Lighthouse has provided eight young people from East Brighton College of Media Arts with a digital video training and production opportunity.

The project, which focused on the theme of genetics, was led by artists Terrry Taylor and Shona Illingworth and Genetecist, Robert Whittle from the University of Sussex. Genes and Makeup aimed to encourage its participants to think about the implications of the recently completed Human Genome Map in terms of their future in the next millennium.

Using genetic engineering to reduce famine in the third world, contrasts strongly with the idea of making tomatoes in the western world redder, juicier, with a longer shelf life. The possibility of identifying genetic defects during pregnancy and being able to rectify them instil a fear in us that we are condoning a new form of eugenics. A series of debates and practical workshops enabled participants to make short, creative, video works on the theme of their future identity in this scientific age.

Participants:

Evelyn Dilly,
Charlie Gray,
James Kelly,
Ricky McLean,
Shelley McNespie,
Ashlee Mitchell,
James Partridge,
Jade White.

Lighthouse is currently planning an exhibition of this work to take place in Autumn 2000.

See the student chat back mix

To receive information, please send your details to info@lighthouse.org.uk and put Genes and Makeup Exhibition in the header.e Short Cuts consortium took its first package of films to the Clermont Ferrand Short Film Market in February 2000: