William Titley
Northside DIY Artists' Book 2004
'014260' is the title of a DIY artists book celebrating the huge success of the Northside New Media project in Workington, Cumbria, UK.
The title refers to the physical distance the artist travelled to deliver weekly digital imaging workshops at Northside Community Centre. The title also reminds us of the distance travelled by all participants in terms of the learning experience.
With a totally organic approach to the delivery of the workshops, much of the content was identified by the participants, most of whom had no IT experience. With an age range between 23yrs and 73yrs, the group began enhancing family photos while learning to get to grips with setting up and running a digital imaging station: consisting of a laptop, printer, scanner and digital camera.
They soon began designing and producing their own T-shirts and after visiting major art galleries in the North of England they had a couple of local exhibitions of their own work.
Developing a real thirst for learning, the group went on to design an accredited digital imaging course, which, needless to say, they all passed with flying colours.
There were plenty of celebrations throughout the time spent in the windowless community centre on Northside in Workington and the effects of the project are still being felt in Cumbria. With members enrolled on further education courses at local colleges, finding employment, all the participants are part of the 'life-long learning' experience.
The DIY Artists book was influenced directly by the group and includes suggestions on what music to listen to and which beverages to drink while constructing the work. The book contains wonderful digital works on transparent pages with feedback/poetry and is a true extension of the 'Life-Long Learning' ethos and with a limited edition of just 200, a real collectors' piece.
Dimensions:
Kit form: 30 x 12.5cm
Constructed: 11 x 15 x 3cm