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MAGIC ME’S ARTISTS RESIDENCIES IN CARE HOMES PROGRAMME Learning from Phase One, April 2015 – March 2016 Susan Langford MBE, Director, Magic Me
ContentsAbout This Report Magic Me Our Care Partner The Arts Partners
Context And Rationale For The Project Objectives
The Story So Far Punchdrunk Enrichment and Greenhive Lois Weaver and Rose Court Learning and Questions Raised
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Ourpartnerorganisationsare:
Photocreditcover:PunchDrunkEnrichments’sGreenhiveGreen-photo-StephenDobbieLoisWeavers’TammyWhyNot-Photo-ChristaHolka
Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 3
About this report
ArtscharityMagicMeisrunningatwoyearprogrammeofArtists Residencies in Care Homes,inpartnershipwithAnchor,England’slargestnot-for-profitcarehomeproviderandfourartspartners,allleadersintheirfield:PunchdrunkEnrichment,LoisWeaver,DuckieandUpswing.
StartinginApril2015theprojectaims:
•Toshowthatartistscancreateexcellentworkwitholderpeopleinacarehomeenvironment,bringingmultiplebenefitstoresidentsandtothewidercarehomecommunity.
•Todevelopnewtoolsandtechniquestosupportartistsinsuchactivityandtoopenthedooronnewpossibilitiesforcarehomes,asplaceswhereinspiringandimportantartiscreated.
PunchdrunkEnrichmentwereinresidenceatGreenhiveandLoisWeaveratRoseCourt,twoAnchorhomesinSouthwark,SouthLondonfromJanuarytoMarch2016.ResidencieswithDuckieandUpswingareindevelopmentwithtwofurtherhomes,tostartinsummer2016.
Thisreportdocumentsthestorysofar:themotivationsforthework;theplanningandpreparationtosetuptheresidencies;therolesofeachpartner;theactivityandworkmadeduringthefirsttworesidencies;thechallengesandlearningtodateandthemanyquestionsraised.Wehaveayeartogoandmuchstilltodo,andwillreportinmoredepthinSpring2017.
Thankyoutoeveryonewhohasparticipatedinandsupportedtheresidenciessofar.
Weareparticularlygratefulforthehonestfeedbackanddiscussionswehavehadwithourcarehomeandartspartners,andpeople’swillingnesstosharetheirstoriesandquestions.
Susan Langford MBE, Director, Magic Me May 2016
Thisprojectisfundedby:
4 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One
Magic Mewww.magicme.co.uk
MagicMeisoneoftheUK’sleadingprovidersofintergenerationalartspractice.BasedinTowerHamlets,eastLondonwerunanannualprogrammeofprojectsandeventsbringingtogetheryoungerandolderpeopleformutualbenefit,learningandenjoyment.Projectsareallruninpartnershipwitholderpeople’sgroups,schools,community,careandculturalorganisations,andwithindividualyoungandolderpeoplelivinglocally.
Ourproventrackrecordandexpertiseover26yearsworkingwithcarehomesforolderpeopleincludesthreedistinctmodelsofintergenerationalartspractice:
•ArtsProjectsledbyourownpoolofskilledprofessionalartists,bringingschoolstudents(juniororsecondary)intocarehomestoworkcreativelywithresidentsForexampleSonglines (2013)withvideoartistEllieReesandmusician/composerJulianWestledtothepresentation/performanceofnewsongsandvideoatHoxtonHallaspartofSpitalfieldsMusicSummerFestival.
•This is My Life(2007-08)PhotographerMarysiaLachowiczworkedwithresidentsofSilkCourtCareHome,theirfamilies,visitorsandcarestaff,tocreativelydocumentindividualolderpeople’slivesandchoicestodate.Usingarchives,familyalbumsandnewphotographs,eachresidentcreatedalifestorybookorposter,informingstaffaboutresidents’interests,thusenhancingcare.Theworkusedanintergenerationaldynamic,engagingfamiliesandstaff.
•Cocktails in Care Homes(2010-ongoing)OlderpeopleaskedMagicMeforeveningactivitytocombatlonelinessandboredomafterdinnerat5pm.Wedesigned Cocktails bringingyoungadultvolunteerstosocialisewithresidentsoveradrinkinacreativeenvironment.Wenowrunmonthlyparties6-7pmin9carehomesinfiveLondonboroughs.370residentsand271volunteersparticipatedin2015/16.
Inaddition,fromNovember2016MagicMeisrunningAction on Loneliness,aoneyearpilotprojecttorecruitandlink60adultvolunteerswith60olderpeoplelivingin6carehomes,combatingisolationandloneliness.Volunteersvisitweeklyforconversationorone-to-oneactivitieschosenbytheolderpeople.Action on Loneliness wascommissionedbythePublicHealthDepartmentoftheLondonBoroughTowerHamlets.
