Though we have seen the last of the ‘A View from Here’ performances, the spectacle is far from over
Blog by Anna Cheung, Volunteer Blogger
So that was it. After months of dedicated preparation and participation from a hive of enthusiastic participants through numerous creative workshops, ‘A View from Here’ finally reached the first pinnacle of all the energetic work invested on the project.
The long awaited promenade-style exhibition, the visual arts and performances held in the high rise flats in the Gorbals and Knightswood from 22–30 November finally arrived and passed, and my role as volunteer blogger for the project was to capture into words the thriving network of activities at 240 Lincoln Avenue, Knightswood, Glasgow.
Entering Knightswood
As we stood at the bottom of the towering high rise blocks at 16:30, our group were greeted by the friendly community contributor, Julie Gill, who introduced us to a brief history of the Knightswood flats and her own background living in the area. We were then quickly ushered into the warmth of the downstairs foyer where we took the lift up to the exhibition/performance taking place on the 11th floor. Stepping out of the lift into the hallway, the group were immediately shown a film and audio collage which gave us an insight into the fear experienced by asylum seekers during dawn raids carried out in the area. The impact of the film was all the more harrowing considering the proximity of the broadcast as we were standing on the same block where the victims had been evicted from their own homes.
A humbling experience
When the film ended, we were invited into the flat itself. Volunteers directed us towards the living room where Noreen Real (Scotswoman of the Year 2008 for her anti-dawn raid activism in the neighbourhood) and Carrie Newman (Director of Performance) sat waiting for us. There was a moment of silence as we surveyed the community artwork and photography on the walls.
Then Noreen put down her newspaper and told us a story. It was a story of injustice to human rights, of triumph over adversity, of friendship and love. We listened, and I felt both engrossed and humbled by the brave and tireless plight of the community to remain as one strong unit together.
Afterwards, we entered ‘Paria’s Room’. Creative artworks were displayed around the room, which included photographs taken she had of the high-rise views from her own flat. An audio recording narrated Paria’s asylum journey while she sat quietly in the room demonstrating the techniques of her intricate print work using acrylic paints and fabric on the table.
We were then led to ‘Farbod’s Room’. Inside it consisted of a single armchair, a small table and a three-bar electric heater. Farbod Safari sat alone in an armchair, in a woolly hat and thin jumper, bracing himself against the cold. Just as the group were absorbing the desolate bleakness of the room, Farbod stood up and told us his story of the daily anguish and frustration in the living quarters to which he had been assigned to as an asylum seeker. It was an unforgettable performance, which will stay with me for a long time.
The next steps
The performance ended in a celebration with balloons, tea, sandwiches, biscuits and dancing to the backdrop of a piano performance by Julie Gill. As a dedication to nostalgia, it couldn’t have been a more fitting celebration as it was done in the style of the children’s gala parties held there in the past.
And as film director, Basharat Khan’s camera rolled to a close; all smiles, confetti and fond memories of the local community and ‘A View from Here’ participants were encapsulated together on film forever.
So fear not, if you have missed out on the live performances. The film documentary project will be ready for Refugee Week Scotland 2014, and the exhibitions from both the Gorbals and Knightswood are going to move in to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum during the June celebrations
I, for one, can’t wait. Meanwhile you can check out all Iman Tajik’s images from the project on Pinterest and Flickr.
