If lockdown was a rhythm, what would it be? 

Primary has worked with Mojatu Foundation, Fearless Youth Association (FYA), and FMB Radio on a new project, 'Sounds of Lockdown'. A group of local young people aged 16-25 took part in a series of sessions to produce a podcast or radio show focused on stories, thoughts, and reflections about the lockdown. 

The Sounds of Lockdown podcast is a journey through sound and music created by Parmjit Sagoo, Jaya Gordon-Moore (JayaHadADream), Craig Hill (C.A.S.E), Daud Xiddig and Dom Hubner.

For more information about the project, please visit our website: http://www.weareprimary.org/whats-on/sounds-of-the-lockdown-release

The project has been developed as a collaboration between Primary, Fearless Youth Association (FYA), and FMB Radio, and was funded by ChalleNGe Nottingham.

Sound production by Alex Rooz ﻿

Track List

1. Introduction (ft Craig, Daud, Dom, Parmjit & Jaya)  
2. Soundscape by Parmjit  
3. Question Time (ft Craig, Daud, Dom, Parmjit & Jaya)  
4. Synesthesia by Daud  
5. Phone Call (ft Craig & Daud)  
6. You're In My Heart by Dom  
7. State Of EmerGEN-Z by Daud 
8. C.A.S.E by Craig 
9. Soundscape by Parmjit 
10. Finding It Now by Dom 
11. Pendulum by Daud 
12. Hope by Craig (C.A.S.E) 
13. Hope by Jaya (JayaHadADream) 
14. Beautiful Place by Dom  
15. Message 2 Self by Jaya (JayaHadADream) 
16. Message 2 Self by Craig (C.A.S.E) 
17. Soundscape by Parmjit

Sounds of Lockdown

As part of the residency programme Re-Framing Dance, initiated by Dance4 in collaboration with Primary in Nottingham, Nora-Swantje Almes invited six practitioners into conversations on the shifting relationship between contemporary dance and visual arts. The 5-part podcast series takes the practices of choreographers and artists Jamila Johnson-Small and Gillian Walsh, Holly Blakey, Michele Rizzo, curator/DJ Naeem Dxvis (BBZ London and dance historian Tom Hastings as departure points to gather a variety of perspectives. 

Conversational formats have become an important research method that continuously inform Nora’s curatorial practice. The series understands the ‘in-between’, unpredictability and being in-flux as a legitimate tool. Queering* and body-based practices in institutions both challenge existing (infra)structures and open up room for new working practices. By bringing about moments of surprise, conversations reflect this non-linearity and facilitate a constant learning beyond education conventions. Their fluid character allows for dissonance – a change of direction in the midst of it. Primarily recorded for curatorial research purposes, the edited episodes give an insight into the practitioners’ cross-points, shared questions and concerns, and an outlook on where to go from here.

In the first episode Nora speaks about inherent contradictions and the potential of transformation with London-based artist and choreographer Jamila Johnson-Small and New York City-based choreographer Gillian Walsh.

Nora-Swantje Almes is a curator, producer and writer, currently based in Glasgow. Her research explores topics of intersectionality, queerness and gatherings as a performative format for platforming a multiplicity of voices.

Re-Framing Dance is an action research project. Part one of the project will support residencies for independent producers to invite curators, artists and Dance4 into a process to undertake choreographic research exploring the possibilities to create new work that invites audiences to see, experience and potentially participate in choreographic art works sited in gallery contexts.

Sound design: Urban Feral
Sound edit: Tom Harris

Thanks to Dance4, Primary, Jerwood Arts, Lxo Cohen, Annika Thiems.

Re-Framing Dance Conversations with Nora-Swantje Almes | Ep.1

"The Beginnings of Outside" is the first episode in The Gardens of Others podcast, a three part series exploring the ways in which people’s relationships with plant life and the land, serve as a microcosm of not only the concerns of contemporary political life, but also of the ways in which we might learn to live together. 

For this episode the South African artist collaborative MADEYOULOOK invites you into deep listening to the recollections of various gardeners, activists, artists and writers of colour in Britain and South Africa as they share their personal experiences and memories of how they came into relationship with plant life and nature. They place these narratives within the wider historical contexts of migration and families of growers using gardening as a means of place-making, and maintaining connections to their ancestral homes.

