Culture Shock project captures North East stories

Feb 9 2010 by Liz Walker, The Journal

HUNDREDS of personal stories of life in the North East today have been captured for future generations in a new collection of memories.

The stories have been created as part of Culture Shock – a two-year museum project which will collect 1,000 stories from people across the region by the end of September – making it the largest digital storytelling project in the world.

The personal accounts cover topics from life-changing experiences, childhood memories, health and hobbies, to football, fear, food and travel.

They include tales as diverse as memories from local shipyards, reflections of living with bipolar disorder and even how someone fell asleep in an open grave.

Oliver Woodhall talks about his famous ancestor, Geordie Ridley, who penned the anthem The Blaydon Races and his connection to a famous painting at the Shipley Art Gallery.

A little girl called Anfaal tells of her family’s journey from Yemen to Gateshead and Mary Dodd celebrates the Geordie language in her poetry.

The collection is now on show at the Great North Museum: Hancock in Culture Shock: An exhibition of Digital Stories by People in the North East.

Iain Watson, assistant director at Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums, said: “Culture Shock is currently the largest digital storytelling project in the world and it is based right here in the North East capturing our region’s heritage for future generations to enjoy.

“Culture Shock stories give us a great chance to see the North East through other people’s eyes and this new exhibition is a fantastic introduction for our visitors to the exciting array of stories which have been created so far.”

Digital stories are films based on a memory or experience and are made up of pictures, sound, moving image or animation. They usually last two or three minutes. The tales are available to view in the exhibition on a large scale projection, in a cinema-style area and even by choosing the ones you want to view online.

Lisa Jeffries, Culture Shock project coordinator, said: “We think it is important that visitors to the exhibition can view the stories in a number of different ways to see the eclectic mix of stories available.

“Visitors can also join online discussions about a particular story or find out more about the object that inspired it.”

As well as the collection of local stories, the exhibition also features the museum objects that have inspired them, stills and photos used in the storytelling.

Ms Jefferies added: “We hope that by capturing these memories we are enabling future generations to learn about people living in the North East today and make museums more relevant to their lives.”

There will also be an events programme running alongside the exhibition and will include talks from participants, workshops and children’s activities.

:: The whole collection can be viewed at www.cultureshock.org.uk

Video 1: 'Time To Come Out' by Steven Adamson. This story is about a young man coming out to his Dad.

Video 2: This second video is 'Paperbag' by Paul Testo. Paul's story takes us on a journey through him dealing with his mental health issues and how his medication makes him feel.

Video 3: This story is entitled 'A Time That Changed My Life' by Rita Holmes. Rita's story is about being conscripted into the ATS during World War II and how this changed her.