{"id":654,"date":"2024-12-11T13:22:18","date_gmt":"2024-12-11T13:22:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/?p=654"},"modified":"2025-03-10T14:31:20","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T14:31:20","slug":"remembering-together","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journal.matchmyproject.org\/index.php\/2024\/12\/11\/remembering-together\/","title":{"rendered":"Remembering Together"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How Match My Project is helping create collaborative and creative spaces for local communities<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fierce Festival<\/a> is a festival of theatre, performance and experiences which takes place in and around Birmingham every two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, Fierce matched with Birmingham City University on Match My Project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From this collaboration, the perfect home for a specially commissioned participatory artwork was found.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Fierce
Photo credits: Manuel Vason, Softly\/Tenderly by Sheila Ghelani, Fierce Festival <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Softly\/Tenderly<\/a> is a participatory artwork by Sheila Ghelani<\/a> exploring the complicated history of gun-making and the metalworking practice within Birmingham but, as the name suggests, does so with care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Photo<\/figure>
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Through Match My Project, Birmingham City University and their partner, STEAMhouse<\/a>, provided technical support to manage the health and safety of the event, as well as the physical space and hospitality support for the artwork to take place.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Small groups, big conversations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hosted in small groups, those who experienced the work played a part in the manufacturing of a small precious metal object that they were allowed to keep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants made their own broaches and were gifted a specially made book by the artist about the history of gun making, the idea being for them to read this in the comfort of their own space. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Book
Photo credits: Manuel Vason, Softly\/Tenderly by Sheila Ghelani, Fierce Festival <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The artist explains the symbolic significance of these objects as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cA gift or totem to take away, acting (perhaps) as a gentle reminder of some of the better things industrious hands can get up to \u2013 many people making together being a nod towards some of Birmingham\u2019s more celebrated workshop industries, such as jewellery and toys<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A print illuminating Birmingham\u2019s role in its lesser talked about trade accompanied the work, allowing participants to engage with the heavier aspects of history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shows sold out across the Fierce Festival week, reaching around 100 audiences. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Participatory
Photo credits: Manuel Vason, Softly\/Tenderly by Sheila Ghelani, Fierce Festival <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Bridging Communities Through Creative Collaboration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This work is important because it created a space for people to engage with history in a gentler, more nuanced way\u2014transforming potentially difficult narratives into shared, creative experiences. It shows that, when we approach the past and present with care, curiosity, and creativity, we can forge pathways to a more inclusive and compassionate future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an increasingly politically polarised world, we at Match My Project are proud to play a part in bringing communities together.  This match demonstrates how collaborative approaches can bridge divides and create meaningful connections.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how you can get involved:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n