Talking Difference Blog
14 May, 2012 15:38 by Sarah
On the 7th of May Shaun Tan and I ran the second set of comic-drawing workshops with year 6 students from St Albans Primary School. The workshops were held in the theaterette at the Imigration Museum and students participated in a live reading of Shaun Tan’s story “Eric” and discussed themes of belonging, difference and identity.
Students then participated in both a comic discovery trail through the Museum and a cultural walk along Sandridge Bridge followed by comic-drawing workshops, where they drew their own stories.
Sarah Firth illustration of a comic workshop with students
Image: Sarah Firth
Source: Sarah Firth
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10 May, 2012 16:46 by Sarah Firth
On the 1st of May Adi Firth and I ran our first comic-drawing workshops with Bourchier St Primary School’s year 5/6 students. The children were energetic and enthusiastic and we had an excellent discussion with them about cultural issues and commonalities.
Us getting just a little bit excited about the day ahead
Image: Sarah Firth
Source: Sarah Firth
The students drew comics on subjects such as bullying, hobbies, belonging, losing family members and the value of friendship. I was particularly touched by one boy who bravely drew a comic about losing his father, and explained his subsequent bullying and emotional stress he is dealing with.
Sarah with the class
Image: Sarah Firth
Source: Sarah Firth
Adi and I would like to than Helen and Danny Ryan, and Tasman the dog, for having us to stay at their lovely house in Shepparton!
Student drawing at Bourchier Street Primary School in Shepparton
Image: Sarah Firth
Source: Sarah Firth
Adi Firth facilitating a comic workshop at Bourchier Street Primary School in Shepparton
Image: Sarah Firth
Source: Sarah Firth
Students Drawing
Image: Sarah Firth
Source: Sarah Firth
Mission Accomplished
Image: Sarah Firth
Source: Sarah Firth
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13 October, 2011 10:34 by Dave
“I was proud of my colour as long as I was in my place of birth … but then when I came to Australia in 2010 my daily experiences in the community has compelled me to think that there’s something wrong with this colour.” Ash, Talking Difference Portable Studio
Three-legged and felt covered, the Talking Difference Portable Studio landed in Sunshine in September. Ash was one of the people who stepped inside to record his thoughts about culture, racism and diversity.
Click here to watch this video with a transcript
Ash and other Sunshine library visitors created a series of beautiful responses spanning culture, language, music and all things in between.
The guiding questions were created by young people in Brimbank in a series of workshops with Museum Victoria. We dropped their work onto the touch screen at the heart of the Portable Studio and over two weeks visitors to Sunshine library could create audio, text, videos and drawings using the studio’s high definition camera. The results were startling. From beatboxing, to multilingual counting, Auslan signing, singing and couples reminiscing. And it is all just beginning.
Here's another example from the Studio:
Click here to watch this video with a transcript
If you would like to check it out and make your own work using the Portable Studio visit Sydenham Library during opening hours until 23 October. From there the studio tours Brimbank Libraries and the Immigration Museum between now and the end of the year.
Tour Dates:
10–23 October
Sydenham Library
Station Street, Watergardens Town Centre
Taylors Lakes
31 October–11 November
Immigration Museum
400 Flinders Street, Melbourne
14–27 November
Deer Park Library
Corner of Neale and Station Roads, Deer Park
If you would like to respond to the questions yourself, feel free to make a comment below or head to the Portable Studio facebook page to upload video or pictures.
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3 June, 2011 09:55 by Dave
VASS short film from Vessal Safaei on Vimeo.
Check out this great film made by Vessal Safaei with Victorian Arabic Social Services (VASS). It documents an amazing program VASS ran last year with young people from Arabic backgrounds.
Workshops in public speaking, art and rap all came together to build confidence and skills with incredible results.
It makes me wonder, when was the last time you did something that gave you more confidence to stand up for yourself? Feel free to post comments below.
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29 April, 2011 10:27 by Dave
It’s been a while between posts here, but as always we at TD have been plugging away, creating new ways to get people talking about cultural diversity.
Our latest development is the TD Portable Studio. It's a travelling space within a space, where strangers are drawn into virtual dialogue about cultural difference and diversity by viewing and creating video work.
We’re working with the fine people at Portable (of Portable Film Festival fame) and Edwards Moore Architects to build it and are set to launch in Brimbank in July 2011. Watch this space for details.
We’re currently looking for six young people from Brimbank to help us spark conversation. If you’d like to get involved register your interest with dahenry@museum.vic.gov.au.
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4 January, 2011 16:25 by Kate
Talking Difference now has a YouTube Channel. It's a place to share ideas and spark dialogue about cultural difference and promote diversity.
Why not join the converation and share your story ....
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