Simon McKeown reaches the tipping point
The tipping point is when things build up and get so big, they tip something over - we say 'it's the tipping point' when big change comes from lots of little things building up.
Do you remember a book that came out in 2000 called The Tipping Point?
For Simon McKeown, his own 'tipping point' may have come on Friday 3rd December 2010, International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
On that day 17 countries around the world, including England and Scotland, showed his arts project called Motion Disabled.
Also on that day, Simon was given the DaDaFest Artist of the Year 2010 award.
Jo Verrent talked to Simon back in 2009, after Jo helped show the Motion Disabled work outdoors in Leeds, as part of Light Night.
This article picks up where that one left off – and pushes Simon to describe what it feels like to have reached this 'tipping point'…
The award goes to…
It's mad, mad, mad -:) (Simon McKeown)
Firstly Simon, well done for the DaDafest award - how did it feel to get the award?
It was a complete surprise. I’d been working so hard, getting everything ready and teaching at the same time, and then arriving at DaDaFest for the weekend, I was a bit jet lagged! Shocked! It’s a huge honour.
What about showing your work in 17 countries on one day – how does that feel?
I love the idea that the work has been showcased across the world and that is part of supporting and pushing Disability Art. It was a huge effort involving so many people at VSA, DaDa in Liverpool, Teesside University, The Wellcome Trust and many other organisations and loads of individuals who formed the team, without whom it wouldn’t have happened.
You received your award on the same day as Motion Disabled was so widely shown – how did you feel?
I was in shock to be honest. There was as you’d expect a great deal of ‘production’ stress leading up to the showing of the work. We were dealing with different languages, formats, durations, statements etc and supplying the material very quickly. To make it even worse the weather was awful, lots of buildings were closed, driving was very difficult so it was a great pleasure to have made it there in one piece but then I was really stunned and taken by surprise by the award, amazed! It means a great deal to me. The next morning was great, relaxed and some really nice messages from lots of people. The award is also really a great thank you to the whole production team and all supporters and promoters of the project over the last 2 years since its inception.
Being a success
There is lots of information out there on how to become a success - I think these things apply to Simon…
Follow your passion
I can see your passion in your work - your passion for difference and a real desire to get people to celebrate that difference along with you.
How you deal with those who do not share this passion…
Simply I think people who don’t share my views and passion are missing out - big style. For many people nowadays there can be a lack of opportunity in meeting and perhaps working with people with disabilities. I just ask people to be open, and try to steer to a path to true inclusion, chaos and fun!
Do you do things because you are inspired, not because you are made to do them.
I don’t get the sense that you have a plan - you seem to follow ideas. How do you make sure things are still of good quality?
You’re right, I have no fixed plan, mad as that may seems. I want to create great art work and to play with people’s ideas about difference. I hope that I am and will continue to be successful. I've worked for over 20 years in the professional world - which helps me achieve quality
Strengthen your relationships
Whenever your name comes up, people always say what a nice bloke you are – and how you not only develop working relationships with people, but also proper relationships – going down the pub, cycling…
That’s very cool, many thanks for the comments. Essentially work is hard, making ‘stuff’ is hard. Computers are especially stressful for many people. It’s spoils it for me when I work with people and the relationship doesn’t develop. I love working with people who become good friends, and some of my best friends come from this.
Develop your resilience - the way you can come back from being knocked down
You must have knock backs – work that doesn’t work out, ideas that don’t get the money you would like? How do you deal with disappointment?..,
** Life is about knock backs and that’s what makes us appreciate the good times. I’ve had somewhere between 70 and 100 broken bones, and that makes you patient and you have to develop ways of getting on. You have to rely on yourself and take risks. I also never assume anything, so when something works out – that’s a joy!**
Stop stopping yourself
Most of us have an inner voice telling us we can’t do things, we are not good enough or that we aren’t yet ready. Do you ever have any self doubt? If so, how do you stop it?
Lots of doubt about lots of things, but not huge amounts about most of the work I do, that’s because basically I’m doing it for me and the wider community I associate myself with. I’m passionate about it. I fully understand though that what I do might not work out, might not be any good or might not be appreciated. I want everything I do to be spot on, but am relaxed if it’s a complete mess! I will try again, and that’s the beauty of art.
Balancing success
You have said before that making time for everything was hard – finding the right balance between your own arts work and your work for the university.
I have cut down my workload... It wasn’t easy to do and I might have to go back full time work again in the future if I need the money. It was a decision based on my health and wellbeing though – which was the major factor. The decision was very practical; it was more scary not to do something.
Teesside University is a great place to work and with their help I am now balancing things a bit better and I hope that means things will work out better in the long run as well. I hope I can continue to create innovative exciting projects and the extra time space will let me do that.
And there is more...
So Simon, to finish off, we want to find out more about what you have been up to and your future plans - can you tell us more?
DaDaFest International 2010 this year has been brilliant. I showed my arts project Motion Disabled and included a new person - Claire Cunningham - in that art piece
Additionally I came up with a new work, based on my junior school experience of dancing with a girl called Claire. I wanted to look at relationships and disability and put something on the BBC screens, that was bright and colourful and cheeky. Please see www.allforclaire.com for a teaser trailer and more detail. Working with Claire and DaDaFest was a great experience.
Just before these projects I completed a short film, called ‘The Beaten’. This is an 8 minute film which is about care, abuse and assisted suicide. It’s a tough film, starring the wonderful actress and comedian Liz Carr who is ‘in care’, and how she deals with this forms the focus of the film. Please see www.thebeatenfilm.com.
All in all it’s been busy year and I’d like to thank all the people who I’ve worked with over that period!
