#makingthemuseumofmaking coproduction

[derbysilkmill]

Red Saunders’ Hidden Project - The casting!

A weekend of measuring, chatting and custard creams.

Over the weekend of Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st of March, ‘The Hidden Project’ saw almost 170 people (and Rolo the dog) come forward to be measured and photographed for a chance to be cast in Red Saunders’ ‘Hidden Project’ here in Derby.

Saturday

Saturday was an early start at the Silk Mill! Armed with cameras, tape measures, biscuits and a lot of enthusiasm, project volunteers arrived at 9am ready to greet Derby’s hopeful candidates. Abby, Lauren and Rico -Media Students from the University of Derby - took all the casting photographs over the weekend and worked solidly over the two days. 

Volunteers Andy, Ruth and Emma were always around to provide a warm welcome, whilst Laura, Alice, Rebecca and I stepped outside our comfort zone, grabbed a measuring tape and took on the task of taking people’s measurements. Thanks to the brilliant tutelage of Tim Heywood from Derby Theatre, we soon got into the swing of things. As Alice commented ‘It is not often you spend a Saturday afternoon running a measuring tape round perfect strangers without someone asking questions about your behaviour...!’. Thankfully, all the people we measured were brilliant and accommodating – thank you everyone!

One of the project photographs will be set at Rolls-Royce and it was wonderful to see so many employees of past and present attend the casting; whole families arrived to get involved! One person, who has lived in Derby and worked for Rolls-Royce for 8 years, commented that Derby had become ‘home to our newly expanded family and not just a place to stay for work’.

Talking to people throughout the day, it was clear that many wanted to be involved as a way to celebrate the City of Derby. It was a way to feel connected to Derby for many, whilst others wanted to feature in Red’s work to become part of the city’s history themselves, leaving an image of them within the museum. One person revealed that, for them, it was about bringing ‘back to life forgotten moments from the history of the people.’ Furthermore, there was a sense of putting Derby’s heritage firmly on the history map.

‘Derby has such wonderful heritage and I’m proud of our city.’

‘... too often we forget the great role Derby was playing in our national story and the Hidden project gives the chance for local people to celebrate this...’

‘Taking part in something that records Derbyshire’s really rich and important industrial heritage would be a privilege.’

Phew! We were all getting really excited by such brilliant responses at ‘Hidden’ HQ. We didn’t think it could get any better... and then came Rolo the dog. As the only canine participant, Rolo stole the show. He was brilliant in front of camera and was more than happy to receive the vast amounts of fuss bestowed upon him whilst his owner was photographed too.

The afternoon, though quieter, was just as exciting and varied. Emma, one of the super volunteers, did an amazing job of spreading the word on the streets of Derby and many people turned up ad hoc to spend a slice of their sunny afternoon with us. We ended the day tired but happy. We had photographed, measured, chatted, and listened all day and now we were ready to pack down ready for tomorrow. Oh yes, and as volunteers we also suspect we set a world record for consumption of custard creams!

Sunday

Allenton, you did not disappoint us! Our second day of casting was at St Martin’s Church & Community Centre. Everyone there was really welcoming and looked after us brilliantly – we were really grateful! Thank you!

‘To be honest, I didn't know what to expect but I had a feeling in my gut that I had to take part and I'm so glad that I followed my gut instinct.’ – commented Ann, a brand new volunteer. We were chuffed that she, together with Lottie and Sue, chose Mother’s Day to take care of all the excited participants.

Sunday saw several people who were involved with UNITE come forward to be involved. This added another perspective to the relevance of this project to Derby. People told us that one of their key reasons for involvement was that, as a social activist, they identified with the history behind the project. Another commented ‘It reminds us that things that we give for granted, such as a 5-days week at work, are achievements reached thanks to people fought before we were born.’ As someone who had not previously been aware of the national importance of events such as ‘The Lockout’ at Derby Mills (one of the settings for Red’s work,) I really began to feel the ‘hidden’ nature of the history we are dealing with through this project. Although I became a volunteer because of my interest in projects that fuse history and art in general, I found my connection to the project changing and becoming much more rooted to Derby itself.

For some, it really was all about trying something new and seeing how they could contribute. With no doubt, there was a strong sense of belonging and wanting to see what each individual could bring to the whole. As one person remarked ‘I bring me, a bit wrinkly but a real person.’

That, it would seem to me, is the best contribution. Thank you, Derby!

We are hoping to let people know about those selected to the production by the end of April. Keep an eye out on our blog for further insights into production week!

By Claire Roe - Volunteer assisting the Hidden Project 

[derbysilkmill]

Derby company Smith of Derby has been helping the Museum of Making project by restoring a clock with their apprentices. See the full article here https://www.derbymuseums.org/news/apprentices-restore-historic-clock-for-the-new-museum-of-making