Play As Radical Practice, 2018 10:07 min. HDV, Stereo, 16:9
Play as Radical Practice was commissioned by the Serpentine Galleries as part of the Changing Play Programme.
Artist Albert Potrony worked with children aged 3 and 4 years old to explore the value and possibilities of free play in the school system and challenge what it means to be school ready.
Taking up residence at The Portman Early Childhood Centre, Albert developed a kit of multiple parts using transparent sheets, reflective roll, foam tubes, circles and triangles sourced from DIY shops and scrap stores. Over 12 weeks the children used and adapted the materials and developed their own lines of enquiry. They used cord as a tool to tie-up adults, roofing material to create space rockets and mirrors as stepping stones.
Reflective discussions with children, parents, teachers and play workers centred on questions of chaos and control, the effects of standardisation, the significance of relationships and the importance of space for play.
Albert translated images and conversations from the project into the Play as Radical Practice Toolkit, designed to support early educators to form solidarities with the children they work with and advocate for free play in the state school system.
Changing Play is an ongoing partnership with the Portman Early Childhood Centre in Westminster which brings together artists, children, families and educators to critically reconsider early years education and care.
Following his Changing Play residency Artist Albert Potrony developed the Early Years Atelier.
Potrony’s Early Years Atelier was a studio opening out into the park, a space where groups of children were invited to explore a range of open-ended materials according to their own interests.
The Early Years Atelier was designed around the principles of child-initiated play, hands-on experience and collaboration. Through the Early Years Atelier we aimed to celebrate and advocate for play in early years’ education.
Links:
www.louisapenfold.com/play-as-radical-practice-toolkit
www.serpentinegalleries.org/learn/changing-play/play-radical-practice
www.serpentinegalleries.org/learn/changing-play/early-years-atelier
www.serpentinegalleries.org/learn/changing-play/play-radical-practice-toolkit
www.louisapenfold.com/learning-with-serpentine-interim-report