Podcast producers: MADEYOULOOK 

Contributors: Josina Calliste, Sui Searle, Ama Josephine Budge, Zakiya McKenzie, Carole Wright, Juliet Sargeant, Charles Nembhard, Navi Kaur, Mphathi Motha, Simangele Siko. 

Editors: Daniel Basckin and Andrei van Wyk. 

Thanks to: St. Anne’s Allotment, Garden Museum UK, Janine Nelson, Mo Cooper, Pandeani Liphosa and Ngilima Photography Archives.

This research residency is part of Here, There & Everywhere, a collaborative programme led by New Art Exchange with Delfina Foundation, Eastside Projects, QUAD/FORMAT, Primary, MAC and The Tetley, and funded by Ambition for Excellence (Arts Council England).

Gardens of Others: The Beginnings of Outside - MADEYOULOOK

"These audio recordings are a series of archival files made before the commission. In thinking about responses to the Raleigh commission, I decided to think about what came to mind when writing the proposal. It was made when I wasn’t at work (in my previous day job), and they became recordings that were a way of registering the moments of actively being not ‘at work’."

The audio recordings are part of 'Attention:Absorption', an unfolding programme of research by artist Maybelle Peters for When We Worked at Raleigh: Contemporary Art Commission.

When We Worked at Raleigh is a partnership project by Nottingham Black Archive and Primary documenting the experiences of members of the Windrush generation, and their descendants, who worked for Raleigh Industries from the 1950s to the 1980s. Over the course of the project, Nottingham Black Archive collected oral histories, documenting arrival and day-to-day experiences, and contributions to challenging racism and increasing workplace equality in one of Nottingham’s most famous industries.

TASCAM 0075

Humming

"The single-frame recording never achieves a steady, regular rhythm.  A monotonous, repetitive task is always interrupted by some more or less interesting distractions. In trying to mimic an automaton, I end up recording continuous attempts to keep time."

The audio recordings are part of 'Attention:Absorption', an unfolding programme of research by artist Maybelle Peters for When We Worked at Raleigh: Contemporary Art Commission.

When We Worked at Raleigh is a partnership project by Nottingham Black Archive and Primary documenting the experiences of members of the Windrush generation, and their descendants, who worked for Raleigh Industries from the 1950s to the 1980s. Over the course of the project, Nottingham Black Archive collected oral histories, documenting arrival and day-to-day experiences, and contributions to challenging racism and increasing workplace equality in one of Nottingham’s most famous industries.

Manual Film Record

"The single-frame recording never achieves a steady, regular rhythm.  A monotonous, repetitive task is always interrupted by some more or less interesting distractions. In trying to mimic an automaton, I end up recording continuous attempts to keep time."

The audio recordings are part of 'Attention:Absorption', an unfolding programme of research by artist Maybelle Peters for When We Worked at Raleigh: Contemporary Art Commission.

When We Worked at Raleigh is a partnership project by Nottingham Black Archive and Primary documenting the experiences of members of the Windrush generation, and their descendants, who worked for Raleigh Industries from the 1950s to the 1980s. Over the course of the project, Nottingham Black Archive collected oral histories, documenting arrival and day-to-day experiences, and contributions to challenging racism and increasing workplace equality in one of Nottingham’s most famous industries.

TimeLapse Auto Record - 1

"Walking Inwards: On Black Interiority" is the second episode in The Gardens of Others podcast, a three part series exploring the ways in which people’s relationships with plant life and the land, serve as a microcosm of not only the concerns of contemporary political life, but also of the ways in which we might learn to live together. 

In this episode the South African artist collaborative MADEYOULOOK speaks to gardeners, activists, artists and writers of colour in Britain and South Africa about the meanings of nature and gardens as sites of interior experience. The conversations reflect upon gardening and the natural world as spaces of sanctuary, beauty and pleasure for communities of colour. It also delves into the spiritual, psychic and affective connections the speakers have to food, medicinal plants and plants of aesthetic value.

Podcast producers: MADEYOULOOK 

Contributors: Josina Calliste, Sui Searle, Ama Josephine Budge, Zakiya McKenzie, Carole Wright, Juliet Sargeant, Charles Nembhard, Navi Kaur, Mphathi Motha, Simangele Siko. 

Editors: Daniel Basckin and Andrei van Wyk. 

