In evaluating it was agreed with artist, staff and students that the last phase of the project was madness. There was not enough time to spend on bringing the ideas of the lads together. A dozen students all doing different work on digital/mixed media was enough to test a saint's resolve. It was ambitious to try and achieve so much in such a short period of time, but it was simply that the project generated so much creative output. At this point of the project more support could have been used to achieve the student's goals, or less time previously on the experiences they were enjoying.
The idea of an exhibition was voted by the lads of both groups and it was asked if the work could be shown in an art museum. There was difficulties in uploading posts at school on the blog, because of firewalled systems, and ideally it would have created a more open free dialogue between staff, artist, students, parents and friends. But, there was much excitement in the fact that the blog had gone global. The blog became the pivotal documentation and evaluation device, and allowed all involved to see what was taking place at any time. Both groups were competitive with each other and the aim was to harness that spirit through a collective installation which mapped the experience of going into urban environs and engaging people at work, and exploring rural ancient landscapes.
The school were visionary in taking a risk, allowing experimentation and play in order to explore the art of spontaneous experiential learning, stimulate individual and collective imagination and develop contemporary ways of storytelling. The students were consulted in a review session and it was agreed that personal interests and skills were drawn upon and developed, resulting in visible confidence, clarity in sharing ideas, writing accounts, drawing etc, together with a stronger sense of working as a team. A whole host of responses could be followed up, english, geographic, historic, art, languages, drama, mentoring, etc.
An exhibition space is being resourced in the town to link up with the Westbury Arts Festival Sept 2011, and it is hoped for the students to present their individual and shared input to the project with the participating and general public, other schools and parents and friends. Work shown will include this blog, photobooks, two films, sound recordings, music, drawings, documentary film of the process of the project, a Facebook page, artists & students photographs.
Social engagement artist is not well recognised as an art form, but one of the clear outcomes of the scheme was for the students to understand that art can bring about change, can make a positive difference. Some of the students demonstrated low self esteem and did not believe anyone would be interested in their work, so to see students excitement when over one thousand views were achieved in the space of three months was hugely worthwhile.
Who said never work with children and animals!!!? As lead artist being led by a group of 13 year old lads, I enjoyed every single minute, even the eye bulging moments were an education. It was made possible by working with a teacher who is visionary together and with Bev (teacher's assistant) who was hugely supportive, got involved and made things happen, together with other creative individuals and agencies. We worked as a team, and a sense of humour is vital... as this is all definitely extra curricular. As I said to the lads, you realise my job was really stressful - why Jill, they asked, because I replied, it is very difficult to take photographs when one is laughing so much!
Meanwhile, what is going to happen to Rabbit, Clown and the Black Sheep in the future?
The idea of an exhibition was voted by the lads of both groups and it was asked if the work could be shown in an art museum. There was difficulties in uploading posts at school on the blog, because of firewalled systems, and ideally it would have created a more open free dialogue between staff, artist, students, parents and friends. But, there was much excitement in the fact that the blog had gone global. The blog became the pivotal documentation and evaluation device, and allowed all involved to see what was taking place at any time. Both groups were competitive with each other and the aim was to harness that spirit through a collective installation which mapped the experience of going into urban environs and engaging people at work, and exploring rural ancient landscapes.
The school were visionary in taking a risk, allowing experimentation and play in order to explore the art of spontaneous experiential learning, stimulate individual and collective imagination and develop contemporary ways of storytelling. The students were consulted in a review session and it was agreed that personal interests and skills were drawn upon and developed, resulting in visible confidence, clarity in sharing ideas, writing accounts, drawing etc, together with a stronger sense of working as a team. A whole host of responses could be followed up, english, geographic, historic, art, languages, drama, mentoring, etc.
An exhibition space is being resourced in the town to link up with the Westbury Arts Festival Sept 2011, and it is hoped for the students to present their individual and shared input to the project with the participating and general public, other schools and parents and friends. Work shown will include this blog, photobooks, two films, sound recordings, music, drawings, documentary film of the process of the project, a Facebook page, artists & students photographs.
Social engagement artist is not well recognised as an art form, but one of the clear outcomes of the scheme was for the students to understand that art can bring about change, can make a positive difference. Some of the students demonstrated low self esteem and did not believe anyone would be interested in their work, so to see students excitement when over one thousand views were achieved in the space of three months was hugely worthwhile.
Who said never work with children and animals!!!? As lead artist being led by a group of 13 year old lads, I enjoyed every single minute, even the eye bulging moments were an education. It was made possible by working with a teacher who is visionary together and with Bev (teacher's assistant) who was hugely supportive, got involved and made things happen, together with other creative individuals and agencies. We worked as a team, and a sense of humour is vital... as this is all definitely extra curricular. As I said to the lads, you realise my job was really stressful - why Jill, they asked, because I replied, it is very difficult to take photographs when one is laughing so much!
Meanwhile, what is going to happen to Rabbit, Clown and the Black Sheep in the future?
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