This is the website for my personal work and projects and for my consultancy, lowwintersun, which specialises in co-operative and social enterprise new project development, project management, marketing and research. <Jan 2015 update> I am now employed 4 days/week for Carbon Co-op, though continue to pursue creative and freelance projects outside of that time. Jonathan Atkinson
I am a trustee of the Edinburgh-based chairty Highlight Arts. Formerly known as Reel Arts, the charity catalyses artistic collaborations in the context of war, building bridges between people and artists in the UK and those in areas of conflict. Projects include festivals, books and films in areas of the world including Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The latest project, Highlight Arctic, examines conflict in northern polar regions brought about as a result of climate change.
Beyond the Tipping Point? was a film project of ethicist Dr Stefan Skrimshire. The film, effectively the end product of his PhD, featured interviews with writers, philosophers and thinkers on the subject of belief and climate change. The central question of the film looked at the importance and usefulness of so-called ‘tipping points’, markers in relation to climate change beyond which there is ‘no return’. How useful are these in motivating action on climate change and what happens when these time-markers elapse? I assited Stefan in planning the launch night and promoting the film.
For three years I ran a music night called Garden City Social featuring local Manchester bands.
I worked with Andrew Simms, Ruth Potts and Corina Cordon of new economics foundation to curate artists interventions engaging with themes of taking action on climate change.
The key project Ration Me Up, was led by environmental performance artist Clare Patey working with nef climate scientist Victoria Johnson and designers Thomas Matthews. Ration Me Up consisted of a modern day carbon ration book featuring ‘carbon stamps’ that could be spent on a range of activities, up to a personal carbon ration ceiling for the month.
Launched at The Bigger Picture event on the South Bank in London with a 1940s-style performance, a follow up project website encouraged volunteers to try and live a month using the ration book. Their experiences were documented on the site.
I worked with nef to develop and seek funding for the project and I curated Ration Me Up.
As a member of Single Cell Collective, I co-curated Guerrilla Busking, an participatory, public music event that took place as part of the Futuresonic Festival, 2009.
Have a listen here.
Dr Carbon art installation for Collective Encounters at the Bluecoat, Liverpool. More information on the project here: http://www.encounters-arts.org.uk/index.php/four-corners-at-the-bluecoat-liverpool-july-2009
Six Rivers was a Single Cell Collective compilation album launched in 2009. I contributed a track as Invertor, ‘Don’t Make Any Sudden Movements’ and commissioned the design and promotional work from designer Loz Ives.
