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Charting the journey toward A Graceful Death and how art examines our reactions to the end of life and it how it affects us.

project created by antonia rolls, project category Film/Video
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I have created an exhibition called "A Graceful Death", of paintings from the end of life. It is based on the last few weeks, days and day of my partner's death in 2007, and has grown to include the stories and images of others at the last part of their lives too. The exhibition travels the country and causes a powerful reaction in those who come to see it, a powerful cathartic reaction. The exhibition is about love, and dying, and hope, and life, and seems to have started a much needed discussion, through art, of what it means to die. I include some very wonderful poetry that is sent to me by members of the public who wish to contribute to the exhibition with their own thoughts and memories. All of these are included.

Neill Blume is a professional, talented and insightful film maker. He and I will film the progress and effects of the exhibition as it tours and grows. We will use two story lines.

First, we will film the hard work behind the scenes in order to get the exhibition up and running in a new venue.We will film work in progress in the studio, and chart the reactions of the public to what they see. We will interview those who have been involved in the exhibition by hosting it and ask what they thought of the experience. Neill will also speak to the families of those who have asked for a portrait of a family member at the end of their life, to be painted and included in the exhibition, and hear why they did this and what it means to them to have a portrait of their loved one at a very vulnerable time of their life.

Secondly, Neill will film me as I go to meet a new sitters at the end of their lives, to discuss painting them for the exhibition. He will film the way the painting progresses, and what we talk about, as we choose something to write about the sitter to go with the portrait. The film will include reactions from the family and friends to what is happening.

Neill and I want to make a film that is passionate, sensitive, powerful and uplifting, about an emotive but much underdiscussed subject - the end of lfe. We aim to make a half hour film and this costs us about £1,000 per finished minute. The costs are massive and include not only the filming, camera, and location costs but the months of editing, cutting, and production too. We need to cover our travel costs to meet those who have taken part in the exhibition. We need to travel to film the exhibition itself on its new opening nights and we will travel to meet new sitters.

We have found that A Graceful Death is such a uniting exhibition, it really gets to the heart of life, by celebrating the end of it. Our film will make you think. It will make you glad you are alive and it will show you that death is not something that can be avoided. "Some things won't happen. This one will." We aim for this film to move you to enjoy life and think on death. Thank you very much indeed for your support.

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funds arriving at home

Posted on 25/03/2011

I am receiving donations sent to me here in Bognor made payable to A Graceful Death. We received another £200 today, and we thank you. I am talking with more sitters for the A Graceful Death exhibition. We will be filming the conversation that I have with them regarding the painting I will do and what it means. Some are mid treatment for cancer and will be unsure of the outcome. Some have a terminal condition and will not recover. Some are survivors of the grieving process and are living again, breathing fully again, and moving on.

Anonymous funder

Posted on 21/03/2011

I have added the Anonymous Funder from funds sent to me, in my name. Thank you all for showing such interest in this project. I know it takes a bit of getting used to, and I am really happy to discuss it with you. I have been talking to funders and interested parties, and have found that the End of Life is something that resonates with most of us. As does Surviving, Living Life, and Loving Life. Thank you all.

An anonymous benefactor

Posted on 17/03/2011

I have just received £500 from an anonymous benefactor for the film project. Thank you very much for that, it will go straight into our A Graceful Death, the Film, account. I have had pledges from others and am very happy and delighted that it is all beginning to work. Thanks and keep it coming!
Name Amount
antonia rolls 700
antonia rolls 500
jeremyolsen 100
Eileen 25
SusannaR 20
Laura Dickerson 10
Name
Eileen
JenniferFADrewett
brunswickstudios

5%

£1355 Wefunded
of £30000 Target
6 Wefunders
49 weeks 1 day ago

  1. Pledge £10 or more

    Special thanks on the film credits and an invite to the launch,

  2. Pledge £50 or more

    1.) Special thanks on the film credits 2.) and an invite to the launch

  3. Pledge £100 or more

    1.) Special thanks on the film credits 2.) an invite to the launch 3.) a signed special edition of the DVD

  4. Pledge £250 or more

    All of the above and a signed quality print of whatever painting you choose from the AGD exhibition

  5. Pledge £500 or more

    All of the above and an original 6"x 4" Angel Painting of your choice (painted especially for you)

  6. Pledge £1000 or more

    All of the above and a personally designed presentation booklet of the poetry and writings from the exhibition

  7. Pledge £2500 or more

    All of the above and Afternoon Tea with Neill and Antonia either here in West Sussex, or in London

  8. Pledge £5000 or more

    All of the above and an oil portrait of yourself or anyone you wish for me to paint, size 16" x 20".

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antonia rolls