What Is the Future If It Is Not Ours To See?

In 2004 Nicola was invited to be Artist in Residence at Charlton Special School, a Group 6 Community Special (8-19) school, whose students have a wide range of special needs. Using Digital Video and imaging resources introduced by the school as part of a CD Profile project, she worked with students to explore self-image through filming and interviews.

Screen grab from What Is The Future If It Is Not Ours To See / Nicola Lane /2005

Nicola writes:

"I began with a group of students working in pairs, interviewing each other and filming their faces and bodies in close-up. Framing the shots in extreme close-up helps to overcome issues with body image and privacy. Fragmenting of the face explores feelings that can confront us as disabled people when photographed or filmed, issues of identity imposed by the reactions of others."

"I juxtaposed the students’ close-up footage of each other’s eyes and lips to create a split-screen DV portrait, with a soundtrack edited from their interviews. The title is a quote from one of the students."

All images screen grabs from What Is The Future If It Is Not Ours To See / Nicola Lane /2005

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