Workshop 5: Recycling

29^th of November 2007:

This workshop took place at Design Museum and had the topic of recycled material. The workshop structure deferred slightly from the first workshops for it took place in a new surrounding for the children.

During the workshop the spaces of the permanent collection and Design Studio were used. As an example for design-art out of recycled material Janna Syvänoja’s necklace was used. During the active working process the children produced together with the workgroup a candelabrum out of old toys and various materials.

Mariana Salgado introduced the children to a pilot version of an interactive stand.

Workshop 4: Savoy vase

20^th of November 2007:

The last workshop dealt with a Finnish design classic: the Savoy-vase by Alvar Aalto.

In the puppet show and further workshop procedure the Savoy-inspired fabric by Kimmo Sarje was used. Besides receiving more information about the backgrounds of Savoy-vase the children got the task to draw the form of the vase on acrylic boards. On a second acrylic board they could draw fancy motives, which came to their mind.

Again digital media were part of the workshop.

Workshop 3: Fiskars scissors

13^th of November 2007:

The topic of the third workshop was form and function. The children received further information about Fiskars scissors.

In the puppet show the Fiskars-scissors changed their “character” to flying and dancing scissor-birds. As a working task the children were asked to create their own scissor character. Afterwards they took pictures of their character and showed it to the web cam.

Workshop 2: Lokki textile

8^th of November 2007:

This workshop dealt with printed fabric, in specific the Lokki-textile (a pattern created by Marimekko-designer Maija Isola).

After Esa’s show (who introduced once more the design object) the children were split into two groups: in one group the children created their own “Lokki scenery” and the other group dealt with the web cam receiving more information about Maija Isola and her work. After 15 minutes the groups changed. Parts of the workshop were again digital media.

The Sound of Objects- Esineiden ääni

The workshop with Itä-Helsingin musiikkikoulu (music school in Helsinki) was organized in aim to create a soundscape from objects of Design Museum's permanent exhibition and to provide material that inspires others to create their own. Here we present the activities, participants and expected results.

Place: Design Museum - Permanent Exhibition
Date: 18.01.08
Time: 10am-1pm

Organizers:
Hanna Kapanen and Mirjam Krafft (Design Museum)
Rody Van Gemert (Itä-Helsingin musiikkikoulu) and
Mariana Salgado (UIAH).
Video Camera: Diana De Sousa (UIAH)
Sound: Matti Luhtala and Mariana Salgado

Participants: Five students from “Itä-Helsingin musiikkikoulu” around the age of 12 years.

Results: Some of the material recorded during the workshops will be shown for the public in the museum through an interactive installation. This is part of our on going exploration about how to make visible and accessible the material gathered from the workshops organized in the Design Museum.
We aim at making a short concert for the parents, inviting them to come to the museum during one afternoon in which we will also show how the materials recorded can be listened in connection with the objects exhibited.

The workshop in detail:
1) Introduction of the project, the workshop activities and the people participating (5min).
2) Brief guide to the whole exhibition highlighting the objects with which the children were going to be working afterwards (15min).
3) First task: composing with objects. We present some of the object (different shapes of drinking glasses and glass vases) and tell to the children they can take them and experiment with them for a while. The selection of glass objects included drinking glasses by Aino Aalto, Savoy by Alvar Aalto and Ultima Thule by Tapio Wirkkala. After they have tried to play with the glass items we ask them to listen to each others sounds and imitate it. This is repeated so that everyone gets the chance to test every object. The teacher will also give some examples. (20min)
4) Second task: Improvising with contrasts. We divide the group in two and present to each group a different pair of objects. They can try to improvise based on the characteristics of each object. After they have finished with one pair they receive another. All together there are three pairs of objects. The pairs of objects are: Teema mug by Kaj Franck/Hämähäkki(spider) by Bertel Gardberg, Fiskars scissors of Olof Bäckström/Lokki, a printed fabric by Maija Isola, Pastilli chair by Eero Aarnio/Stackable stool by Alvar Aalto. Children present to the other group the sounds they created. The other group can guess which object the piece of music represents. (1 hour)
5) Third task: Children wait with their eyes closed for a surprise. The UFO (Ilmankostuttaja) appears in the air. They improvise all together based on the object. The task is to create a story based on it. After they are finished they play the musical piece they created to Hanna and Mirjam who were absent during the working process. They try to guess what happens in the story. (15min)
6) Thanking the group, end of the workshop.
7) Lunch time. During lunch we will ask them questions about the workshop. Did they like it? Do they want to come again to the Museum? What was the best part of the visit?
8) After lunch they have one more chance to walk around the exhibition.