In the autumn term Year 7 undertook a scheme of work on Climate Change
The topic chosen to incorporate a creative element was:
Visualise the World in 30 years
The objectives of the project were to:
During the term, images were collected and a visual artist from Tate Modern was recruited for a 3 day residency in the lat week of term. The Artist’s brief was to devise a simple participatory event for the whole year group which added value to their image bank. The chosen artist: Viyki Turnbull proposed the attached workshop format
Day 1: Sorting & Sifting images into territories
Day 2: Building mini-theatres using the images, words and mini-recorders
Day 3: Viewing the boxes and reflection
Day One: Pupils were brought into the Cafeteria Area. The majority of pupils were involved in opening up an Image Bank and sorting the images into the 8 Areas. One group was in the White Space managing the images as they arrived and trying to see if a story or narrative emerged from the pictures and words for their particular topic.
Day Two: Pupils were in their Science Classroom and were given a Box and a selection of images and a topic. Their task was to create 3D images and place them in the box in an interesting way that gave the viewer a 20 second view of the future. They were given examples of how to make their images look interesting.
One group in each class was chosen to make the Soundtrack for the box. This was a 20 second mini disc that was placed on the box to add drama to the images.
It was interesting watching how the classes responded to the challenge. Generally they got the idea and worked well together to create a story inside the box. A few had to be finished by the Artist because of the time constraint. The highlight of the task seemed to be making the soundtrack. This generated interest and excitement.
On Tuesday 17th March, Thomas Tallis School hosts a very special event entitled "Living Cinema" which has been created by a team of video artists, filmmakers and musicians and is a creative partnership between Eelyn Lee Productions, Thomas Tallis School and the Technology Strategy Board. Visitors can look forward to a "feast for the senses" whilst reflecting on our environment, the process of change and the notion of building a creative community. Live music will be provided by the Bollywood Brass Band. This event is a prelude to a further event (or series of events) in the summer, provisionally entitled "Food for Thought", which is designed to encourage parents to reflect on the value of creative learning.
On Monday 30th March, our Creative Tallis Action Research Group, comprising 8 students of varying ages and 5 staff members, are off to see the "Liminal" exhibition at Rivington Place, talk to the curator and one of the artists and spend the rest of the day planning our summer activities. We are keen to use the school building to house a series of disruptive installations in order to encourage everyone to think about the relationship between spaces and learning and what we expect such places to be like.