Thanks to: St. Anne’s Allotment, Garden Museum UK, Janine Nelson, Mo Cooper, Pandeani Liphosa and Ngilima Photography Archives.

This research residency is part of Here, There & Everywhere, a collaborative programme led by New Art Exchange with Delfina Foundation, Eastside Projects, QUAD/FORMAT, Primary, MAC and The Tetley, and funded by Ambition for Excellence (Arts Council England).

Gardens of Others: Walking Inwards, On Black Interiority - MADEYOULOOK

"Finding Nowhere: On making place" is the third episode in The Gardens of Others podcast, a three part series exploring the ways in which people’s relationships with plant life and the land, serve as a microcosm of not only the concerns of contemporary political life, but also of the ways in which we might learn to live together. 

In this episode the South African artist collaborative MADEYOULOOK speaks to gardeners, activists, artists and writers of colour in Britain and South Africa about how communities of colour are disrupting unspoken assumptions of a general disassociation from nature. The speakers discuss the various ways in which people of colour are reimagining spaces to engage with plant life, and formulating ways of being in relationship with the land and with each other.

Podcast producers: MADEYOULOOK 

Contributors: Josina Calliste, Sui Searle, Ama Josephine Budge, Zakiya McKenzie, Carole Wright, Juliet Sargeant, Charles Nembhard, Navi Kaur, Mphathi Motha, Simangele Siko. 

Editors: Daniel Basckin and Andrei van Wyk. 

Thanks to: St. Anne’s Allotment, Garden Museum UK, Janine Nelson, Mo Cooper, Pandeani Liphosa and Ngilima Photography Archives.

This research residency is part of Here, There & Everywhere, a collaborative programme led by New Art Exchange with Delfina Foundation, Eastside Projects, QUAD/FORMAT, Primary, MAC and The Tetley, and funded by Ambition for Excellence (Arts Council England).

https://www.weareprimary.org/projects-archive/madeyoulook

Gardens of Others: Finding Nowhere - MADEYOULOOK

As part of the residency programme Re-Framing Dance, initiated by Dance4 in collaboration with Primary in Nottingham, Nora-Swantje Almes invited six practitioners into conversations on the shifting relationship between contemporary dance and visual arts. The 5-part podcast series takes the practices of choreographers and artists Jamila Johnson-Small and Gillian Walsh, Holly Blakey, Michele Rizzo, curator/DJ Naeem Dxvis (BBZ London) and dance historian Tom Hastings as departure points to gather a variety of perspectives.
Conversational formats have become an important research method that continuously inform Nora’s curatorial practice. The series understands the ‘in-between’, unpredictability and being in-flux as a legitimate tool. Queering* and body-based practices in institutions both challenge existing (infra)structures and open up room for new working practices. By bringing about moments of surprise, conversations reflect this non-linearity and facilitate a constant learning beyond education conventions. Their fluid character allows for dissonance – a change of direction in the midst of it. Primarily recorded for curatorial research purposes, the edited episodes give an insight into the practitioners’ cross-points, shared questions and concerns, and an outlook on where to go from here.

In the second episode Nora speaks to London-based choreographer Holly Blakey, about breaking away from the field of contemporary dance, motherhood as an artist, choreographer-performer relationships, popular culture and value systems attached to it.

Nora-Swantje Almes is a curator, producer and writer, currently based in Bergen, Norway. Her research explores topics of intersectionality, queerness and gatherings as a performative format for platforming a multiplicity of voices.

Re-Framing Dance is an action research project. Part one of the project will support residencies for independent producers to invite curators, artists and Dance4 into a process to undertake choreographic research exploring the possibilities to create new work that invites audiences to see, experience and potentially participate in choreographic art works sited in gallery contexts.

Sound design: Urban Feral

Sound edit: Tom Harris

Thanks to Dance4, Primary, Jerwood Arts, Lxo Cohen, Annika Thiems.

Re-Framing Dance Conversations - Episode 2

As part of the residency programme Re-Framing Dance, initiated by Dance4 in collaboration with Primary in Nottingham, Nora-Swantje Almes invited six practitioners into conversations on the shifting relationship between contemporary dance and visual arts. The 5-part podcast series takes the practices of choreographers and artists Jamila Johnson-Small and Gillian Walsh, Holly Blakey, Michele Rizzo, curator/DJ Naeem Dxvis (BBZ London) and dance historian Tom Hastings as departure points to gather a variety of perspectives. 

