25 May 2010
Student aims to raise 'commun-i-tea' spirit
Wars have been fought over it. It played an iconic role in the American War of Independence. Now a student from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design is exploring how the power of tea can be harnessed to create community spirit.
Interior Environmental Design student Sarah Griffiths (37), whose work is currently being exhibited at this year’s Dundee Degree Show, has been exploring issues of community, place and belonging through a project called 'Commun-i-tea' which involved, among other things, the hosting of Guerrilla tea parties.
Sarah (37), of Broughty Ferry, quizzed residents in Dundee about where good examples of community can be found in their city through a series of al fresco interventions where she engaged with the locals - often after bribing them with the offer of a free cuppa.
After designing a portable tea trolley to take around Dundee, she would set up by the side of the road and invite passersby’s to stop for a cuppa and a chat. This was developed into 'Commun-i-tea' where tea was used as a starting point to gather thoughts and opinions about community in different ways. The trolley was also taken on tour to a number of other locations, such as Pitenweem, where it was used to gauge opinions about community spirit in other areas.
A more portable version of the tea trolley, the tea-toolbox, was attached to lampposts so people could grab a quick cuppa and jot their views on community on the teabag wrapper which was pinned to the lamppost with a magnet - for others to see.
Sarah also left Commun-i-tea camera kits around Dundee - at benches, bus stops and railings - which asked people to photograph the things that represent community to them. She also made small booklets, with a free tea bag included, which I again left in odd places around town. The resulting study of the local community is now on display as part of Sarah’s exhibit at this year’s Dundee Degree Show.
'The returned photographs and booklets are on display in my show,' explained Sarah. 'The majority of views gathered displayed a really positive outlook about community spirit in Dundee.
'The reason I chose tea as a means of exploring community is because the obsession with tea is such a British peculiarity. It is a staple of community life in this country. It’s a light-hearted way of getting across a serious message - that there needs to be public spaces where people can come together and be a community.
'This is a study of where, in Dundee, has a real sense of community, and what people feel is missing from their local areas. The responses I received were very interesting and ranged from pubs to poker clubs to shops to churches - these were places that identified as being important to their community.'
The responses have helped inform Sarah’s study of how the urban environment can be designed to generate a real feeling of community togetherness. Another strategy she employed was the Commun-i-tea map.
She took the tea trolley out along with a map of Dundee and asked people to mark places or activities that strengthen community, whilst also suggesting ideas for things that might be lacking in Dundee that would be beneficial in terms of community spirit.
The Degree Show will see Sarah present her findings and allow visitors to add their views on the project. Sarah’s exhibit uses sound, visuals and drawing to communicate her findings, as well as objects such as cups, boxes and books.
Part of the show includes a video montage of the pictures that participants sent in, as well as the scene from a typical tea room window as the world is watched going by.
After graduating, Sarah is hoping to undertake a Master in Design course looking at urban architecture, in particular allotments and where in Dundee would be suitable for new city growing projects.
The Tea Appreciation Society have lent their full support to Sarah’s work to revitalise communities using their favourite tipple.
Notes to editors:
Dundee Degree Show
22nd - 30th May 2010 (Preview May 21st)
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design
University of Dundee
13 Perth Road
Dundee DD1 4HT
T 01382 385330
E exhibitions@dundee.ac.uk
www.dundee.ac.uk/djcad/degreeshow/
Exhibition open:
Saturday, May 22nd (10am-4pm)
Sunday, May 23rd (10am-4pm)
Monday, May 24th (10am-8pm)
Tuesday, May 25th (10am-8pm)
Wednesday, May 26th (10am-8pm)
Thursday, May 27th (10am-8pm)
Friday, May 28th (10am-8pm)
Saturday, May 29nd (10am-4pm)
Sunday, May 30th (10am-4pm)
Graduate work on display:
Animation
Art, Philosophy & Contemporary Practices
Fine Art
Graphic Design
Illustration
Interior Environmental Design
Interactive Media Design
Jewellery & Metal Design
Product Design
Textile Design
Time Based Art & Digital Film
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
