The latest exhibition at Dunfermline Carnegie Galleries is Sugarcoat - showcasing five short films created by local young people. Each piece is themed around different interests, current issues and life experiences. The material spans the topics of underage vaping, peer pressure, punk bands, mental health and a behind-the-scenes reflection process. I went for a look after returning books to the adjoining Carnegie Library.
Each display was designated as a studio and included comfortable seating. The films could be viewed on a TV screen with attached headphones. Studio 1 featured a drum kit and guitars, while punk music played through a Bluetooth speaker. The instruments were on loan from the Jennie Lee Library in Lochgelly, where budding musicians can borrow them for up to three months. The film on offer was a mockumentary starring local teenage punk outfit Reefer Madness. The band were interviewed in deadpan style, recounting their progress (or lack thereof) so far and speculating on the whereabouts of their mysteriously missing bassist. Amusing stuff, if not quite Spinal Tap. Moving on, the next installation had a mock-up of a young person's bedroom and a short flick about the perils of peer pressure. Smartphone technology and the all-pervasive social media group chats put a contemporary slant on the story but the underlying message was a familiar one. That's not intended as a slight. These issues are very real for today's youngsters and it's important they have an outlet for their voice. We now live in a digital world but the human nature at play hasn't altered that much. The next movie was set in Dunfermline Glen and had three characters, one of whom was upfront about his mental health worries. His two friends offered support and gradually revealed their own struggles. My favourite acted piece of the day. Apparently one in six children aged 5-16 has an identifiable mental health condition. Next up was a documentary about underage vaping. This studio had the biggest screen and the most chairs and was - I assume - the centrepiece of the exhibition. It's certainly a hotly debated political issue and one which concerns the future physical health of the population. Wall displays informed us that Primary 3 children have been caught vaping (a shocking statistic) and the single-use disposable variety accounts for 85% of national sales, resulting in 25 million items being discarded in Scotland last year. These throwaway products can be hazardous and are due to be banned nationwide next year. There is accompanying legislation on flavours and packaging, which are often cynically aimed squarely at the child and teenage market. Perhaps capitalism is already gearing up for the change. Last week I walked by the vape shelves in a B&M store and they were packed in little white boxes that resembled helpful medication. It's a great irony that vaping was once touted as a stepping stone for smokers who intended to quit tobacco use altogether.
The film contained contributions from local politicians and health professionals. Also interviewed was the owner of a vape emporium who used to work for the NHS! She subscribed to the aforementioned theory about vaping being a safer alternative for those who are going to smoke anyway. I'm sure the 50% profit margin (far higher than what can be gleaned from regular cigarettes) had nothing to do with it! Another common argument is that responsible retailers stock only fully-tested products. That doesn't mean however that the potential lesser of two evils is a desirable option. The whole situation reminds me of the alcopop boom in the 90s. Youngsters always find a way to rebel and the market adjusts to suit. Who knows what will come along next? Maybe they should develop a virtual reality system to allow people to experience a "high" on every conceivable drug. The final screening showed the young filmmakers talking about the project and there was the inevitable compilation of mishaps. One of the guys was actually on hand in the gallery and I chatted to him as I left. Despite my initial scepticism about being a couple of generations out of kilter, I really enjoyed the material and would recommend stopping by.
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