[dis]tinct

[dis]tinct is creating a buzz in East London. [dis]tinct is a multi-partnership arts and science project with The Jenny Hammond Primary School, which lies at the heart of a vibrant diverse community in Waltham Forest. Funded by Arts Council England and led by artists Sally Labern and Jacques Nimki, the project involved children and adults in the co-production of small public art works that are being hosted by households, businesses, organisations and faith institutions within a mile-wide radius of the school.

"[dis]tinct is creating a buzz in East London. [dis]tinct is a multi-partnership arts and science project with The Jenny Hammond Primary School, which lies at the heart of a vibrant diverse community in Waltham Forest. Funded by Arts Council England and led by artists Sally Labern and Jacques Nimki, the project involved children and adults in the co-production of small public art works that are being hosted by households, businesses, organisations and faith institutions within a mile-wide radius of the school."

"This has been so much more than an art project. [dis]tinct has linked the creativity of the school with the diversity of our community, with our wonderful insect artworks creating a bond between the two."

This app will allow everyone to enjoy exploring Leytonstone, as they look for our bronze sculptures dotted around the local community. The insects are as diverse as the people who live here – who knows who you may meet along the way - Deborah Gibbon, Head Teacher of The Jenny Hammond Primary School

Over a two year period the lead artists worked with The Bees, a diverse group of children including young new arrivals to the e11 community. The Bees became ambassadors of a journey to research and uncover links between the familial, the local, and the global worlds usually hidden to us as we go about our busy lives.

Using insects as a metaphor, [dis]tinct explores the ‘hidden’ cultural and bio diversity within our community and the richness and positive impact of continual migration to London.

A community trail of bronze insects, the mobile periscope named Beaky and new commissions by the two lead artists, [dis]tinct has a number of local events that stimulate a community conversation and deepen our understanding of the value of contemporary arts and science practice enabling teachers, children and the wider public to enjoy a dialogue with each other within a diverse local community.

In celebration of the hard work and enthusiasm of The Bees group who have created the wonderful bronze insect artworks, the [dis]tinct App uses the 30 Latin Genus names that around 250 species of Bee found in the UK are classified under, to represent each of the locations that the [dis]tinct trail insects can be found (together with an image of a species found in each classification).