Pupils worked with artists Tony Knox and Lisa Barry, during a 16-day residency and produced work from ideas related to Superheroes.

Planning for the Residency

For the duration of the residency dates Tony Knox and Lisa Barry researched and developed in conjuction with the teachers and students at De La Salle School a creative programme on the theme of a Superhero :

The programme was planned to:

• Introduce the students to a range of media and technology in digital video, performance and combined arts.

• Introduce the students to contemporary arts through the practice of the Artists in residence and furthermore the art produced by the Internationals of the Liverpool Biennial 2006. This would enable and set a fundamental insight of art today, for the students to explore contemporay art imbueing a comparative content to the theme of 'the Superhero' in terms of concept and context.

• To expand the students  understanding with internet research and expand their knowledge of other similar art forms through art history.

• Encourage the students to express their insight of what constitutes a Superhero in postmodern life and explore through a range of media and modes of expression. This is combined with discussions of identity and various forms of Superhero.

Example of workshop activity:
Using paper bags, students will make simple masks with photographs of their faces, worked over with art materials.

Making use of a game - ‘Fortunately Unfortunately’, the participants will build up a scenario of events which examine the positive/negative alternating elements of creating narrative. This will be useful later when discussing hero/anti-hero.

Students will learn how to draft a quick storyboard using the lining paper and marker pens. Scenes will be discussed from the game and marked on the paper, and students will work in groups to make short drama sketches based around the favourite scenes from the storyboard. One student will have the opportunity to direct. Sessions will be filmed at certain points and all material can be collated later as part of the final piece.

The body of the residency will compile of the following elements:

• Creating digital camera stills.
• Using computers to work on image manipulation
• Experimenting with narrative form.
• Making video using various events during the residency, including drama and interventions, and also experiencing the different roles required to make films (actor, director, writer, sound, post production).
• Creating the Superhero using personal identity.
• Gaining insight into their own processes of making work and the various artist forms that can be utilised in contemporary art
• A rare opportunity to showcase work in the Biennial and at the 5athegallery.

The aims are, by October 20th, to have the following:

2 films of 3-4 minutes duration each for the BBC Big Screen.

Work for installation at 5athegallery, various forms.

On 31st October the opening event will have the Halloween theme. Apart from the actual work installed, there will be bob apples and apples hung from string in another area, which brings an element of English traditional Hallows Eve (rather than the American trick or treat import). This also gives the students a chance to dress in costume, and brings a folktales/myths and legends element to the event.

On-going project work to be implemented for the duration of the year.