Sedie Musicali (Musical Chairs) A Visual Narrative 2017
Prologue I have made my own side table Jack E 0ctober2016 Context: Jack was exploring cardboard cylinders and different pieces of wood in the construction area. Jack after choosing to fully participate in the Wexford Festival Opera as part of a public visual art exhibition entitled Side Tables 2016 by completing his own functional life sized side table, had abstracted the cylinder, cup and saucer idea and designed his own version. Two cardboard cylinders around three feet apart joined on top by a narrow length of wood. Jack placed objects on top showing off his ideas of function, he seemed very proud. This image has stayed with me and was an inspiring moment. Jack who was three years of age at the time, had been inspired through his experiences and his peers. Jack began to respond and explore his own individual creativity, aesthetic and design. This was the seed that grew into Sedie Musicali several months later. As experience s built through explorative process s the purpose to the work on the cylinder began to lose energy. The revealing of a new purpose another aspect of the child s work - the introduction of the cup and saucer gave renewed purpose and energy. A new link to be explored. Function. September 2017 brought new dynamics, a new beginning of exploration and experiences. We started with a prepared environment and ambition. This time function and choice were introduced first. The children explored, played with the prepared curved cube (one cylinder divided into four and joined together) or seat part of their future chair later known as Sedia. At the same time the children visually explored colour, furniture design and cubism, all with a seasonal environmental and local connection. Even though this was a new group of children the essence of Side Tables 2016 was present. Michéal s Mam told of how his brother now in junior infants still used his side table and now Michéal will have the chair. She told of how together as brothers, they explored a book and discussed finding the primary colours. There was some children who had direct experience of the exhibition and had now turned four, smiling while they expressed knowledge of Eileen Gray. Jack being one of these students seemed horrified when Mainie Jellett was visually introduced telling that it wasn t fair on Eileen Gray, that I was to produce her image immediately. We placed the two images together and Jack seemed satisfied. Jack has grown to except Mainie Jellett s image, he has assured me Eileen Gray is still his favourite. As the children explored, the wider community set to work on the venues for exhibition. In total there were going to be thirty six chairs. John Rath from shoe Style gave his window happily for a second year, but as the chairs were life-sized it wasn t possible to exhibit the full exhibition. The festival was approaching. Madeleine Quirke the CEO of the chamber of commerce Wexford seemed a good place to start. Madeleine on seeing last year s exhibition, where we were with this
years and hearing of our innovation award for art in the early years, from Early Childhood Ireland, became instrumental in finding venues that were on the main street of Wexford town and not far from Shoe Style. Madeleine introduced the idea to Michael Hayes of Ramen and O Brien s Sandwich bar. Michael said he loved what we were trying to do and after one meeting gave us the two said venues. Momentum was growing. Madeleine surprised us with the knowledge that RTÉ Nationwide were interested in connecting the children s Exhibition Sedie Musicali to a feature they would be running on the Wexford Festival Opera. Momentum was growing. O Brien s window entered into a unique to Wexford and the Fringe Festival competition. O Brien s Sandwich bar received a certificate as a runner up and was mentioned in the local paper last Tuesday, October 24th. Business people and The Chamber of Commerce of Wexford town along with RTÉ Nationwide have supported a connection and citizenship with the children of a neighbouring town. The respect for the child and community within this whole process was of uttermost importance and connected at all times. The children were always given choice whether in colour, height of chair, choice of material and colour for square on seat. Choice of paint brush, choice of participation and how long, and choice of personal aesthetic. There was atmosphere, excitement, encouragement and social connections throughout these process s. The social connections continue to be explored as the children s exhibition Sedie Musicali continues till the 5 th of November 2017 when the festival s traditional fireworks will take place (postponed due to storm Ophelia)to provide more opportunity for connected citizenship and spectacular colour. I really appreciate The Wexford chamber for their connection with these ideas and support. I really want to thank the chamber for the opportunity to exhibit 'Sedie Muicali' nationally. I would also like to thank the Nationwide team for visually interpreting the children's learning s and art exhibition in the International Wexford festival Opera and the children's own county. Introducing the decorative arts further by revealing two new chairs designed by Eileen Gray. Also, these chairs are not found in the castle in Enniscorthy but in the decorative arts Museum in Dublin, giving further possible exploration. They also visually connected Ceadogán Carpets of Wexford, the Opera House and the Mainie Jellett connection again connecting Dublin, our capital city. The children were so pleased and have experienced the good will of the community around them. I really would like to thank everyone for valuing these experiences with children. Inspriation from both visual art exhibitions in the opera festival has led to funding from Wexford County Council through an arts and amenity grant. This will be more the artists work rather than the children s but inclusive of the child as the idea/response will involve knowing the child and mutual respect. The intention will be to exhibit through Enniscorthy Town.
Sedie Musicali 2017
John Rath popping out for a chat
Ramen very kindly gave this space to us to use as a base for setting up the whole exhibition in three venues Ramen, O Brien s Sandwich Bar and Shoe Style International.
RTÉ Nationwide, Carraig Briste and Killegney Early Years. Thursday 19 th October 2017.
RTÉ Nationwide crew are the first to sign our exhibits visitors book.
Visiting the Opera House in Wexford during the end of the festival and seeing Ceadogán carpets interpretation of a Mainie Jellett carpet design and cubist style. The children visually explored this carpet and collaged their Sedia afterwards. Visiting the Wexford Art Expo during the Opera Festival as part of the Fringe events 2017.
We were a runner up in this competition, through O Briens coffee shop.
The end