Tuesday 19th October

28 Students assembled in the art room for a workshop run by artist Olivia Webb and assisted by SCAPE art educator Josie. We were introduced to the concept by looking at a presentation called 'Resilience Training'. 

http://www.scapepublicart.org.nz/artwork/resilience-training-2021/

We started the project with a breathing and listening warm up and discussed the processes involved in the kaupapa. 

We leant about the whakapa of kereneo/clay. The clay we used was from Waikato. 

We learnt how to "Listen with our hands as well as our ears".

Students explored the clay to learn its properties before experimenting with pinch pot and coiling techniques. They were encouraged to think about the history of pottery. Pottery fragments from China have been radiocarbon dated to around 18,000BC.

The final task was to create small vessels formed in the palm of their hands. These will be used in Olivia's performances in the Botanic Gardens every Saturday from November 20th until 18th December. The opening performance starts at 2pm. The vessels will not be fired. As they carry water during the performance they will gradually revert to their former soft state.

Everyone loved how the clay remembered the shapes of their hands, making each vessel unique, and that they would be used in a real performance.

"I had so much fun at the SCAPE workshop. I enjoyed playing with the clay, learning how to make a pinch pot and a coil pot, and learning about the history behind them. I also enjoyed learning how to make the vessels for the art performance." Tayla Room 12

I really enjoyed the Scape workshop since it was fun. Working with the clay was cool but also really useful. I got to learn techniques which could be helpful in the future. The overall idea of what we made seems cool as well. Another great thing will be seeing our creations in a performance. I think the Scape workshop was fun. Yannamarie Room 7

 I really enjoyed the SCAPE workshop and being able to make a clay dish with my hand printed into it. I think that it is really cool that these clay dishes will be included in a big performance! Zoffya Room 7

 I think was a very exciting experience for me. I think it would be better if SCAPE was on for longer than just a day like at least 3 to 4 days, otherwise it was great. Shimani Room 14 

 I loved working with the clay. It wasn't just about creating the perfect art piece, it was about imprinting your hand so others could feel them even though we are separated because of COVID. Melissa Room 5

I liked the SCAPE workshop because I learnt two different techniques and figured out about the project that was happening in the gardens. Amelia Room 5

I loved working with SCAPE to create a very cool community art. Also learning all about the different centuries and how they worked with the clay. It was a great learning experience. Amelia Room 5

I really enjoyed going along to the workshop because we got to try new techniques with clay and then make the final project. Since I had never used that type of clay before I found the experience really interesting. The people running it were very nice and accommodating. Overall it was great. Sophia Room 5

Dear Josie and Olivia, Thank you so much for coming to Heaton, I really enjoyed doing the SCAPE workshop and trying all the cool and unique moulding strategies. I highly recommended this to people who love doing creative and unique things. When I arrived at the workshop I knew nothing about clay and now I know lots of ways of moulding clay and making interesting bowls/ cups. However, I would have liked to learn a few more ways of moulding. Chloe Room 5

I enjoyed the SCAPE workshop so much. I liked how we learned things like the pinch pot and the coil pot as well as the actual activity. It was a great experience and I had lots of fun and I would do it again. Thank you Mrs Taylor, Josie and Olivia. Anne Room 5

At the workshop, Josie from SCAPE came in and Olivia Webb. They told us about a new project they were working and collaborating on. We learnt a few different techniques on how to make a little clay bowl. Then at the end, we squeezed the clay bowl in our hand a bit, to create a handprint. The idea is that when they dry and other people use them to carry water, it will be like you are holding someone else's hand. It was a very fun and interesting experience. Emma Room 5