Residents Rundown: Creating a Space
Residents Rundown is a new Blog Series where we catch up with our current residents, see what they have been up to during their time in Blick Studios and learn about new projects that they’re working on. We’re talking to Creating a Space about their time at Blick so far.
Tell us a bit about Creating a Space
Creating A Space was founded in May 2017. We are a video production and events management company. We have hosted various events throughout the year and really focus on storytelling through the medium of film, interviews, panel talks and music events. We started ‘Creating A Space’ because we wanted to create content that represented both of us being black creatives within Belfast. In mainstream media, there has always been a lack of black representation and we wanted to make a change. To be seen, heard and to create a space for people like us in Belfast. Hence the name ‘Creating A Space’.
We have always loved hearing about and understanding other people’s backgrounds, and connecting with people on an emotional level, understanding what struggles they have faced and what steps they take to empower themselves. In conversations one phrase kept recurring; ‘the time is now’, it was something that inspired us, pushed us to follow through with our dreams in the midst of fear and uncertainty, and so we called one of our most successful projects by the same name.
How did ‘The Time is Now’ begin?
‘The time is now’ initially began with us interviewing creatives based in Belfast, Dublin and London. It enabled us to ask the difficult questions surrounding the creative process and having a creative career. We then expanded to panel talks, where we would invite people within creative industries such as music, film, fashion, curation and graphic design to speak with us. We would gain an understanding of their process of creating, the struggles they face and how they empower themselves.
We like to focus on people that are at the beginning and middle parts of their careers because it’s these starting points that aren’t often discussed until a person has “made it” and is looking back at their career. We feel it’s important to discuss these transitions as they are happening, it helps other creatives (including ourselves) feel less alone. It is intrinsic to what Creating a Space is all about. We hope to cover more in this project and continue to capture creatives peoples’ voices and share their stories.
What projects have you got coming up?
Creating A Space is hosting independent live gigs with up and coming black musicians within the music industry in Belfast. James has a musical background, and we love finding aspiring musicians to collaborate with whilst also giving them a platform to hold gigs. The music is usually hip-hop, electronic and experimental sounds. We feel that there aren’t many spaces that facilitate those genres. The storytelling element runs through these ventures also, as we create a small promo for the artists before each event. This gives the audience a small insight into who they are and usually touches on common themes such as vulnerability and openness. It’s a personal touch. We want people to walk away from our events feeling inspired and encouraged to be themselves no matter what background they come from. We feel that Belfast is a great place to be, a place where we can thrive and push ourselves to grow. We are excited to be part of the creative scene and to continue to collaborate with people from different industries.
We are very much still at the beginning of everything, but excited for what the year has for us!
