The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Young People’s Collective
Slessor Gardens, Dundee, September 14-15
In Scotland’s Year of Young People, it’s fitting that the major arts happening on the nation’s calendar for 2018 should have a strong youth element. As V&A Dundee prepares to finally fling its doors open to the public this weekend, the 3D Festival launch event with music, dance, street performance, design workshops and a light/sound display has partly been put together by V&A Dundee’s Young People’s Collective.
“The opening celebrations will be a combination of what the city is proud of and the exciting things still to come,” says Maryam Deeni, a member of V&A Dundee’s Young People’s Collective.
“It’s been awesome being part of a group that is really enthusiastic and passionate about the city.”
V&A Dundee’s Young People’s Collective is comprised of 16-to-25 year olds from across the city, and spent this year planning the festival alongside promoters DF Concerts and helped shape everything from the performer line-up to the stage sets.
Another element of the 3D weekend is the dramatic light and sound display which will create a spectacular feast around and above Slessor Gardens.
The project has been a collaboration between two of the city’s design studios, Biome Collective and Agency Of None. Biome is effectively a community space for people to create and explore new areas in digital art, games and technology and they specialise in creating interactive and multi-sensory audience experiences.
Their portfolio features work on the BAFTA Scotland-nominated online game Killbox, web content for National Museums Scotland exhibition Monkey Business, and workshops for young people revolving around issues of national identity.
Agency Of None, who create ‘branding and interior design work’ and ‘a flexible and relaxed space to work in with humans and dogs’ have previously developed beer labels for 71 Brewing, produced materials for the Dundee Design Festival 2017 and launched the podcast, Creative Chit-Chat.
“Together, we have created a visual language including graphic design and animations, and from this base we have both focused on separate elements,” says Malath Abbas, Biome’s director and creative producer about the light and sound show, details for which remain firmly under wraps.
With The 3D Festival marking this Scottish cultural landmark, the DNA of youth is all over the project. As Dundee City Council leader John Alexander said earlier this year: “It is so inspiring to see that young people themselves are playing a central part in the celebration plans.
“This event will capture the spirit of innovation and ambition that is driving Dundee ahead.”