A pair of Fife artists have launched a dementia-friendly video clip at a Dundee care home.
Visual artist Emma Ainsley and musician John Phillips created Harmonious Place, a combination of Dundee-related images and sounds designed to jog the memories of those with dementia who grew up in the city.
The launch party was held at Janet Brougham House with service users and staff present.
After the initial showing, the artists plan to make the clip publicly available for any care home or community group to stream.
Emma said: “This project was all about us working collaboratively.
“We worked to create a video soundscape that would be accessible and engaging for people working in care environments.
“We both work in care alongside our practices and we became aware of the TV that is shown in care homes.
“TV programmes are normally narrative-based, and narrative doesn’t always mean much to people with dementia.
“Also, a lot of the daytime TV has a negative vibe, which the service users pick up on.
“We thought we could create something that would be more accessible and more positive.”
The video shows clips of Dundee cityscapes, as well as hands intertwining to symbolise friendship and belonging.
Alongside the video there is a keyboard placed beside the TV, which residents can play.
When a key is pressed, a sound associated with Dundee, such as the sound of work in a jute mill, is played.
In addition, there is a paper collage showing landmarks and items associated with Dundee, which residents can look at alongside watching the video.
Emma and John began work on the project in March and spent months consulting with care home staff about what imagery and sounds would work best for the residents.
They are hoping to tour the country, introducing the video to other care homes and community facilities that cater to people with dementia.
