The Novas gallery Camden and Doncaster born Rachel Horne are delighted to present three polemical short films all exploring Horne’s identity as a miner’s daughter in Yorkshire. The socio-political films also chart the visual history of coal mining and the much discussed dramatic cultural shift away from the industry.

“Unity is the Key to the Future”. This emotive statement outlining the way to a better state of being was taken from the trade union banner that artist and curator Rachel Horne’s father and grandfather used to hold aloft and march under. The slogan referenced an era when the collective spirit of communities marched in unison to pursue social change, it is this era that Horne has explored and delved into through the medium of film.

Horne also uses this opportunity to discuss a campaign that has been discussed by commentators, national newspapers and is backed by some influential political figures and artists; an extensive list which includes Billy Bragg, Tony Benn, Mark Thomas, and Jeremy Deller, alongside 89 MP’s who have signed up to an Early Days Motion in Parliament. The campaign called ‘Re-Mapping the Cultural Terrain Campaign’, seeks to create a marking system that will reference the sites of former coalmines on Ordinance Survey Maps. Thus, creating a memorial tribute to the communities that lived and breathed off the coal mining industry.

The three short films that will be shown are:

Film 1: Man as Machine (3mins)

Archive footage revealing working conditions of coal mining during the 1930s. Sound track by Sonic Artists Ryan Jordan. Fusing together industrial sounds created via his laptop, referencing societies shift from industrial to technological the piece brings polarised worlds together

Film 2: The Out Of Darkness light Project (10mins)

Documents the 2006 memorial event marking the twentieth year since the closure of Cadeby Main Colliery in Doncaster South Yorkshire. 20 years after the closure of the local colliery, the event sore 410 lights placed on the collieries former pit-tip. The film contains speeches from local dignitaries as well as Trade Unionist Rodney Bickestaff. The event also marked the launch of the “Re-Mapping the Cultural Terrain Campaign”.

Film 3 : Mine the Notion (10mins)

Documenting the exhibition and talk that took place at the Foundry on Old Street, in August 2006 the film combines archive footage and poetry and traditional mining songs from Dave Douglass 1984 leader of the picketing miners’ and socialist poet Dennis Monhangan. The film documents the de-industrialisation of Cadeby Main Colliery, from the “winter of discontent” in 1972 to 1986 when the colliery was finally closed in 1986.

The event will be an opportunity for guests to view the Novas Gallery Camden’s current exhibition a group show of over 50 artists in a summer fair of affordable art. The event will also be an opportunity to discover more about the Novas Group a charitable organisation that promotes socio-political art and strives to facilitate social change through arts, social enterprise and community support.

ENDS

Contact Information:

Rachel Horne 07855492766
Novas Gallery 0207 267 5641

For further information about Novas contact:
Darren Asamoa on 020 7424 3021 or
Darren.asamoa@novas.org

About Novas
The novas gallery Camden is part of novas arts a subsidiary of the Novas Group, where we aim to change lives through arts, enterprise and support.

The novas group has developed a strong reputation for the delivery of quality housing and community-based services, and for new and innovative approaches to working with people who experience inequality, exclusion and discrimination.

More recently we are developing extensive work, learning, social enterprise and cultural services to support our core work and to match and stretch the diverse aspirations of the people we support.

novas arts is an evolving programme of creative expression for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities who seek to experience the transformative power of art. Through exhibitions, public art and educational programs we promote artistic exploration and appreciation; encourage community participation and growth; and provide opportunities for empowerment and social change.

Few social problems have had so visible a place on the urban landscape as homelessness and exclusion and novas arts’ mantra is dedicated to exposing broad and diverse audiences to its themes. A goal for novas arts is to provide a creative forum for participants to express their feelings and use their experiences to create better understanding of the themes and issues involved. Another goal is to help generate compassion for people who truly need and want help to change their lives and engage with the world around them.