Testing Situations | Experiences of dementia, assessment and art
Join us at National Innovation Centre of Ageing at The Catalyst and share your experiences of dementia, assessment and art.
### About this Event
Over the last year, artist Charles Harrison and the Testing Situations team have been touring around the UK to learn more about people's experiences of being tested.
For this final showcase event Testing Situations will be presenting an exhibition of learning from the tour alongside screenings of 3 artistic films made by, or in collaboration with people living with dementia (more details about speakers and contributors can be found at the bottom of this page). In the morning session we will hear from speakers about their experiences and watch three short films. This will be followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A. (More details TBC)
In the afternoon session you will be invited to engage with artistic outputs from the project and take part in a drawing and mark-making workshop.
The event is open to all and may be particularly relevant for people who have received a diagnosis of dementia, carers and for researchers, artists and film-makers working with themes of ageing, creativity and care.
This event is free. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
### Speakers and Contributors
Emma Harding is a social scientist at UCL Dementia Research Centre doing mostly qualitative research (home-based interviews and observations) with people with different kinds of dementia. She is interested in how people describe, rate and otherwise capture or express their experiences of having a diagnosis of a dementia and in finding new and innovative ways to do this. Emma will be moderating the event and discussion at National Innovation Centre of Ageing.
Charlie Harrison has been collaborating with researchers and building projects that foreground the creative strengths of people with rare dementias for the past 5 years. Over the last year, Charlie and the Testing Situations team have been touring around the UK to learn more about people’s experiences of being tested. For this event, Charlie will be introducing the ‘Neva’ an artistic film featuring 6 narrators with rare dementias, made as part of the Created Out of Mind residency at Wellcome Collection.
Mhari McLintock was a narrator for the ‘Neva’ film and has also recently participated in a number of research trials investigating the experience of a rare form of Alzheimer’s disease called Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA), which primarily affects visual and spatial perception. Mhari has a mantra of “if not now, when?” and likes to get around on a tandem. For this event, Mhari will be speaking about her experience of taking part in artistic and scientific research projects.
Clive Smith worked as a sporting coach, including training Olympic athletes and medal winners Susan Hearnshaw and Vernon Samuels. Clive was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2017 and was a narrator for the ‘Neva’ film. At this event Clive will be presenting a new film called ‘Genesis’ he has made with his key worker; artist and film-maker Dan Moxam.
Harry Lawson is a filmmaker from Sunderland living and working in London. Harry also works with My Life Films, a charity who make biographical films for people living with Alzheimers. His film, Margaret, is an observational portrait, filmed across several years of engagement with a care-home for the elderly in Sunderland. Margaret will be screened for the first time at this event and Harry will also be contributing a number of objects and images to the exhibition.
The Testing Situations exhibition will also be on display 10-6pm, Saturday 8th February.
This event has been funded by a Wellcome Public Engagement Grant, working in collaboration Rare Dementia Support, UCL and Newcastle University.
For more information about the tour please visit: [https://www.charlesrobertharrison.com/testingsituationsblog](https://www.charlesrobertharrison.com/testingsituationsblog "Testing Situations Blog")
