ICCE has just been joined by Claire Cooke who will lead the professional practice modules in BA Art Management. Below she discusses her recent experience curating To Make A Record an oral history exhibition in Kingston Upon Thames
To Make A Record is the public exhibition of Kingston RPM: Records People, Music – an oral history project that documents local residents involvement with the music industry as producers, factory workers and consumers between 1942 and 1979. As Heritage Lead on this exciting, multi-platform project I have been responsible for developing the initial idea to uncover and celebrate three key periods in Kingston’s music history: the stationing of American Soldiers during (and after) World War II at Camp Griffiss and the music they brought with them, the presence of Decca Records and its processing plant in New Malden and the network of pubs, clubs and venues that were home to innovators of jazz, r&B and rock ‘n’ roll – including The Toby Jug where David Bowie launched The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars.
In order to chart an accessible path through these potentially disparate and complex subjects I decided to focus the exhibition on the vinyl record ; as an item of entertainment and exchange for the American GIs, as what was made and developed at Decca (the British label pioneered the use and circulation of LPs) and as reflective of the growing ‘gig’ culture of 1950s-70s which offered greater opportunities to make and see live music. It was also clear – working with oral history and therefore capturing memories – that a focus on locality and site would bind together stories and events that may not otherwise have a public record.
Once we had agreed this theme, the team set about collecting the oral histories on which the exhibition was based with a dedicated group of volunteers, an exhibition designer was engaged, memorabilia collected and practicalities discussed with the venue including what physical space is available – and what else will be there for the duration of the exhibition? What are the opening hours? Who’s in charge of maintenance? Audiences – how do we cater for both those who ‘stumble across’ it or make a specific journey to visit? What elements of the exhibition should be participatory ? All of these factors have an impact on the final show and its production . Press and marketing are also crucial to build that audience, as is an evaluation framework to gain feedback to develop future projects onsite.
Kingston RPM has been produced by Creative Youth (www.creativeyouthcharity.org) – a charity which supports youth people to reach their potential through the arts and are originators the annual International Youth Arts Festival (www.iyafestival.org.uk) – with funding secured through Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council England and Royal Borough of Kingston. The project was an opportunity to bring Kingston’s rich music heritage to the fore and contextualise Creative Youth’s support of emerging artists, performers and musicians in the area.
To Make a Record is just one of Kingston RPM’s heritage outcomes: we still need to collect additional oral histories, develop further our team of volunteers skills, ensure the testimonies are in an appropriate format for the Kingston History Centre to add to their collection and create an education resource. There is also a record day, record fair and album release to come.
To Make a Record is open daily at The Rose Theatre Kingston until September 9th
Record Day is 8th July @ The Rose Theatre. More info here: www.iyafestival.org.uk