The Magic Me team on Artists’ Residencies were:Projectmanagement:SusanLangford,DirectorProjectmanagement:EllieWatmough,ProjectManagerProjectmanagement:SarahDean,GeneralManagerArtistMentors:JulianWest,SuryaTurnerObserver/Evaluation:MarineBegault,VictoriaHoggStorifyandPress:ErinMorrisConsultantTrainer:SallyKnocker,DementiaCareMatters
Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 5
Our Care Partner Anchorwww.anchor.org.uk
Withalmost40,000customersin1,000locations,AnchorisacharityandEngland’slargestnot-for-profitproviderofhousingandcareforolderpeople.Anchorprovidesarangeofservicesfromrentedandleaseholdretirementpropertiestoresidentialcarehomes,specialistdementiacarehomesandretirementvillages.Withnearly50yearsofexperienceprovidingqualityforwardthinkingcare,HappyLivingisnotonlyAnchor’sstrapline,butit’sreasonforbeing.AnchorwasthewinnerofBestCareHomecategoryintheNationalCareAwards2015.
Anchorbelievesthatactiveparticipationintheartscanoffertremendousbenefitstoisolatedolderpeople,improvinghealthandwell-beingwhilebringingnewmeaning,friendshipsandenjoyment.The“norightorwrong”dynamicoftheartsmeanstherearemanywaystorespondorparticipate,embeddingindividualexpressionandofferinganinclusiveapproach.
Artsengagementenablesstaffandfamiliestoseeolderpeopleinanewlight,learnmoreaboutthem,buildingbetterrelationshipsandimprovingcare.AnchorrecognisesthesebenefitsfromcurrentandpreviousartsresidenciesandprojectswithamongstothersArtsinthePark,theBritishMuseum,ManchesterAgeFriendlywithManchesterCityCouncilandRadioAllFm.Anchoralsoknowthattodeliverthesebenefits,andhavelastingimpactwithinhomes,artsactivitiesneedstobecarefullydesigned,runandevaluated,incollaborationwitholderpeople,staffandfamilies.
Greenhive Care Home inPeckhamandRose Court Care Home inSurreyQuaysarepurposebuiltresidenceswithen-suiterooms,providingresidentialcareandspecialistcareforresidentswithdementia.In2014GreenhivewasLondon’sfirstcarehometoberated‘outstanding’bytheCareQualityCommission.Silk Court inBethnalGreenandWatersideinPeckhamwillhostartistsresidencieswithDuckieandUpswinginAutumn2016.
Staff who worked with Punchdrunk Enrichment included:ConnieOppongMBE:ManagerEdnaRafferty:DeputyManagerActivitiesCoordinators:MarieBogui,LeilaFitzpatrickAdministrator:AshfordMensah
Staff who worked with Lois Weaver included:Manager:PatrickUmerahActivitiesCoordinator:ShawlShewarkabish
DebbieSharplesKirkbrideMBE,CustomerEngagementAdvisorwasprojectmanagerforAnchorfromtheconceptionoftheproject.
6 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One
PunchDrunkEnrichments’GreenhiveGreen-photo-StephenDobbie
PunchDrunkEnrichments’GreenhiveGreen-photo-StephenDobbie
Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 7
The Arts Partners PunchDrunk Enrichment www.punchdrunk.org.uk/enrichment
Sinceitsformationin2000,Punchdrunkhasestablishedaninternationalreputationasaground-breakingtheatrecompany,creatingepicworldsandimmersivetheatricalexperiencesthathavewonthecompanyawardsandapopularfollowing-theirLondonproductionThe Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable(2013/14)wasseenbyover200,000people.
Since2008,Punchdrunk’sEnrichmentteamhastakenthisimmersivepracticeintocommunities,creatingperformanceswithandforchildren,youngpeopleandthewidercommunity.PunchdrunkEnrichmenthasenjoyedwidespreadsuccess,workingwithover80,000youngpeopleandcommunitymemberssinceitsinception.PunchdrunkEnrichmenthasworkedwithover200schools,creatinggroundbreakingeducationalprojectswhichplacepupilsandteachersattheheartoftheexperienceandprovidearealcatalystforlearning.
Against Captain’s Orders,theirbiggestproductiontodateinpartnershipwiththeNationalMaritimeMuseum,wasexperiencedbyfamilyaudiencesofover33,000andwasnominatedfortheMuseumandHeritageAwards2016.
OtherrecenthighlightsincludeBeneath the Streets - Lost & Found (2015),thesequeltothe2014collaborationbetweenPunchdrunkEnrichmentandHijinxTheatrefeaturingstudentsfromHijinx’sAcademytrainingcourseforactorswithlearningdisabilitiesamongthecast.Beneath the Streets (2014)wasnominatedforBestProductionintheEnglishLanguageattheWalesTheatreAwards.
