Wednesday 19 June 2013

A Small Space

John likes small spaces. One of his favourites at the Shop of Possibilities is an old water butt, which he can fit into perfectly. I think it's extra exciting for him because he's one of the few children that are small enough to fit inside completely.
 
When the other children took notice, they decided they wanted to be a part of this, so they began to push him around the estate:
 
Rolling...

Others check to see if John is ok. He is!
 

Friday 14 June 2013

Word of Mouth

There's no doubt that children telling their friends about the Shop of Possibilities and Play Local is the best way to get new people involved. Word of mouth is always the best type of promotion.
 
Emily, one of our regular visitors to the Shop of Possibilities thought that it would be a good idea if she put together a booklet explaining what happens at the Shop of Possibilities and what new people can expect when they arrive.
 
She had been telling me that when she first came, the space was very different from how she had imagined it. Her thoughts were based on what her friend had told her, and she gave me the description in great detail, to which I replied that it would be interesting to hear how she would describe the space to those who hadn't been before.
 
At the end of the session I was presented with a very detailed leaflet, made by Emily. She included lots of her own views and opinions, and also some practical information like the opening times and the estates that we focus on. It was too good to not share with you all!
 
 

Thursday 13 June 2013

Asking Big Questions

Artists Helen Rousseau and Rachel Russell began their Play Local workshops on Wyndham and Comber estate last Saturday. The children became scientific investigators and began exploring big questions about the known and the unknown, the possible and the impossible. Have a look at what they got up to below, and if you want to join in then they'll be on the estate every Saturday afternoon throughout June.
 
One of the big questions.

Becoming investigators.

Exploring time.

Friday 7 June 2013

Half Term Noise Making

Artist Tom White returned to Southampton Way estate over the May half term holiday. He brought with him microphones, recorders, megaphones, and a load of other noise enabling objects and materials. The children were free to explore the area in whichever way they saw fit, by making sounds, recording them or listening to them. The recordings that the children made will feed into Tom's upcoming installation as part of the South London Gallery's summer exhibition At the Moment of Being Heard 

Here are some images from the sessions (Photographs: Tom White):

Using the railings to make sounds

Listening

Leftovers

Not that noisy, but chalk drawing is fun!

Taking over the playground

Chalk everywhere

Loud!