for Scotland’s mental health
LIKE FLYING ARTIST’S NOTE
I love the idea that we might perceive our environment, our contexts and in turn ourselves, differently, through the simple act of being lifted. When we can zoom out or look at something from another angle, we gain breadth and perspective. This could be particularly valuable in circumstances where what is framed in the close-up, is overwhelming or difficult. What might ‘flying’ mean beyond simply being off the ground? What do young people need to fly? What holds them down? How do they overcome a fear of leaving the ground? Who or what lifts them up? And why do some people get to fly, and others not?
Partnering with SAMH has brought awareness of mental health issues in young people to the heart of this project. We need to be better at providing space for young communities to dream, imagine, engage and fly. They will show us all how to move forward, through uncertain futures. Working on this project I have also gotten to know and observe the work of All or Nothing Aerial Dance Theatre, who make the seemingly impossible possible, along with Yas Clarke, Rachel O’Neill, Graeme Roger and Mike Webster, who too have helped this project lift off and stay airborne. But the real wings of this project are the young company, whose commitment, energy, openness and creativity are what has made all this a little bit, like flying. Nic Green