A north-east artist is working to create a unique video diary of how two cities, Aberdeen in Scotland and Stavanger in Norway, are responding to the unprecedented global lockdown.
Sara Stroud was originally to have been the final artist in residence for the Creative Europe-funded NATUR initiative and was in the process of producing a film about the impact and legacy of the oil industry in both countries, through the eyes of taxi drivers, pub landlords, workers in the energy sector and the wider public.
The current travel restrictions have, however, rendered that impossible and she is now inviting residents in Aberdeen and Stavanger to contribute video diaries and films as part of a new venture that will explore how the different cities responded to the crisis.
There are already strong links between the two communities, whose football clubs have met regularly, while the mayor of Stavanger traditionally presents a Christmas tree to the Granite City as a seasonal gesture of goodwill.
Once the film venture has been carried out, the footage will be cut into a feature-length documentary, with the individual video diaries handed over to Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives to become part of the already-extensive collection, which has been globally recognised by UNESCO.
Ms Stroud said: “Much of my work is inspired by archives and found footage and I am excited to be creating an archive within both cities and for it to become a time capsule of narratives for future generations.
”I am happy for people to share their feelings, their video diaries and anything which encapsulates what they are experiencing at the moment.
”I am also excited for it to be given to the Aberdeen city archives and the people of Stavanger and for it to be used as a living project.”
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