Border Crossings Education

3: Uniforms & Hoodies

As part of Patti Smith's 2005 Meltdown Festival on the South Bank, Border Crossings Education collaborated with South Bank Centre Education, Hyperjam and Lilian Baylis Technology School, Lambeth to present Uniforms and Hoodies. Working with a group of 13-14 year old pupils, director Michael Walling, composer John Browne and video artist Derek Richards explored the themes of Meltdown as they relate to young people. The resulting piece looked at experiences of injustice, relating to prejudice against school uniforms and hooded tops: a response to Tony Blair's speech on "respect", and personal experiences of wrongful accusation.

"A wonderful advert for what the creative arts can achieve with those who need support to achieve in school" (Gary Phillips - Headmaster: Lilian Baylis Technology School)

"an inspired combination of music, film and drama which expressed the talent and opinions of the performers without becoming self indulgent....... Spine-tinglingly impressive." (Mary Wilson: Education Manager - London Sinfonietta)

"The highlight of Meltdown" (Tilda Swinton)

"The coolest place to be" (Patti Smith)

Click here to read Patti Smith talking about the Meltdown Festival.

Click here for more information on Hyperjam.

Click here for Lilian Baylis Technology School.

"these material, exploitative times
call for the work of serious minds
outside of society they're waiting for me
to hurt me, or open the door

it's half past eleven and the borders of heaven
are zipped up tight tonight"

Photos: Alex Macnaughton alex.macnaughton@virgin.net