Kaleider publish book created with over 200 Exeter youngsters

Kaleider, a production studio based in Exeter, has published Ancient Sunlight, Stories From The Oil Age created by six artists and over two hundred young people from schools and library groups in Exeter.

Starting with the question ‘What should we do with the last barrel of oil?’, the artists led workshops about the affordances of oil, what we have and value and how those values might be shifted or sustained in the future. Exploring the subject through screen printing, illustration, poetry, script writing and scientific investigation, the artists collaborated with the young people to create The Books of Love, Leadership, Technology, Food and Justice - all of which are contained in the hardback book which will be launched in July 2016.

Seth Honnor (Artistic Director, Kaleider), who conceived the idea said: 

‘The co-creation of Ancient Sunlight has been a wonderful feat of togetherness. More than 280 young people have worked on the book and have inspired us at every turn. It has enabled all of us that have been involved, adults and young people, to reflect on the world as it is now and to imagine what we want to achieve together for our future.I love to think of someone picking this book up in 100 or 200 years time and hearing the voices of Exeter’s young people in poetry, prose, plays and pictures, tussling with the challenges of now and imaging our future with such hope.’

Susy Dunne at Isca Academy, who took part in the project, said: 

‘At a time when education is increasingly geared towards children reciting facts and teachers having to tick boxes, it is wonderful to have a project that truly engages with young people. The Ancient Sunlight workshops encouraged our students to think independently about a subject they felt was timely and relevant.’

The launch will take place at Exeter Central Library on 13 July 5-7pm and will include readings, an exhibition of the illustrations, and an opportunity to meet the young people and artists who created the book.

Based in Exeter but working globally, Kaleider most recently presented The Money, a critically acclaimed show game in which the audience can spend money in whichever they want, as long as they all agree. First played at The Guildhall in Exeter, The Money has since been played at The Houses of Parliament as well as other venues in London, Edinburgh, China and will soon be played in America and Italy. To find out more, visit www.kaleider.com

Kaleider is supported by The Arts Council England and Exeter City Council