Conversational formats have become an important research method that continuously inform Nora’s curatorial practice. The series understands the ‘in-between’, unpredictability and being in-flux as a legitimate tool. Queering* and body-based practices in institutions both challenge existing (infra)structures and open up room for new working practices. By bringing about moments of surprise, conversations reflect this non-linearity and facilitate a constant learning beyond education conventions. Their fluid character allows for dissonance – a change of direction in the midst of it. Primarily recorded for curatorial research purposes, the edited episodes give an insight into the practitioners’ cross-points, shared questions and concerns, and an outlook on where to go from here. 

In the third episode Nora speaks to Italian choreographer Michele Rizzo about his route from dance to visual arts, working in museum settings, how he considers club culture in his works and the journey of the raver. 
How to listen: Re-Framing Dance Conversations with Nora-Swantje Almes | Ep.3 has been released on Soundcloud. 
Nora-Swantje Almes is a curator, producer and writer, currently based in Bergen, Norway. Her research explores topics of intersectionality, queerness and gatherings as a performative format for platforming a multiplicity of voices. 

Re-Framing Dance is an action research project. Part one of the project will support residencies for independent producers to invite curators, artists and Dance4 into a process to undertake choreographic research exploring the possibilities to create new work that invites audiences to see, experience and potentially participate in choreographic art works sited in gallery contexts.
 
Sound design: Urban Feral 
Sound edit: Tom Harris 

Thanks to Dance4, Primary, Jerwood Arts, Lxo Cohen, Annika Thiems.

Re-Framing Dance: Conversations with Nora-Swantje Almes | Episode 3

As part of the residency programme Re-Framing Dance, initiated by Dance4 in collaboration with Primary in Nottingham, Nora-Swantje Almes invited six practitioners into conversations on the shifting relationship between contemporary dance and visual arts. The 5-part podcast series takes the practices of choreographers and artists Jamila Johnson-Small and Gillian Walsh, Holly Blakey, Michele Rizzo, curator/DJ Naeem Dxvis (BBZ London) and dance historian Tom Hastings as departure points to gather a variety of perspectives. 

Conversational formats have become an important research method that continuously inform Nora’s curatorial practice. The series understands the ‘in-between’, unpredictability and being in-flux as a legitimate tool. Queering* and body-based practices in institutions both challenge existing (infra)structures and open up room for new working practices. By bringing about moments of surprise, conversations reflect this non-linearity and facilitate a constant learning beyond education conventions. Their fluid character allows for dissonance – a change of direction in the midst of it. Primarily recorded for curatorial research purposes, the edited episodes give an insight into the practitioners’ cross-points, shared questions and concerns, and an outlook on where to go from here. 

In the fourth episode Nora speaks to Naeem Dxvis - artist, curator co-founder of BBZ London - about the label queer, creating spaces and their curatorial methodologies in art and club spaces. 
 
Nora-Swantje Almes is a curator, producer and writer, currently based in Bergen, Norway. Her research explores topics of intersectionality, queerness and gatherings as a performative format for platforming a multiplicity of voices. 

Re-Framing Dance is an action research project. Part one of the project will support residencies for independent producers to invite curators, artists and Dance4 into a process to undertake choreographic research exploring the possibilities to create new work that invites audiences to see, experience and potentially participate in choreographic art works sited in gallery contexts. 

Sound design: Urban Feral 

Sound edit: Tom Harris 

Thanks to Dance4, Primary, Jerwood Arts, Lxo Cohen, Annika Thiems.

Re-Framing Dance Conversations with Nora-Swantje Almes | Episode 4

In July Nare Mokgotho of MADEYOULOOK collective and artist Zethu Maseko came together at Primary in the Edjardini structure to have a conversation about their overlapping practices. Nare and Zethu discussed how they understand the place of nature and land in their work.    

Johannesburg based artist Nare Mokgotho reflected on the origins and journey of the Ejaradini project and the South African iteration of the Landedness programme. Nare explored how collaboration feeds into developing a community of practice with others, both internationally and within more localised ecosystems. 

Zethu shared their reflections on co-producing a contemporary art commission, and working with an emerging community of Black and South Asian gardeners through the Landedness programme.

