Falkirk in Phase 2!

What could a memorial to Covid look like? Where would it be, what shape might it take, how would it feel to be there? This is the question I have been asking in all sorts of different ways in my work across the Falkirk Council area. One thing that has become clear is the breadth of experience that people have had during these difficult years, and how that informs each person’s thoughts about ways to remember this time. 

At Larbert High School, the pupils made collages expressing how they had been pushed apart in isolation before coming back together. At the Forth Valley Sensory Centre, we created beautiful bouquets of flowers and shared thoughts on the kind of calm, green spaces that could be the right venue for a memorial. Carmuirs Primary School pupils drew imaginative settings for where they would like to go to remember someone. At Forth Valley College, students considered how we might express the impact of technology and screens on wellbeing. There has been even more from the Writers Circle, the Photography Club and so many individuals who have shared their thoughts and experiences.

All these drawings, writings, collages and stories have been taken together and been held in my heart as I have been creating a design for the memorial. We have chosen a wonderful site in Callendar Park which feels very calm, surrounded by nature and beauty. 

I am really looking forward to sharing the detailed plans with you all. I also want to share more of the story of all these conversations and creative workshops, and how these have informed what comes next. In May there will be a live screenprinting event in Callendar Park. We will be printing illustrated posters that tell the story of the project so far, to be taken home and shared by everyone who comes along. You can even take part directly, pull the squeegee and print your own edition. I’m hoping to announce the date for this very soon.

Please feel welcome to follow along for more information on @studiocaspar on Instagram or send me an email at hi@caspar.studio if you would like to know more.