Hereford College of Arts opens their doors to the public to celebrate the Festival of Arts, a show that celebrates the work of HCA students and graduates.
We interviewed Xaviere Hughes (Head of FE) and Justin Gregory (Head of HE) about their student’s journey over the last year and what to expect from the Festival of Arts.
2020-2021 has been a period of upheaval and uncertainty, but it has also inspired innovation. How have your students responded over the past year?
Xaviere: "As a specialist Arts College, students at Hereford College of Arts are in a unique position to explore their personal discipline, but this year, the level of interrogation across all aspects of the creative Arts has been taken to new levels.
"We have been amazed, although not surprised at the strength of the work produced and personal resilience of our students in this and the last academic year.
"The students have responded to the pandemic (maybe unconsciously in some cases) by making work that interrogates the senses;
"Art and design work that is more colourful, tactile, wild; themes that are more personal, deep and hard hitting.
"Music that is softer or louder. Song writing and melody that is more meaningful, speaks of a collective experience and feels important.
"Performance via acting, singing and dance that has yearned for a live audience, dialogue that shouts of togetherness, community. Theatre that shines a light on contemporary production and questions global events.
"Digital Media work that is inclusive, accessible and genuinely interactive in a time when physical interaction has been impossible for us all."
Justin: "Each student has had a unique journey, but they have all developed not only their work but their resilience, tenacity and positivity.
"They have been able to inhabit that liminal space between presence and solitude. The online space feels like company but it is actually a different form of company, and our students have managed to use that in a myriad of ways to drive the work and personal practice forward.
"Students have been held in the ideas and design development stages for longer, resulting in more highly developed work. They have then realised this work through increased access to facilities when lockdown did lift.
"Personal reflection has increased in some students work and the tenderness of their responses has been amazing, and poignant."
What can we expect to see? What types of media are on display, and are there any themes running through the festival?
Xave: "As ever we will be able to offer our visitors a visual, a chance to see the work of students from all levels and abilities and an opportunity to join us in celebrating our student’s achievements and progression pathways of which we are so proud."
Justin: "We have everything on show from film, to installations, websites, photographs, paintings, drawing (digital and analogue), computer aided design, books, zines, postcards, stickers, brochures, apps, sculptures."
Art is always moving in new directions. How are the next generation of artists – experimenting with new technologies?
Xave: "At HCA students have the luxury of excellent teaching and industry standard equipment and facilities, so it is not unusual to see a range of media and technologies from the very traditional to the cutting edge in the same collection of work.
"Out of necessity over the last 18 months the world has seen a need for digital online content and our Digital Futures & Interactive Media students have been the driving this forward and responding to employers and live client briefs by developing innovative work in a digital on-line context as well as focusing on communication and global connection via gaming, concept and virtual reality platforms."
We live in a society which is increasingly saturated with digital images; the lines between truth and fiction are often blurred. What can we expect from this year’s photography graduates?
Justin: "Communication through images has been part of human culture for tens of thousands of years. We live in a culture that generates more images than ever before, which you might think devalues images making, but in reality, the opposite is happening. Images are increasingly used as a short cut for words, where people need to get a large amount of information very quickly.
"Digital photography is part of this boom. What you will see in the degree show is a mixture of digital and analogue photography that communicates directly with the viewer on a personal or political or aesthetic level. We have images that demand a response, images that pull you into a tender moment, images that reel you into a history. Authenticity, honesty, and clarity sing out of many of the images on display. All truth is relative, and you will see many hard won, heartfelt truths if you come to the show."
What do you hope audiences take away from the Festival of Arts?
Xave: "When visitors come to the college they always comment on the superb quality of work produced by our students and our unique sense of community. Our long standing history as a specialist Arts centre and our scale do encourage our learners to join in, to communicate to share and collaborate – I hope that visitors take away our values from the student work; that our learners are individual, inventive, inquisitive, collaborative, and brave."
What would your message be to prospective students thinking about studying the creative disciplines?
Xave: "My message would be to get in touch and talk to a member of staff who can advise you about a creative pathway. If your favourite thing to do is make music, perform or create, then you are probably already half way there and we can help you start your creative career with one of our professional and internationally recognised qualifications."
We hope you can make the Festival of Arts. For full information including how to book, opening times and details of live music and performances please visit www.hca.ac.uk/festivalofarts
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