In The Future You Will See

Artist Nathan Hughes worked with five young women – Chelsie Hopes, Christine Perlini, Sadie Farqhuarson, Lamorna Stothard and Kaddy Faal, and art teacher Maggie Royle from November 2005 – June 2006. A moving image skills program was focused around Apple’s integrated suite of visual programs, and the concept of Time Capsule DVDs. This featured Big Brother-style interviews, a video survey to determine the influence of media stereotypes of young motherhood upon public opinion, and roving reports to find Mr Wrong and Mr Right.

The film ‘In The Future You Will See’ came about when Spike Island (www.spikeisland.org.uk) asked if a new piece of work might be developed from the cheeky, trusting relationship formed during the above activities; something that originated from the artist’s practice but also allowed a genuine collaboration from the young women. Hughes took the last supper, dinner conversation idea to the girls, and they insisted they dressed like the women in the Caravaggio paintings. If the group had not liked the idea, the artist would have gone back to the drawing board.

For Electric December 2006, Hughes collaborated with artists Duncan Speakman and Keri Deacon (deacon.kerry@googlemail.com). They suggested that we invited key members of the international video-blogging community to make new vlogs (video-blogs) in response to the original work.

Duncan Speakman

Duncan (duncanspeakman.net) uses live and recorded multimedia to create “re-mixed” walks around cities.

Nathan Hughes

nathanhues@mac.com
www.axisweb.org/seCVPG.aspx?ARTISTID=8701

Nathan Hughes is a mixed mode artist who plays with cinematic language and conventions to explore the relationship between the ordinary and the mythic, the epic and the everyday. He is a founder member of Bristol based maverick arts collective I Am The Mighty Jungulator – www.iamthemightyjungulator.com

He previously delivered innovative short workshops that involved young people in research and development of Jungulator software for Connexions West of Englands’ Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) scheme, in partnership with Watershed. As a result of experience gained through this, he sought opportunities to develop new work and relationships over longer timeframes. He was subsequently commissioned by Spike Island to undertake a residency at the Meriton Education and Support for Young Parents, Bristol.

Spike Island

Spike Island (www.spikeisland.org.uk) has established itself as a significant international centre combining working and exhibition space for the contemporary visual arts. Spike Island will be working with the Meriton in the coming two years to commission three further residencies.

The Meriton

The Meriton (www.the-meriton.co.uk) provides education, support, mentoring, information and advice to young mothers both pre and post 16.