Welcome to Eye Matter Matters issue number one. This is a fortnightly publication for you to share experiences, engage with our extensive range of activities and learn more about Eye Matter’s objectives for its members. If you would like to contribute an article to a future edition, please contact: suzie@eyematter.org.uk
This edition includes:
Noodles of fun with Eye Matter.
Eye Matter event, Tate Modern, 21 Feb
Testimonial re: Tate Modern Audio-Described Tour on February 21st
Keep in contact with us through Facebook
Future events
- Eye Matter Choir is coming back
- private audio described tour at the Peter Harrison Planetarium.
- Tate Britain
- Climb the o2
Future on-line events
- fun and friendly social hour followed by music quiz with Steve Reed 27th February
- book club – Bookworms – moving to the 6th March
- audio described chair Yoga 5th March 6pm, followed by a social
Supporting Eye Matter
External activities
- DANCE CLASSES FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH SIGHT LOSS
Your contribution is valued
Noodles of fun with Eye Matter.
My personal experience by Fiona Musgrove.
On Saturday 10th February, around thirty Eye Matter members and volunteers initially met at the Cutty Sark DLR Station. Having preselected our meal from a very extensive menu supplied from Tai Won Mein Noodle House, we enjoyed catching up with old and new friends.
After the delicious supper, we walked across the road to the comedy club, Up The Creek. We were instantly greeted by its staff, at the door and shown to our reserved seats facing the stage. Eye Matter volunteers were on hand to ensure members were able to purchase drinks at the large bar area and escort people to the toilets.
At first the compère seemed very taken aback with the large number of ‘blind’ people in the audience but, he soon engaged us in the comedy. Three comedians performed and ad-libbed to the audience’s responses. These included a Sikh man, who initially came out with a strong Irish accent, a flamboyant American and an overweight woman (her own words). The laughter of our members resounded around the room and the applause was deafening.
One member said, “it was my first time in a comedy club, and I enjoyed it so much.” Another member commented, “I hope Eye Matter does this again.”
Eye Matter event, Tate Modern, 21 Feb
A few thoughts on the fabulous Tate event by Sarah Matthews
Spending the morning with Eye Matter at Tate Modern was a delight and really gave me a boost. It can be hard to engage with art as a totally blind person, especially when it was once a major part of your life, but I knew I was in good hands with Suzie and the team as they’re always so encouraging, supportive and understanding.
We met at Southwark station and were introduced to each other as people arrived which felt so welcoming. we then made our way to Tate Modern and were joined by the excellent Access Team. We started with introductions and as there were about 20 of us, all with different levels of sight, Tate gave us a room away from the main galleries which was great as there was a fair bit of distracting background noise. Anyone who needed a guide was paired up with a volunteer and we were all given audio headsets so once we went out into the busy building we could clearly hear what was being said. This was particularly important for at least one person who had significant hearing loss but so helpful for us all to be able to focus, not straining to hear if we were at the back of the group at any point in the tour.
We then went to the Turbine Hall to hear about Behind the Red Moon by El Anatsui, a complex installation made of 1000s of metal bottle tops. This piece fills the vast space and is in 3 sections so it was a bit like being shown 3 pieces of art. The describers had their work cut out, explaining the scale and form of it and did a great job. They told us about how the work was constructed alongside the concept and historical context which was fascinating. I particularly appreciated the time and effort put in to producing tactile boards which had small example sections of the artwork for us to feel. It allowed me to visualise the piece so much better and made me feel more connected to it. That was fantastic.
After that we went to see Babel by Cildo Meireles, which is a piece I’ve heard about but never experienced. We listened to the swirling sounds of the circular tower of radios and were told that the lighting in the room is kept very low so visitors focus on sound and can see the various coloured LED lights shining. It was so fascinating to consider how the tower was constructed (old tech at the bottom, changing to new tech as it rises) and what the artist was interested in conveying. We could hear a mix of constantly changing music and voices from all the different stations which creates a unique experience for every viewing of the piece. We then headed back to the room downstairs and a vintage radio was passed around for us to feel while we quizzed the knowledgeable staff about this exhibit.
We stayed in this room for a bite to eat afterwards before heading home. What a wonderful event which not only got us thinking about art, history and culture, but got us chatting to new people and left us feeling enthusiastic for the next outing.
