Talking Birds’ Podcasts

Nestival of Ideas Ep. 2 - Green Revolution or Greenwashing

Nestival of Ideas talk/panel discussion held at The Nest 16th Sept 2022

Green Revolution or Greenwashing? Can artists really change the world?

With the Climate Emergency having truly (finally) hit the mainstream, this panel discussion seeks to explore the impact art and artists can actually have on changing behaviour and combating the climate emergency. We’ve long been told that the arts are the best tool for awareness raising – but is this enough? When awareness is raised, how is action galvanised? Where do the arts go next?

There’s a growing interest in making ‘green’ work, and increased funding available – but what are the funders’ motivations, and expectations? How do we spot virtue signalling or avoid our projects being derailed by others’ agendas? Many supposedly green projects are not made in a sustainable way, or are blatant greenwashing – and of course the arts are not alone in this – but what are the ethics here? If such a project succeeds in creating positive change, does that make it ok? Is anything that slows the handcart allowed, or must artists making green projects that seek to change people’s behaviour be beyond reproach?

We’re interested in untangling some of this, and provoking a lively discussion which will give people lots to think about afterwards (and hopefully lead to some lasting behaviour change!).

On the panel:

Farah Ahmed, Climate Justice Lead and Events Coordinator at Julie’s Bicycle; Amanda Roberts, Independent Producer, formerly Green Futures lead at Coventry 2021; and Mish Weaver, Artistic Director and originator of Parade of Horribles. The discussion will be chaired by Janet Vaughan, Co-Artistic Director of Talking Birds.

Nestival of Ideas Ep. 1 - Artist Manifestos

Nestival of Ideas talk/panel discussion held at The Nest 18th March 2022

Words Into Actions: Can artist-led manifestos create real change?

Artists create manifestos as artworks, tools, provocations, rallying points, handbooks.... 

Just how effective are manifestos at creating change? And what can we do to make them more effective? 

What does a manifesto look like and what happens when it is finished? How do we galvanise people behind a manifesto? What are some of the barriers to change, and can artist-led manifestos creatively overcome these? 

Are artist-led manifestos any more or less effective than other kinds of manifestos (or action)? Are manifestos something that artists in particular are drawn to? 

How do we use manifestos to keep momentum and can we achieve real change through manifestos alone, or are they more effective as part of a suite of actions? 

How do we use the manifesto to keep actively pushing at things even when they drop off the news agenda? How do we avoid empty words, good intentions or virtue signalling?

The panel includes Elizabeth Lawal, whose work includes More Than A Moment Pledge for action with and for Black creatives; Dan Thompson, who most recently pulled together the Coventry Artists' Manifesto for Access; and Derek Nisbet, composer, film-maker and Co-Artistic Director of Talking Birds, talking about The Virtual Fringe (2004). Chaired by Philippa Cross, General Manager of Talking Birds.

Words and Music Recorded (BBC R3) live in Coventry (extract)

Music by Derek Nisbet; Lyrics by Liz Mytton (Scir Burna; Grandma's Song) and Peter Cann (I Dream of Flying). Performed by Amy Kakoura (vox), Simon Chalk (fiddle, BVs), Derek Nisbet (piano).

Into The (Russian) Ice

New Orkestrion created & played by Slava Mishin; Piano composed & played by Derek Nisbet

Into The Ice

Composed and played by Derek Nisbet

Danse Macabre

Composed and played by Derek Nisbet

Resilience & Remembering Installation Extract

Part of piece created for Coventry Moves as part of Coventry 2021, a multi-speaker installation in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral.

Montague's Song Listen Along

To mark the 105th anniversary of the loss of Coventry Violinist Montague Johnson at the Somme. 

Words: Chris O'Connell

Music: Derek Nisbet

Singer: Elinor Middleton

Producer / Textile Artist: Julia Negus

Sound: Bungle

You can see Montague's medal on display with Julia's stitched cushion in the War Memorial Park visitor centre.

A Conversation with Ickworth : Researching Ickworth and the First World War

Our first trial of the "Conversation with Ickworth" panel idea, the topic was ‘Researching Ickworth and the First World War.’ Our panel comprised of Peter McGee, the volunteer who led this research stream, Iris Taylor, who also volunteers in the research team and Chloe Woodrow, Assistant House Manager. The Chair was Graham Parker, an ‘Exemplar Champion’ volunteer who has trialled the other ‘people phase’ concepts as well as being a member of the research team.

Panel:
Peter McGee, Volunteer Researcher
Iris Taylor, Volunteer Researcher
Chloe Woodrow, Assistant House Manager
Chair:
Graham Parker
Engineer:
Jonathan Blackford

Recorded at Ickworth House, Suffolk on 26.7.14

This panel discussion was convened as part of Ickworth's Exemplar Project, and is one of the 6 ideas put together by Talking Birds as part of the project. It is designed to disseminate the work of the volunteer research team at Ickworth.