Bag of Doings 2021
With a very small freelance team during Covid lockdown, we devised a practical solutions to keeping in touch with communities by developing a project called Bag of Doings. We took a paper carrier bag and filled it with everything that is needed to create a crafted object, inspired by the work of a well known artist. Each bag included printed instructions for those without access to the internet and also a link to a filmed demonstration that Strange Cargo produced, that shows a step by step tutorial to make the specific item using the materials supplied in the bag. We paid particular attention to eliminating as much plastic based material as possible and to create an outcome that was intended to have a longterm use.
We worked with some great partners to distribute the Bag of Doings safely within our local communities and successfully reached a diverse cross section of our local community. Each week, for a ten week period, we placed the carrier bags outside our building for people to collect, and through social media and partners Age UK, Women’s Refuge, Rainbow Foodbank, Martello Centre for Adults with Learning Difficulties and Chambers Coffee shop, our kits have successfully made it out of our workshop and into the homes of people of all ages and backgrounds.
Arts Council Cultural Recover Fund enabled this to happen and to keep the door open and a cultural offer available, free of charge, for participants to engage with.
We made increased use of social media and attracted new participants and a more diverse group of people.
The artists that inspired the Bag of Doings kits are:
§ Keith Haring – metal worked greetings card.
§ Frida Kahlo – Flower headband
§ Yinka Shonibare – Globe head glove puppet with African fabric
§ Anthony Gormley – Plasticine Angel of the South
§ Picasso – abstract paper self portrait
§ Peter Blake – badge medal
§ JMW Turner – sunset tie dye socks
§ James Turrell – Gel light catcher
§ Chris Orfili – Collage,mixed media board
§ Tracey Emin – applique slogan tea towel