Lybster arts organisation launches free online film festival
A CREATIVE glass organisation based in Lybster is launching a special free-to-view online film festival today.
North Lands Creative (NLC) decided to "rebound in the face of the adversity" caused by Covid-19, and the postponement of an event in Japan, to launch the inaugural edition of its Glass, Meet the Future (GMTF) festival online.
NLC had received part of a £100,000 funding pot from British Council Scotland and Creative Scotland to support art links with Japan. The successful bid covers several art forms including glass, film and cross-disciplinary practices.
The festival – which should have premiered in Toyama, Japan, in May – launches online today and runs for two weeks showcasing a series of short films curated and directed by 26 female artists using glass as the predominant feature.
The Soul of a Statue, a film on the work of Martin Janecký by filmmaker Thomas Hogben featuring their collaborative time at North Lands Creative in 2019, will also premiere during the festival.
“We have spent a great deal of time considering programmes that reflect the diverse interests of our audiences,” said NLC director Karen Phillips.
"This project emphasises identity, community, and the variety in the cross-disciplinary approach emerging from the field of international contemporary glass in the last few years.
"While we have postponed our exchange trip and festival at the Toyama Glass Art Museum until 2021, the film residency and digital programme has enhanced and accelerated the project immensely."
Martin Janecký is considered to be one of the best glass sculptors working today. Among his most recognized strengths is an ability to master the glass moulding technology of so-called blowing and sculpting “inside the bubble” – a technique used to create startlingly original works.
Martin said: “During the residency I made two art pieces. A portrait of a man with a hand underlying his head in a gesture of being immersed in deep thoughts and a portrait of an old man.
"It’s essential for me not only to embody my ideas into glass but moreover express some emotions through my work so that it communicates with the audience.”
Filmmaker Thomas Hogben was delighted to be afforded the unique glass/film residency at the Alastair Pilkington Studio in Caithness.
He said: “Having the opportunity to collaborate with North Lands Creative, and one of the world's leading glass artists, as part of the residency is a fantastic chance to capture something truly unique in one of the most inspiring landscapes Scotland has to offer.”
Jin Hongo, head professor at Toyama Institute of Glass Art, said he was very pleased to collaborate with NLC on the GMTF project. He said: "Glass is not only a traditional craft material steeped in rich history, but is also a continually evolving, cutting edge medium for contemporary artistic expression.”
The festival is dedicated to presenting a selection of new films pivoting around the medium of glass and to highlight the global glass community during this unprecedented time.
The films include narratives, documentaries, experimental, and hybrid genres – telling stories about how art is made, how artists survive, how they think and work, and "what makes creativity our most important skill".
The GMTF festival continues until July 17.
All the screenings are free by visiting NLC website at northlandscreative.co.uk