A new community social media project has been launched to collate and curate pictures, videos, artwork and sounds that represent people’s time in lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic.
The project, by Leicestershire County Council’s Heritage and Libraries Participation team, is asking people from across the county to share their photos and video clips, showing how they are living with the lockdown. The shared submissions will then be brought together to create a film which will act as a time capsule. It will demonstrate how people adapted and evolved, both socially and creatively, during the biggest crisis health services have seen worldwide.
Councillor Richard Blunt, county council cabinet member for heritage, leisure and arts, said: “This is a difficult and turbulent time for everyone and what we all knew as day-to-day life has drastically changed. This campaign gives new meaning to adapting for the better and will shed light on the positivity that is bursting within communities. “We want to continue to show that we are all in this together. Sharing content to show how individuals use different coping mechanisms and technology to see them through will be a testament to our time in these difficult circumstances, that will be preserved for generations to come. Engagement with arts and heritage can make a real difference for all of our diverse communities across Leicestershire and a project like this can help to reduce social isolation, as well as bringing communities even closer together.”
The ‘Isolated but Inspired’ campaign is live on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #CV19IsolatedbutInspired. Example entries so far include things like clips of the #clapforcarers and pictures of rainbows in windows but there are many themes this project is taking on to be the catalyst for new activities and ideas. Whether it’s seeking out heirlooms in the attic that have stories to tell, sharing traditions that you’re continuing to do or delving into something new like TikTok videos, the participation team would love to see what people have been doing during their time in lockdown.
Once made, the film will be showcased at the Record Office which is run by Leicestershire County Council in partnership with Leicester City and Rutland councils. Senior Archivist at Leicestershire County Council, Robin Jenkins, said: “Coronavirus is a significant global historical event and we are thrilled to be supporting this project which is seeking out the positivity and real sense of community that has been undeniable in recent weeks.
“We see this film as an opportunity to share with future generations how we coped at a pivotal point in history - isolated socially but united in spirit.”
Videos submitted should be no longer than two minutes in length and should be phone quality. All art forms e.g. photo, artwork, video and writing should be submitted with the relevant permissions. Content submitted doesn’t need to include people themselves - it could show art, animals, landscapes, collections or other family/friends if they have given permissions. The team hope to build up a gallery which will be used as the foundation for the final video.
Entries can be submitted online using the following channels: Facebook.com/CommunityCurators [facebook.com], tweeted to Twitter.com/ComCurators [twitter.com] or emailed to louise.sharples@leics.gov.uk.