Conversations in Colour - Session 4

This week we split the group and, as they were reluctant to stop what they were doing, we remained with the same groups throughout. 

We began by moving around the space to warm up and then, in silence, created stills of particular scenarios - a family picnic, a football match.  This is a technique I learnt from Jacob La Sam Rose as part of last year’s Shake The Dust Project and team work is key.  Although this activity was out of everyone’s comfort zone, the group rose to the challenge and, after a few chuckles, we moved on to creating tableaux inspired by their work from the previous week.  The idea was to bring our written words into the physical realm.  Some of the participants chose to set their Goa-inspired tableaux in a verdant part of Burley while others became pigeons, orange throwers, and an angry Ringo.   

Then the group were asked to take a photograph to complement a piece of their writing and add to its interpretation in some way.  This involved much discussion and experimentation.  They thought about their writing and the photographs they were to take in quite abstract and imaginative ways.  Some very interesting images were created, most of which you will have to wait for but here is one to whet your appetite.

In coming weeks we will return to the tableaux and look at how they might be used as starting points for a reading of the pieces.  But the next session will involve something quite different.

Meanwhile, the group upstairs were catching up with their linocuts, as they had less then 45 minutes last time to start their prints! Soon the second and third colours were printed and everyone was looking with amazement at the beautiful work that was emerging on the tables.

Several people asked whether they could take work home and told me that they feel quite tired after cutting and printing for couple of hours! They did not know that this is fitness training as well! A suitable slogan for reduction printing might be – good for mind, body and spirit!

Afterwards we took photos of our work, because one thing is for sure, next time with the next colour printed the prints will be totally different.

Becky Cherriman and Milena Dragic