Feature: Hand Of

Sheffield based arts platform, ‘Hand Of’ is getting ready for its newest event on 15th May. Victoria Beardwood spoke to its founder about all things ‘Hand Of’… 

Being home to two universities, the city of Sheffield and its rich cultural heritage are often overshadowed by the dominating label of being a ‘student city’. 21-year old Louise Snape, founder of Sheffield based arts platform, Hand Of, aims to amend this, and to support and enrich the local community through innovative art events. “I wanted to get out of the student bubble – as excellent as it is - and learn about the city we’re actually living in”, she explains. “I try to fuse the creativity of local people with that of students as there is a clear chasm between the two”.

Snape has ventured to do this through various novel projects, such as an electronic ballet based on Brecht’s 'The Good Person of Szechwan', and 'Garden Institute', a rolling event and “glorified garden party”, to which the Hand Of team invites strangers to enjoy a patchwork of performances from musicians and poets.

The platform’s newest project is its most ambitious to date. Numerous endeavors in one, 'A Long Walk to Grimethorpe' is a commission for brass band and electronics, to be performed by the University of Sheffield Brass Band on 15th May at Sheffield’s S1 Artspace. It will culminate in a documentary made by notable cineaste, Ismar Badzic. Snape views the project as a means to “set up networks between musical communities in South Yorkshire”, putting on outreach events in Sheffield primary schools, alongside workshops and collaborations between local brass bands.


Despite fears that her young age undermines her experience, a project of this magnitude and originality certainly proves otherwise and makes one wonder if there’s anything Snape can’t turn her Hand (Of - sorry) to.
 

Watch the trailer here
Tickets available here

// Website
// Twitter
// Facebook

Composer: joesna.pe
Filmmaker: glovesandglass.co.uk 

Words by Victoria Beardwood