Behind the Scenes- Inside out – A Global Art Project at the University of Brighton

Lola’s ‘Behind the Scenes’ project for her second year community engagement module was part of “Inside Out: The Global Art Project” a worldwide art movement dedicated to “transforming messages of personal identity into works of art”.

I chose this project for my second year community engagement module, to challenge the simplistic representation of Universities with logos. The aim of the project was to put faces on a few of the cogs (people) that enable the University to function and show appreciation for their work and contributions. I photographed cleaners, dinner ladies, students, admin workers, technicians, lecturers, student union staff, shopkeepers and librarians. Behind the scenes uses the medium of photography and calls on participants to “stand up for what they believe in” (JR: 2010). Each photographic sitting was an opportunity for participants to use her/his portrait as a means to communicate ideas and values to the rest of the university (and the world).

For example participants said: “Nowadays money speaks louder than politics”,“ Don’t stereotype me”, “ To my daughter, she is close to my heart”.

When I had 19 portraits, I applied to the Student Union to fund the printing of the posters. The posters measured 1m10 to 90cm and were pasted up with the help of friends on the gloomy brick walls of Watts building. Pasting the portraits outside is meaningful. I wanted to modify assumptions about art being precious and belonging in galleries. The pasting was done over night and had a surprise effect on the community of Moulsecoomb. The next morning smiling faces had appeared!

I believe this project was a success on the inside and out. I met people who the University relies on who beforehand were faceless. I photographed them and we exchanged ideas. The posters on the walls of Watts embellished the building, created a wider a sense of community’, and encouraged members of the university to recognize and respect these individuals. Behind the Scenes took art outside the gallery and made it accessible to anybody passing by. The project was very well received by lecturers, university employees, and students. I am grateful to all participants (many are not in the portraits) who made this endeavour come together. This project was rewarding and I hope to be able work again with photography, identity and communities to share meaningful ideas from the bottom, up.

Lola rose Odessey Waters

Insideout Project