New Media, Documentary Film and Art Education

A unique ‘light graffiti’ exhibition, which has been created entirely by disadvantaged youths from across the South East, will be showcased at the BFI on London’s Southbank next month.

Led by visual artist, Tine Bech, from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), and scientist Dr Kathryn Harkup, of the University of Surrey, young people from Hampshire, Kent and Surrey have been discovering a new way to explore youth culture – and challenge society’s perception of it – through the science and art of light.

The LightTAG project offered workshops in Southampton, Staines, Farnham, Guildford, Hounslow and Canterbury where participants were taught how coloured LED lights could create light drawings and animations through an innovative camera technique to produce vibrant pieces of art.
The scheme will reach its climax at a launch event at the BFI on 11 February 2011 before beginning a tour of galleries in the South East.

Tine Bech said: “LightTAG has been a fantastic experience for everybody involved. The young people who participated have created a really visually engaging project.

“One of the project goals is to show youth culture in a positive light and increase the visibility of young peoples’ voices, which I think we’ve achieved.”

LightTAG is a collaboration between UCA, the University of Surrey and the South East Physics Network (SEPnet). LightTAG worked with groups of young people who are either: care leavers; disabled; not in education; employment or training and who live within reach of SEPnet universities.

The project has enabled over 55 young people from six communities to build confidence and achievement through a unique science and media art collaboration.

Tine added: “We often forget that universities don’t just award degrees but connect with communities, with businesses and in this case with young people. We are not an exclusive community for the few, but engaging with society in many innovation ways – LightTAG is just one of them.”
Young people and the public will also have the opportunity to take part in a range of activities on the 12February, including an LED Throwie event at 5pm that will see hundreds of LEDs light up London’s skyline.

For more information visit: www.lighttag.wordpress.com; www.twitter.com/lighttag or search “LightTAG” on Facebook.