MiK Dialectogram research and process

The Town hall dialectogram developed by Mitch Miller as part of our year long programme of pilot exhibitions, was the culmination of a significant period of initial research and development. Mitch is often described as the, ‘inventor of the illustrative style of the dialectogram’ – a large-scale, highly detailed drawing that reflectsand is shaped by the stories of people and places, individuals, groups and communities. While the final Town hall dialectogram, reflects something of the many meetings, interviews and conversations undertaken between Mitch and a wide range of local people. Mitch’s exploratory drawings of buildings, people, places, and visits to archives and collections, illustrates some of the process and many narratives gathered about the Town Hall as part of the many individual and group contributions. From those with specialist knowledge of the Town Hall and its history, to the memories of those who worked, performed, visited and exhibited there, the arising imagery reflects past activities, objects, and stories, as well as the voices of those newly introduced to the building and its history, pointing to future ideas and aspirations for its new life.

As well as the final dialectogram, the exhibition allowed us to share a window into the process of making, supported by visuals of other, important, associated material of preparatory sketches, note books, and workshop explorations.This window into the process of making, included in progress visuals and ideas offering insight to some of Mitch’s wider means of collating stories.

The Town Hall Dialectogram would not have been possible without the extensive and generous input of many contributors, from local individuals, schools, charities, EDLC staff, and wider organisations – too many to name, but all very gratefully acknowledged and thanked for their support and enthusiasm for the project.

The MiK Exhibitions and Community Engagement programme was a year long pilot of 5 exhibitions, realised through a collaboration between local groups in the community, artists and the Made in Kirkintilloch project. Each exhibition drew on local heritage knowledge and interest as a catalyst for exhibition-making. The programme was developed by Fiona Dean working with communities, artists and EDLC staff.