Past projects

Amazônia

In 2006, Paul Heritage began research and development with the Young Vic looking at ways of building a programme that linked artists and young people in the UK and in the Amazon region of Brazil to explore issues of climate change and environmental degradation.

The result was the Amazônia programme that took place during 2008. Produced in association with a range of Brazilian partners, the project combined trainings in cultural and environmental strategies, audio-visual documentation and a dance competition for young people in the Brazilian Amazonian region, with a community performance project in London at the Young Vic, a major production in the Young Vic's main house, and a seminar at London's Royal Society of Arts exploring the legacy of environmental activist Chico Mendes.

The project combined both community-based and professional artistic production, training, documentation, dissemination, social education, and debate. Completed in early 2009, its legacy is located both in the partner arts organisations in Brazil and the UK as well as in individual participants and audiences.

Partners:
Amora Produtos Culturais [São Paulo], British Council, EAHFLOR (Environmental School/Acre), Federação de Teatro do Acre, Filó Comunicação, League of Quadrilhas Acre, Royal Society of Arts, Instituto Alter, SESC [Brazilian social, educational and cultural agency], Spectaculu, TV Futura, Young Vic

Aim:
To celebrate the life and legacy of Chico Mendes through cultural action that raised issues of climate change and environmental degradation in UK and Brazil.

Main Activities:
Workshops in Acre, Brazil around dramaturgy/design/documentation led by Brazilian and British artists from the Young Vic, People's Palace Projects and Amora Produtos Culturais.

Young Vic/People's Palace Projects Special Prize to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the death of the environmental activist Chico Mendes for the Festival of the League of Quadrilhas, organized by SESC in Rio Branco/Acre. Prize given to the group that produced the best Quadrilha related to issues of climate change, environmental degradation and/or Chico Mendes. To compete for the prize, each group had to implement a socio-educational project in their own community as well as relate the theme to the design and narrative of their Quadrilha.

Festa! 3-week community project for 100 participants in Lambeth and Southwark, leading to 2 public performances. Produced by TPR Department at the Young Vic. Artistic Coordinators: Paul Heritage and Joe Hill-Gibbins [Young Vic Associate director].

Amazônia. Christmas show in the main house of the Young Vic. Written by Colin Teevan and Paul Heritage. Directed by Paul Heritage.

Chico Mendes Legacy: the role of the arts in environmental activism held at the Royal Society of the Arts, London. Presentation of the project with discussion, chaired by Paul Heritage. Panel included: Elenira Mendes, President of the Instituto Chico Mendes and daughter of Chico Mendes; award-winning composer, Jonathan Dove; Greenpeace's senior climate advisor, Charlie Kronick; fashion designer and activist, Dame Vivienne Westwood.

Documentation: DVD with five short films, produced by João André da Rocha and Fernanda Ferrari [Amora Produtos Culturais]. Includes short documentaries by young people from the Quadrilha groups and Dancers of the Forest, a twenty-five minute documentary by Fernanda Ferrari.

Project website: www.amazonia-london.com

Funders:
Arts Council England Grants for the Arts
ArtVenture
British Council
SESC [Brazilian social, educational and cultural agency]
TAM Airlines
The Embassy of Brazil in London
TV Futura
Young Vic