Organised by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council www.C21.tv
Funded by the National Lottery
Residency managed by Action Factory Community Arts www.actionfactory.org
Host SAMS (Scrap Art Materials Store)

As part of the C21 programme of events a 3 month artist residency created the opportunity for artist Jac Scott to devise and deliver a series of creative activities that focused on contemporary culture in Asia and Blackburn.  This was one of suite of residencies leading up to the arrival of the Fukuoka Asian Art Triennial Exhibition at Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery in 2006.  The artist chose to contrast Chinese with British etiquette and food. 

The residency created time for both community work and for the artists own creative development.  Workshops were devised in consultation with the community groups and delivered at SAMS, to local schools, a home educators group and a group of homeless young people.  The activities were contextualized through a focus on the local waste strategy which included an informative tour by the borough waste officer of sites connected with the subject.  The creative outcomes from the groups included a series of wall murals inspired by food and utensils from China and Britain, made from waste collected at SAMS. 
From the outset it was deemed important by the artist that the work produced should have a life beyond the residency and that the artwork she would produce would not remain static, but be mobilised through dance.  Dance leader, Vicci Riley, was engaged to work with The India League Dance School to choreograph a performance that was inspired by Chinese dance and that would animate the sculptures.  The sculptures were also presented to the public through a series of encounters in public spaces in the town.  The process was documented by photographer Ian McManus.  The climax of the residency was a private view and dance performance at a Chinese restaurant.



Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery Collection

Background to development of the collection
The issue of waste management is of global concern.  One factor of primary importance is that of the individual’s perceived lack of responsibility towards their own waste.  This change of feeling towards a possession, once it is deemed unwanted, is a fascinating aspect of the human psyche.  It is interesting to consider that one of the main contributory factors to this irresponsible attitude is the accumulation of wealth.  Western cultures prosper and nurture the idea of materialistic hierarchies in society.  Maintaining a fashion focused consumption and the trend to buy new, rather then adopt a ‘make do and mend’ policy fuels the Western economy.  It is these factors that are in sharp contrast to the approach taken in poorer parts of the world.  In Asia recycling is operated mainly from economic necessity. It is a practice deeply embedded in the routine of daily life for the poor.  Salvaging rubbish to transform into domestic goods, toys or artifacts is a common activity.

Concept for the collection
The C21 Feast project was focused on food issues which were symbolised in the collection by eating utensils. 

In spite of the unprecedented range and abundance of food available in Britain today the quality of diet adopted by many has led to a dramatic rise in obesity.  In contrast, many parts of Asia suffer from low food supplies and poor quality produce.  The aim of the collection is to illustrate these concepts through form, material and construction.