This project documents a unique moment in human social evolution… the encounter and exchange between the first generation to grow up with the internet ever-present, meeting the last remaining generation for whom email has not become an integral part of their daily lives.
Sixty children aged 9-10 will teach sixty senior citizens 70+ how to use email. The ‘first email’ sent by each senior citizen will join an online archive; each email will be coupled with a video or sound file edited by a child, telling the story of the email: who the recipient is – and why. A selection of these emails will be converted into typographic artworks, created collaboratively by the children and Abake, graphic designers on the project.
These artworks will be displayed in poster form in the public realm. There will also be an exhibition that will include live readings and other performative responses to the emails and eventually a publication that compiles highlights of work from within the project. The online archive will include a DIY video, which enables anyone to replicate the teaching process – thus the project becomes viral and reaches an ever-expanding audience. Artist, Kate Rowles and design collective Abake will lead and facilitate this ‘relational’ artwork and community cohesion project. It has been produced and developed by arts organisation Fierce.
Process
Since February 2010, artist Kate Rowles and Patrick (of Abake) have spent a series of days at Hawthorne and Kingthorne Primary schools in Kingstanding, Birmingham. During these sessions pupils have been introduced to the internet and email. They have also had lessons in interview technique and teaching!
First Email is part of the Hello Digital 2010 participatory programme. It is also supported by Birmingham City Council and Arts Council England.