MADEYOULOOK is Molemo Moiloa and Nare Mokgotho. They take as their point of departure, everyday black practices that have either been historically overlooked or deemed inconsequential. Their work is directed towards a practice of socialities and relationalities that manifests in various forms, including inter-textual installations, gatherings, discursive programmes, research and publications. 

Zethu Maseko (London, UK) is an artist, researcher and cultural worker. She is currently based between South Africa and the UK. Her current practice focuses on tapestry and sound but has included performance, film and costume. Speakers: Nare Mokgotho of MADEYOULOOK and Zethu MasekoProject leads: Jade Foster Sound design: Tom Harris

This event is supported by the British Council Cultural Exchange programme, which assists cultural organisations, festivals, artists, and creatives between the countries of SSA and the UK to create art, build networks, collaborate and develop markets and share artists’ work with audiences.

Ejaradini Conversation - Zethu Maseko

Ejaradini Conversation - Nare Mokgotho

As part of the residency programme Re-Framing Dance, initiated by Dance4 in collaboration with Primary in Nottingham, Nora-Swantje Almes invited six practitioners into conversations on the shifting relationship between contemporary dance and visual arts. The 5-part podcast series takes the practices of choreographers and artists Jamila Johnson-Small and Gillian Walsh, Holly Blakey, Michele Rizzo, curator/DJ Naeem Dxvis (BBZ London) and dance historian Tom Hastings as departure points to gather a variety of perspectives. 

Conversational formats have become an important research method that continuously inform Nora’s curatorial practice. The series understands the ‘in-between’, unpredictability and being in-flux as a legitimate tool. Queering* and body-based practices in institutions both challenge existing (infra)structures and open up room for new working practices. By bringing about moments of surprise, conversations reflect this non-linearity and facilitate a constant learning beyond education conventions. Their fluid character allows for dissonance – a change of direction in the midst of it. Primarily recorded for curatorial research purposes, the edited episodes give an insight into the practitioners’ cross-points, shared questions and concerns, and an outlook on where to go from here. 

In the fifth episode Nora speaks to dance historian Tom Hasting - about the long-standing relationship between contemporary dance and visual arts and current approaches from institutions.

How to listen: Re-Framing Dance Conversations with Nora-Swantje Almes | Ep.5 has been released on Soundcloud. 

Nora-Swantje Almes is a curator, producer and writer, currently based in Bergen, Norway. Her research explores topics of intersectionality, queerness and gatherings as a performative format for platforming a multiplicity of voices. 

Re-Framing Dance is an action research project. Part one of the project will support residencies for independent producers to invite curators, artists and Dance4 into a process to undertake choreographic research exploring the possibilities to create new work that invites audiences to see, experience and potentially participate in choreographic art works sited in gallery contexts. 

Sound design: Urban Feral 

Sound edit: Tom Harris 

Thanks to Dance4, Primary, Jerwood Arts, Lxo Cohen, Annika Thiems.

Re-Framing Dance Conversations with Nora-Swantje Almes | Ep. 5

British-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist Nwando Ebizie and UK-based curator, writer and producer Saziso Phiri share an informal in conversation. During September 2033 Nwando was in residence at Primary as part of our Work in Common series, that encourages artists to experiment with different ways of working – either testing out a speculative idea or developing new collaborations. Framed by Nwando’s expansive practice, Nwando and Saziso speak about new work developed during this residency period, exploring an intimacy with the land that expands on ideas of how to be a good ancestor.

Work in Common | Nwando Ebizie & Saziso Phiri in conversation

When We Worked at Raleigh is a partnership project by Nottingham Black Archive and Primary, documenting the first-hand experiences of members of the Windrush generation and their descendants, focusing on those who worked for Nottingham's Raleigh Industries from the 1950s to the 1980s.

This podcast features edited oral histories collected by Nottingham Black Archive, exploring day-to-day experiences of employment at Raleigh, and highlighting how the Windrush generation contributed to challenging racism and increasing workplace equality in one of Nottingham’s most famous industries.

This project is part of the Making Place programme at Primary, and is supported the Windrush Day Grant Scheme. Narration by Panya Banjoko, interviews by Panya Banjoko, Keisha Bruce, and Omara Dyer-Johnson, and sound production by Tom Harris.

