Big Village Digital — Upswing
What are the aims of the online conversations?
The online conversations were a chance for the 6 companies to share their experiences and to form a support network whilst developing a manifesto outlining what is needed to support and develop global majority artists and companies across the arts. This manifesto will be shared during the public event on Tuesday 22 March at 9am GMT/ 7pm QLD/ 8pm AEDT. Tickets are free and you can register here: Big Village Digital: Sharing the Past – Developing the Future Registration, Tue 22 Mar 2022 at 09:00 | Eventbrite
How do you feel this can be developed further?
We feel that there is real potential for these conversations to develop into some kind of physical performance collaboration, perhaps a UK/Australian global majority-led show featuring all 6 companies. We’re excited to see what might happen next.
Big Village – Digital
A series of short films and online conversation from global majority circus artists in the UK and Australia
Part of the UK/Australia 2021-22 season with British Council Australia
Digital Film Premiere 9th March 10.30am (GMT) 9.30pm (AEST) available here
Curated Conversation 22nd March 9am (GMT) 7pm (AEST)
@upswingaerial | #BigVillageDigital | upswing.org.uk
