Restless is an arts activism project about community, visibility and voice for survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse. At the heart of the project, walking and coastal landscapes offer imagery revealing survivor experiences - of exposure, navigating challenging territory, occupying the edges - and the sea provides a central metaphor of the power of continuous collective action to make change.
Restless combines walking with creative research, spoken word, music, combined arts and participatory actions for survivors and allies online and in the landscape.
In 2018, Viv walked the Dorset stretch of the SW coast path with her producer Sarah Blowers and other collaborators. Poetry written about that journey has now been made into a digital artwork She walks... with composer Quinta, Rapper JPDL and artist Lou Sumray.
Restless combines walking with creative research, spoken word, music, combined arts and participatory actions for survivors and allies online and in the landscape.
In 2018, Viv walked the Dorset stretch of the SW coast path with her producer Sarah Blowers and other collaborators. Poetry written about that journey has now been made into a digital artwork She walks... with composer Quinta, Rapper JPDL and artist Lou Sumray.
She walks...
We launched She walks… a new music track and animation exploring the unknown territory of surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse on the 25th November (to coincide with the first day of the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence). Inspired by walking coastal landscapes, the short digital artwork shares survivor experiences of feeling far away, navigating difficult journeys and living on the edges of society.
The intention is to give greater voice and visibility to the 11 million adult survivors of CSA in the UK. The end result is starkly beautiful and haunting. It does not flinch away from uncomfortable truths but looks to the sea for inspiration to keep going. The sea represents a positive, restless force which has the power to change the landscape over time. |
She walks... credits
Artistic Director: Viv Gordon
Lyrics and Vocals: Viv Gordon and JPDL
Backing Vocals : Quinta
Music and Production: Quinta
Drums: Alex Thomas
Vocal Engineering: Sam Fryer
Mixing: TJ Allen
Mastering: Shawn Joseph
Animator: Lou Sumray
Project Producer: Kate McStraw
Lyrics and Vocals: Viv Gordon and JPDL
Backing Vocals : Quinta
Music and Production: Quinta
Drums: Alex Thomas
Vocal Engineering: Sam Fryer
Mixing: TJ Allen
Mastering: Shawn Joseph
Animator: Lou Sumray
Project Producer: Kate McStraw
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN
#MyLineInTheSandWhether you’re a survivor or an ally, sometimes it’s hard to find the words we need. So we came up with #MyLineInTheSand as a way to give voice to the feelings that we can’t always say out loud.
We’ve made a few of our own and now we would love you to share your words with us. Every voice matters so give us big words, small words, lots of words or simply a picture – we welcome them all. You can make a bold declaration on the beach or you can do so quietly at home, using whatever you have to hand. Then take a picture and share on social media using the hashtags #MyLineInTheSand and #RestlessVGC |
WE'RE INVITING YOU TO TAKE PART
Restless is supported by Arts Council England SW Project Grants
with additional support from Strike a Light, Activate Performing Arts, Circomedia and Pavilion Dance SW
with additional support from Strike a Light, Activate Performing Arts, Circomedia and Pavilion Dance SW
My heart is thumping as I write this. I am not hiding any more. Sunday was a special day, the day I joined the “Restless” walk. The vultures had been circling around my head, ripping and tearing away at my confidence and psychological constitution, but your blog kept me strong. That day I felt understood. Walking in solidarity against abuse and violence. Unable to express myself adequately in words I was taken up with the esoteric symbolism of the walk; the placing of one foot in front of the other to climb the hills, and the tiny steps taken to prevent a tumble getting down the steep slope on the other side, then, MAKING IT . . . . to warm friends and a warm fire on the beach, just as I’ve got through the abuse. |