Episode 1: Introduction & Bettina Wallace

Episode 4: Iona Walker

Episode 6: Lloyd Dunwell

Episode 7: Winston Smellie

Laura talks us through her first experience of making cheese from scratch (which she’d done that morning!) and shares some with the group to try. 

This talk was recorded at Tell Me Something I Don't Know #1, April 2017.

TMSIDK #1: I've Never Made Cheese Before by Laura

Sahej asks us to imagine what it would be like to take a one-way trip to Mars, and describes a project which aims to recruit volunteers as part of a reality TV show, Mars One.   

This talk was recorded at Tell Me Something I Don't Know #1, April 2017.

TMSIDK #1: A One Way Trip To Mars by Sahej

Chris brings two accordions to show us, explains how they function differently, and talks (and plays!) us through the history of the squeezebox in varying forms around the world.   

This talk was recorded at Tell Me Something I Don't Know #2, June 2017.

TMSIDK #2: The Big Squeeze: The History and Function of the Accordion by Chris

Paul introduces different theories of social change and explains the way they might be understood as different kinds of energy and shape, interpreted by the help of resident artist, Chris Lewis-Jones. 

This talk was recorded at Tell Me Something I Don't Know #3, August 2017.

TMSIDK #3: The Shape of Things to Come by Paul

Local artist Adrian shares a fascinating talk about the interconnecting facets of his life and work researching science, light, and art. 

This talk was recorded at Tell Me Something I Don't Know #4, October 2017.

TMSIDK #4: Light, Science, and Art by Adrian

Paper manufacturing, design, and engineering: designer and producer Joff, from Lane Homeware, talks us through the complicated process involved in their simple idea to develop an entirely compostable lampshade. 

This talk was recorded at Tell Me Something I Don't Know #6, February 2018.

TMSIDK #6: The Complexity of Simple Things by Joff

NeighbourFood coordinator and Yellow Belly Oil producer Bex talks to us about the underground soil ecosystem, the role that worms have, and importance of soil as a resource for all.  

This talk was recorded at Tell Me Something I Don't Know #6, February 2018.

TMSIDK #6: The Wonderful Worm by Bex

Episode 11: Royden Allen (Part 1)

Ian and Jude from the Performing Arts Library explain how the library works and share an entire set of their largest orchestral scores and part books.

This talk was recorded at Tell Me Something I Don't Know #7, June 2018.

TMSIDK #7: The Performing Arts Library by Jude and Ian

Anniyah and Subhaan tell us about the activities they do at their local Beaver and Cub Scout groups. Becky interviews them about the different badges they work towards, and their favourite things about camping and going to meet other groups.

This talk was recorded at Tell Me Something I Don't Know #8, October 2018.

TMSIDK #8: Beavers and Cubs by Anniyah and Subhaan

Georgina introduces us to the complex world of potty training and the different takes people have on the various approaches. She explains an approach which is little-known in the UK and could help save money and waste.

This talk was recorded at Tell Me Something I Don't Know #8, October 2018.

TMSIDK #8: Pottytunities by Georgina

Effy's talk takes the form of a live video call with her father, from their home country of Hungary. They talk about Effy's move to England at the age of 16, what it was like for her father to grow up in a socialist regime, and their different experiences of travel and freedom of movement.  

This talk was recorded at Tell Me Something I Don't Know #9, February 2019.

TMSIDK #9: Does the Queen Have a Passport? by Effy

Sabrina attended Douglas Road Primary School before it closed and reopened as Primary. She still lives locally and was involved in Primary's Lentonness project. In this talk, Sabrina shares stories from her days at Douglas Road and reflects on Lenton as a neighbourhood and community over the past 20 years.

This talk was recorded at Tell Me Something I Don't Know #10, April 2019.

TMSIDK #10: Douglas Road Primary School by Sabrina

Flora, an MA student on a placement at Primary, shares her love of food, explaining how she learn to make sushi and the ways in which she likes to mix recipes to create new combinations. 

This talk was recorded at Tell Me Something I Don't Know #12, September 2019.

TMSIDK #12: A Plate of Fusion by Flora

www.weareprimary.org
Primary creates an open environment for artistic research and production through the provision of studio and workshop spaces, and an innovative public programme.
Primary is located in a former primary school in Nottingham, UK.

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