Urban Art Beats - Peckwater and Torriano Estates

As part of the Young Voices programme in 2003, Rise Phoenix offered a six-week art and theatre residency on two local estates which had little youth arts provision.

The focus of the project was to explore the theme of "Urban Identity and Street Theatre".

The participants had the opportunity to explore their personal identity through a variety of mediums, which included video and drama, street dance, acrobatics, rap poetry and percussion music.

Using body sculpting to create letters and shapes, images were produced which translated from physical movement into personal logos on paper. Each child then fabric -painted their logo onto their own t-shirt, which featured the rap poem they had composed on the back.

Finally, a street-theatre performance was choreographed and shown by each group in Rise Phoenix's theatre space, in early May.

The project brought children together who would not usually meet up on their estate.

To see the outcome, click here
Torriano group / Peckwater group

Responses on feedback forms:
I found out, that I'm not at all shy of performing
I learned how to be more confident
We learned how to express new ideas and how to put them into action

Poem from Catherine

I am Marilyn Manson
And I scan my Pockets for pink pennies
usually unsuccessfully
I stalk Penguins and talk african to them
My paintings are in the Tate (Me eating chicken curry)
But I leave on Thursday many are happy
I hope to die holding a parachute
so I can kidnap Tony Blair.