Testimonial re: Tate Modern Audio-Described Tour on February 21st
“I was so energised and inspired by attending Eye Matter’s collaboration with Tate Modern in providing an audio-described tour of artworks by Ghanaian artist, El Anatsui, and Brazilian artist, Cildo Meireles . It was brilliant to meet other Eye Matter members at the barriers at Southwark Tube, and to walkthe short distance to Tate Modern,where we were given a very warm welcome……..there was much expertise in assisting all of us to get the best experience in being able to take in the depth of these brilliant artworks, through a variety of sensory approaches, and elevate our voices in rendering our own interpretations aloud. Having a group collaborative experience about what it all meant was fabulous”.
To read the full testimonial and learn more about the work Eye Natter has achieved please click here: https://www.eyematter.org.uk/testimonials/
Keep in contact with us through Facebook
Thank you to Sarah for running our amazing Facebook page, please use this link to join us.
https://www.facebook.com/eyematterofficial
Future events
All our events will be listed here: https://www.eyematter.org.uk/events/ but, here are a few highlights:
Eye Matter Choir is coming back
Eye Matter is delighted to announce
The Eye Matter singers is coming back.
Choir will be commencing on Wednesday 20th March
Further choir sessions will be on:
Monday 25th March, 1st April, 8th April ,15th April, 22nd April, 29th April, 6th May, 13th May, Wednesday 15th May, Monday 20th May and Wednesday 22nd May.
Performance: 25th May 2024
Venue: St Pancras & Somers Town Living Centre
If you have any song recommendations please send them to suzie@eyematter.org.uk
With subject ‘song’
private audio described tour at the Peter Harrison Planetarium.
Where: The Peter Harrison Planetarium, Astronomy Centre, Blackheath Avenue, London SE10 8XJ
When: Saturday 18th May
Meet and greet at 10:15am at Cutty Sark DLR Station
This is a 15-minute uphill walk to the planetarium
Cost: Tickets are £5 per person
At 10:40am the Planetarium Show – Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System will start:
- Experience the Solar System like never before – by travelling on a spacecraft that can turn the objects in space into sound!
- Prepare to be transported inside a special spacecraft to the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) to view the stars in the night sky, before
- lifting off into space to visit the Earth, Moon, Sun and all the planets of the Solar System.
- Unlike traditional planetarium shows the soundtrack takes the lead role. Each of the objects in space are represented
- with sounds as well as being presented with the incredible visuals.
- This will go on until 11:30am after which we can take a self-guided tour with an audio guide of the Historic Site, Royal Observatory Greenwich
Please bring a picnic lunch
For more information or to book your place contact Suzie
Suzie@eyematter.org.uk with subject ‘Space’
Tate Britain Tuesday 23rd April Free
Climb the o2 Thursday 11th July £25
For more information or to book your place contact Suzie
Suzie@eyematter.org.uk with subject ‘Tate visit’ or O2 climb’.
Future on-line events
Keep up to date with our activities :
https://www.eyematter.org.uk/events
Highlights include:
Tuesday 27th February from 6pm
fun and friendly social hour followed by music quiz with Steve Reed
Wednesday 28th February from 11am – moving to 6th March
Our monthly book club – Bookworms takes place
Tuesday 5th March from 6pm
audio described chair Yoga followed by a social
Supporting Eye Matter
Obtaining funding is always difficult for small charities but Eye Matter is constantly striving to ensure its services can continue to be delivered.
Two Eye Matter members have already raised over £500 towards supporting these projects. Please continue to donate as all the proceeds will go towards your future activities.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/eyematter
Any amount is welcome.
External activities
DANCE CLASSES FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH SIGHT LOSS
Learn contemporary dance through improvisation and self expression at Rambert, in partnership with EYES 4 POSITIVITY.
Where: Rambert 99 Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PP.
When: Saturdays, 12.30pm – 2.30pm
You can book on our website, over the phone or in person.
www.rambert.org.uk/eyes-4-positivity or call: 0208 630 0600
Cost: £7 per class.
For any questions or more information:
Email us on dance@rambert.org.uk
To find more about EYES 4 POSITIVITY please call 07730410788, email suzie@eyes4positivity.org or visit http://eyes4positivity.org
Your contribution is valued
As a member of our Eye Matter family, we are keen to hear from you. Have you recently participated in one of our events? Do you have any photographs to share with us? (please include a description). Have you attended a good audio descried event, or received excellent service, as a VIP? What content would you like included within this newsletter? Please send your articles to: suzie@eyematter.org.uk