Sub-plotting
Sub-plotting by Sarah Eyre, Ra Page and Deyan Raykov - photograph by Peter Hope
Sub-plotting was a multi-media visual arts project, game and exhibition which used 'in your pocket' technology, the mobile phone. Every Sub-plotting player was an artist and the exhibition featured at least 500 artists on its walls! To sign up the artist simply had to send a text, choose a theme and join the story. They then received the latest photo from that story on their mobile phone and had just two hours to respond with a photo to move the story on. Their photo was then sent to the next player in line, and so on. All photos were anonymous, what connected each person and their photo neighbours was the story which they had created. The photo was then printed and the growing stories were exhibited across Mid Pennine Gallery and Burnley Youth Theatre.
Guided by the artists a steering group of 15 young people aged 13–17 were the project managers for Sub-plotting.
Quotes from the visitors' book:
I liked this exhibition, because it’s a fun way to get everyone involved in art. And I like the whole idea of peoples photos becoming art. Natasha Broxten
I like this exhibition, it was nice to see how people respond to others pictures. Some of them I didn't really understand, but it was interesting to see. Saimoma Adomavicuite
I think that the exhibition is fun and the pictures are funny, I enjoy taking the pictures too … Kira-Beth Wareing
Excellent work. Cool idea very different and unique. Aisha
This exhibition is so inspiring, the interaction with the art itself was really fun. Love it! Frankie Bell
I love the idea! It’s inspiring and instantly makes people want to join in and get creative. I think it’s great that it connects people from all over and will keep an eye on the website to see where the story chain goes! Gemma O’Connell
Love the idea, would love to see the room full!! Get texting everybody Michelle Sinclair