GOOD GRIEF
Since the death of our co-founder Ian Smith in 2014 we have been exploring themes of death. 'Festival of Ian Smith ' began in 2015 in Glasgow’s CCA to mark the first anniversary of Ian’s death and to celebrate his life and showcase his work. The larger ‘Festival of Death’ at Summerhall in Edinburgh in 2016 highlighted the work of Ian and other Artists. As well as Art, Exhibitions, Films, Workshops and Death Cafes. With Performances by and including Pauline Goldsmith, Vic Melody, F-min, Andrew Tibbles, David Hoyle, Roger Ely, Mamoru Iriguichi, Diane Torr, Neil Butler, Donna Rutherford,Harry Wilson, Alan Richardson and Graham Hinks, Creative Martyrs and Chris Biddlecome. The Festivals of Death celebrated the live’s of Artists through the legacy of their work, with the aim of opening up conversations around death and dying. The additional performances and events served to further engage with the subject in ways that were open, accessible, fun, thought provoking and at times sad, with the intention of normalising this sometime taboo subject.
‘Good Grief - Celebrating Life and Death’ invited audiences and communities to come together at Cranhill and Woodlands Development Trust to consider what it means to ‘live well’ and ‘die well’. The festival programme was designed to gently provoke curiosity, stimulate discussion and confront fears surrounding death and dying.
At the heart of ‘Good Grief’ is a belief that by talking about death we can support the living. We have a desire to discuss death, dying and bereavement by offering participants of all ages outlets to celebrate loved ones and explore death through art, workshops and conversation.
We are delighted to be bringing ‘Good Grief’ to Cranhill Development Trust, Cranhill Parish Church and Woodlands Community Garden with its lovely outdoor spaces and hope we can all make it a positive, comforting, enjoyable, life-affirming festival.Look out for our outdoor interactive walkabout performance exploring ritual, celebration and commemoration of death across the World. These three larger than life, fantastically costumed characters will be on the streets near you sharing stories and anecdotes with the aim of opening up conversations about death.