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Back to the family... | Across the border bridging the gap Tipperary
2008-11-08
Back to the family...
The first question this week was how to solve the problem of co-ordinating the video project. A good chat with Ann Henderson soon clarified an approach. It was clear that to take the children out of the class two by two to work was the best way to get a little quiet un-interupted moment with each individual . This was a time to really invite Tom into the project and give him some space to work on their creative projects with them while I popped in and out.
Back to the beginning of the day - we are all getting to know each other now, so they are used to and responsive to the warm ups I lead first thing in the morning, with Tom joining in too.
There was a general air of excitement and anticipation about getting back to the project and the group was soon asking me about the `Grandparents day` and when it would be. ( Some of them had clearly already approached their grandparents and had some positive feedback ). In our circle we all draughted a letter together, which would invite the grandparents to come in in to the school two weeks time. One of the boys suggested that we tell them to wear their Sunday best! What a great idea but we thought it might not be too polite.
Main Activity - Drawings of close family members which we are making a 2D house with shuttered windows ( this activity will run over the next one or two weeks involving collage, drawing, paint etc ).
The Video project.
This is where I feel the project really starts to tie in to my own practice: I have decided to film each child talking about their object and to do this I will focus just on a close up of their hands as they talk about the object, paying close attention to the expression and movement of the hands while they are speaking. As with photography what I love about this way of working is the little clues that give so much away. Background information... focussing on the hands also gives a certain anonomity. The objects that they have chosen fascinate me and the seriousness with which they explain them to me is quite something. There are so many hints and clues which suggest the history of emigration and the relationship between Ireland and the U.K, Ireland and the U.S ... this intrigues me and I feel it comes through in a very subtle way through the way that the children explain the objects to me.
We still have a few more filming sessions to finish as two of the boys had to leave this afternoon as there dad needed some help picking spuds!
I also brought in the medium format camera this week and begun taking outdoor portraits of them holding their objects.. will have to see how this works out.
Practical note.. I am going to work on editing the video piece with a professional film editor that I know. I want it to be done properly - I think it has a lot of potential.
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