The shortlisted Youth Finalists for last year’s City Poems Contest were given the opportunity to participate in a workshop to turn their place-based poems into poetry videos this year. The workshop was led by mim collective, a multi-disciplinary artist collective comprised of members Daniela Rodriguez Chevalier, Michelle Martin and Dora Prieto. The Collective met with students virtually and also at a live, hands-on workshop at Moberly Fieldhouse (behind Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre) in South Vancouver, where EPFC North (Echo Park Film Centre Collective) is currently doing an artist residency, promoting creative and collaborative activities related to eco-friendly film, plant-based art and animation.
EPFC North generously provided the space, cameras and other equipment for the youth workshop, while Daniela, Michelle and Dora from mim collective provided guidance and personalized online resources to assist the students in developing their own creations.
Here are two of the terrific poetry videos that were produced. “Revival” by grade 12 student Katie Evans at Point Grey Secondary is based on her poem that was inspired by Pacific Spirit Park. The poem is read very expressively, backed by a natural soundscape of footsteps and rain and images from nature. I really liked her use of the lettered tiles at the opening and closing. An evocative poetry video!
Patricia Chen, a grade twelve student at Windemere Secondary, paired up with classmate Bianca Pham to do a visual interpretation of Chen’s poem, “Lost in Chinatown.” There are references to the cinematic experience and process at the start, then the video moves into an exploration of Vancouver’s Chinatown. The students integrated text throughout, including hand-written excerpts of Patricia’s poem. Local musician, Qiu Xia He of Silk Road Music, generously permitted the students to integrate one of their songs, “Ha Ya Xi Shui” (寒鸦戏水) as a soundtrack.
I was very impressed by the students’ vision, talent and creativity! Thank you to the shortlisted youth poets who participated in the workshop, as well as Dora, Michelle and Daniela of mim collective, and Lisa Marr of EPFC North for giving the students access to the space and equipment.