Young Researchers create a BIG BANG at the British Library

An animated film, based on the research of young people into faith and religion, will be featured in the major forthcoming British Library exhibition, Sacred: Discover what we share (27 April - 23 September 2007). Thirteen young adults worked closely with visual artist Sara Haq and filmmaker Daniel Saul to create the film.

Sacred is a groundbreaking exhibition that brings together some of the world's most important and beautiful religious texts for the first time. Exquisite and rare examples of Jewish, Christian and Muslim sacred texts from the Library's collections will be presented alongside treasures on loan from other institutions in a unique and compelling modern context. Sacred marks the first time that sacred texts from these three faiths will have been displayed and explored together, side by side, in a major UK exhibition.

The Sacred Young Researchers project brought together a unique and diverse mix of perspectives, experiences and ideas of faith, across the spectrum of the Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The resulting discussions also included non-faith views and scientific theories. The Young Researchers, aged between 16 and 19, met at the British Library after school hours, and during holidays over 10 weeks for a series of creative workshops.

The animated film is based on graphic poems created by the Young Researchers edited by Daniel Saul and Sara Haq. The group explored ideas of science and religion, specifically looking at the creation stories from the perspectives of the three monotheistic faiths, as well as evolutionary theories, big bang theories and other ideas that the Young Researchers had encountered.

Each week the participants engaged in a wide variety of creative activities from role-play to photography, video interviews as well as writing and drawing. This enabled the young people to re-examine and challenge some of their personal beliefs.

Sara Haq, Lead Artist for the Sacred Young Researchers project, said: "The group responded with excitement and enthusiasm and particularly enjoyed the opportunity to learn from each other. The workshops also provided an extraordinary opportunity for the young people to meet and interact with British Library curators and to closely preview some of the treasured exhibits in the Sacred exhibition."

The Young Researchers initiative hopes to diversify the voices that contribute to, explore and interpret British Library exhibitions. Projects aim to familiarise young people with the library and its collections, give them access to its expertise and knowledge, and engage them with creative research, allowing them to think analytically and imaginatively and present their findings in inspiring ways.

For more information or images, please contact Ruth Howlett at the British Library Press Office: +44 (0)20 7412 7112 or ruth.howlett@bl.uk

For more information about Sacred , please contact Rona Levin at the British Library Press Office:+44 (0)20 7412 7111 or rona.levin@bl.uk

Editors Notes

Sacred is open from 27 April 2007 to 23 September 2007, every day. Admission to the exhibition is free and timed tickets are in operation. Advance booking is recommended online at http://boxoffice.bl.uk, phone +44 (0)1937 546546 or in person at the British Library. Further information is available on the Library's website at www.bl.uk

The British Library is the national Library of the United Kingdom. It provides world class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most comprehensive research collection. Further information is available on the Library's website at www.bl.uk

The Young Researchers were recruited from schools and colleges around London. They are students at City & Islington College, Latymer Upper School, Hammersmith, The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School, Borehamwood, Herts., St. Luke's Catholic Sixth Form College, Bexley and Central Foundation Girls' School, Tower Hamlets.

Sara Haq is a visual artist and photographer who regularly exhibits her own work and organises exhibitions nationally and internationally.

Daniel Saul is an artist filmmaker who works across animation, documentary and drama.