Inspired by Derek Walcott’s vision ‘The only nation I have now is my imagination’, Kinetika adopts a theme over the next five years that explores cities of the future with young people across the UK and beyond. It combines elements of carnival, street arts, music, circus, theatre and digital arts that builds each year and creates a legacy of talented new artists that are able to work across cultures and art forms. In 2008, we start with GermiNation – the seeds are sown…

2008: GermiNation – Sowing the Seeds for the Future

The goddess holds the seeds for the future. The “seeds” are qualities and values that we need to achieve our future - such as wisdom, vision, passion, communication and action. By exploring local cultural references (past, present and future), we aim to empower people to take part in making their vision become reality. There will be a site specific performance in each place where the stories and aspirations are shared, and the symbolic scattering of the seeds. Will they take root? What will they grow into?

The Mother of Imagination - Hibernation, Seedlings and The Seedlings Fly, designs for the Fulham Primary Carnival, created by Ali Pretty inspired using the original drawings of each class and year group in the school. © Ali Pretty 2008

2009: FasciNation – Seeing the world for the first time

2010: PolliNation – Exploring many worlds

2011: IllumiNation – Understanding the world around us

2012: ImagiNation – The Vision of the future, celebrating the new way ahead

Current partners:
Tower Hamlets Arts Team, London; Fulham Primary School, London; The Northcott Theatre & Respect Festival, Exeter; Weymouth Primary College Carnival; Stockton Carnival; The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich; Imagineer Productions, Coventry; The Thames Festival, London; Hackney Carnival, London; Plymouth