Celebrating creativity at Teesside

Travelling to Teesside from China led Jin on a voyage of discovery and an ambition to work in the television and film industry.

BA (Hons) Television and Film Production student Aijin Lu, known to friends as Jin, is among students about to complete degree study in the University's School of Arts & Media.

A selection of the students' work will be showcased as part of Creative Teesside, an annual event held to celebrate the dedication of those students.

Creative Teesside, held from May 26 to 29, is a celebration of the hard work, dedication and creativity of students from the University’s School of Arts & Media.

Jin's final project Breathless Love aims to highlight attitudes towards love and gender relationships, with her film following the story of a woman who falls in love with her female friend but feels compelled to follow her mother’s wish that she marry a man.

She said: 'I wanted to look at forbidden love, in the way that it is only forbidden because of cultural attitudes. Attitudes in China are often stricter and different to those I've experienced in this country, particularly when it comes to falling in love.

'I was hoping to show with the film how young people from some cultures often feel that they have to go along with the beliefs of others, such as their parents, even though they may not always agree with what they have been told.'

Jin, 23, who is originally from Sichuan, China, added: 'I first heard about Teesside University while I was studying in China as the University there has good links with Teesside.

'When I arrived at Teesside my first feeling was that it felt really different to the big cities in China, but there is a really good community feeling here.

'I have really enjoyed studying here and have been able to get involved in internships and get some valuable experience of working in the industry.'

The full programme of events for Creative Teesside includes

View work from all creative specialisms, including graphic design, illustration, multimedia and motion graphics, product design, furniture, interior architecture and interior design at 6.00pm on Tuesday 26 May, Athena Building.

English: The annual Cabaret of the Spoken Word event showcases live work produced by English Studies and Creative Writing students at 6.30pm on Wednesday 27 May in The Dickens Inn, Southfield Road.

Fine Art: The Art & Design Degree Show blends work from all creative specialisms, including graphic design, illustration, multimedia and motion graphics, product design, furniture, interior architecture and interior design, along with Fine Art expertise in painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking and new media. Work can be seen from 6.00pm on Tuesday 26 May, Athena Building.

History: Showcasing final-year dissertation projects and student work using a video installation to offer a flavour of the breadth and depth of research undertaken by students from 7pm on Tuesday 26 May, Constantine Gallery.

Media: The TV and Media Production Degree Show includes the media gala showcase with a selection of films screened to an invited audience of friends, family and guests, including industry including successful producers and directors. 5.00pm on Wednesday 27 May, Cineworld.

Performing Arts: Final year dance projects can be seen at 4.00pm and 6.00pm on Thursday 28 May at the Mercuria. Performance for Live and Recorded Media students will be involved in The Baltimore Waltz by Paula Vogel at the Hazel Pearson lecture theatre, Middlesbrough College at 7.00pm on Thursday 28 May and 11.00am and 2.00pm on Friday 29 May.

Entry is free to all Creative Teesside events. Book a place through arts@tees.ac.uk. School of Arts & Media factfile Teesside is the only University in the Tees Valley offering art and design courses – everything from traditional pathways to new and innovative programmes in indie games, fashion and textiles.

All courses are based on the town centre campus in which there has recently been a £250m investment and international art gallery mima is now part of the University.

Graduates have gone on to top positions in companies such as Aston Martin, Philips, F1, Dreamworks and Marvel Comics. Contemporary partners include Dance City and Hyper Island.

---

Visit the Creative Teesside website