Thread and Word’s project ‘A Different Lens’ has been selected for the second round of the Digital Culture Awards in their Digital Storytelling category. We’d like to say thank you to everyone who’s contributed to Thread and Word over the last couple of years. Throughout lockdown, opening up and locking down again, Thread and Word artists have been working hard in partnership with The Margate Bookie to bring our work to more people
A Different Lens is a collaborative project by twelve artists who co-created an interactive walking digital map of Margate in 2020. Each artist was asked to choose an author who is blind or became visually impaired during their lifetime. We asked our artists to create walking experiences that illustrates how storytelling makes the inaccessible accessible.
Located in Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, and Seasalter in Kent, our nine artists used their chosen author as a point of inspiration for their artistic adventures. You can share their stories, such as Amanda Jones’ at the Margate Harbour Arm or Diana Lane’s at Viking Bay, Broadstairs, on the geolocative map here.
We originally used locative media to widen access to the walking experience, enabling disabled artists to participate. However, lockdown and challenges of getting out and about meant that this co-creative experience shifted from being a hybrid experience to a completely digital one.
The criteria we were measured against, and considered to be a success for, were:
‘Use of digital for impactful storytelling to engage audiences. Achieved by
the use of one or several connected narratives across digital media
platforms with a strong audience-focused voice and story.’
The artists who contributed are
| Virginia Fitch | James Frost | Phoebe McIndoe | Clare Jackson |
| Amy Johnson | Amanda Jones | Diana Lane | William Lewis |
| Jack Lowe | Sonia Overall | Elspeth Penfold | Sara Trillo |
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Thread and Word and Margate Bookie acknowledges the sustaining impetus of creativity and the renewed interest in the health benefits of walking throughout the challenges of the pandemic
It has been a rollercoaster ride for us all, and it’s not over yet. Creativity and community projects have sustained us and will keep on doing so.
Thank you for supporting us!
The Digital Storytelling category longlist includes:
- Chinese Arts Now and Two Temple Place – CAN X Two Temple Place Digital Exhibition and Immersive Performance
- Dante or Die Theatre – User Not Found Video Podcast
- Everything is Music (A collaboration between Crack Magazine and Landmark) – Everything Is Music – a new location-based digital tour for mobile
- Extant – Flight Paths
- Focal Point Gallery and South Essex Homes – Contemporary Elders: Digital Connectivity
- Horniman Museum and Gardens – Afro Historyscapes
- M&C Saatchi x The Commonwealth War Graves Commission – CWGC – War Graves Week
- Manchester International Festival – MIF21 Online
- Rural Media – Rural Media’s Point of View Project
- The Margate Bookie – A Different LENS
- Wild Rumpus CIC – Sounds of the Forest
We’re proud to be included with so many incredible organizations and look forward to celebrating with you all.