OverHalloween2015,CreativeBarking&DagenhamcommissionedPunchdrunkEnrichmenttoworkwithlocalresidentsonSt Ethelburga’s Hallowtide Fair,amagicalreimaginingoflocaltraditionsandlegendsatEastburyManorHouse.Prospero’s Island,PunchdrunkEnrichment’sfirstsecondaryschoolprojectwasaground-breakingcollaborationwithHackneyLearningTrustandHackney’sPetcheyAcademywheretheworldofTheTempestwasbroughttolifeforpupilstodeepentheirunderstandingoftheplay.
The Punchdrunk Enrichment team on Artists’ Residencies:Director:MatthewBlakeDesigner:JulieLandauSound&GraphicDesign:StephenDobbieProductionManager:BenHosfordEnrichmentDirector:PeterHigginEnrichmentProducer:AlexRowseEnrichmentOfficer:ElinMooreWilliams
8 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One
LoisWeavers’TammyWhyNot-Photo-ChristaHolka
Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 9
Lois Weaverwww.split-britches.com/tammywhynot
Tammy WhyNotwascreatedforaSpiderwomanTheaterperformancein1979,andhasbeenthroughmanyincarnationsintheinterveningyears.Inhericonicblondewigandpinkbootsshehashosteddiscussions,heldworkshops,andstarredinherownshows,exploringmyriadsocialandpoliticalissues.Aspartofhermostrecentworkonageingandwellbeing,Tammyhascollaboratedwitheldersacrosstheworld,includingduringaweek-longresidencyinZagreb,andthroughouttheongoingtourofWhat Tammy Needs To Know About Getting Old And Having SexinNewYork,Poland,andthroughouttheUK.
SheisalsothecreationofLoisWeaver:artist,activistandparttimeprofessorofContemporaryPerformanceatQueenMary,UniversityofLondon.Loiswasco-founderofSpiderwomanTheater,WOWandArtisticDirectorofGaySweatshopinLondon.Shehasbeenawriter,directorandperformerwithPeggyShawandSplit Britchessince1980.LoiswasnamedaSeniorFellowbytheHemisphericInstituteofPerformanceandPoliticsin2014andisa2014GuggenheimFellow.Hercollectionofperformancetexts,methodologiesandbiographyThe Only Way Home Is Through The Show: Performance Work of Lois Weaver,eds.WeaverandJenHarvie,waspublishedbyIntellectin2015.
Lois’sArtistResidencyatRoseCourtwasespeciallyinformedbyherworkwithperformanceasameansforpublicengagement,notonlyasTammy,herfacilitatingpersona,butalsowiththeuseofthe Long Tableformatforpublicdiscussion.
Lois’sworkatRoseCourtiscontributingtohersurroundingresearchofanewprojectindevelopmentUnexploded Ordnancesabouttherisksofunexploredpotentialinelders.LoisandPeggyconductedR&DinresidenceattheBarbicanCentreinApril2016,straightaftertheArtistResidencyatRoseCourtaswellasinvitingcontributionsfromaninternationalfamilyofeldersandexpertsfromNewYork,London,Glasgow,Tasmania,AlaskaandPoland.
FollowTammy’sonTwitter@whynottammy orfriendheron Facebook
Lois Weaver’s team on Artists’ Residencies were:Artist:LoisWeaverArtists’Assistant:HannahMaxwellFilmmaker:ClaireNolanObserver:MelissaBliss,PhDcandidateatQueenMary,UniversityofLondon
10 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One
Duckiewww.duckie.co.uk
DuckieareaLondoneventscollectivethatcreate“goodnightsout”.FromtheirlegendarytwodecadeslongweeklyresidencyattheRoyalVauxhallTaverntowinningOlivierawardsattheBarbican,theyare‘purveyorsofprogressiveworkingclassentertainment’whomixliveartandlightentertainment.Theycoinedtheterm‘eventculture’todescribetheiraudienceinteractiveexperiencesthatblurtheboundariesbetweentheatre,nightclubsandartyshowbusiness.
DuckiecombinebigshowswithatriptychofsmallsociallyengagedartsclubssuchasThe Posh Club(aweeklyglamorouscabaretforolderworkingclassfolk),D.H.S.S(LGBTyouththeatre)andTheSlaughterhouseClub(artsprojectforhomeless&vulnerableLondonersstrugglingwithboozeandaddictionissues).Duckiehavelong-termrelationshipswithseveralmajorvenuesincludingBarbicanCentre,SouthbankCentreandtheBrightonDome.
Duckie’s Artists’ Residencies team so far are: Director:SimonCassonProducer:DickieEtonVisualArtist:RobinWhitmore
Upswingwww.upswing.org.uk/
UpswingisoneoftheUK’sleadingcircusandaerialtheatrecompaniescreatinginnovative,culturallyresonatingwork,withadeeplyembeddedcommitmenttoparticipationthatconnectswithaudiencesbeyondtraditionaltheatregoers.Upswingaspirestoproduceexceptionalworkthattransformstheperceptionofcontemporarycircusintoanartformthatisdiverseinitsaudience,ideologyandpractice.
ThisprojectfullyresonateswithUpswing’sinclusivevision:tocreateCircusthatgoesbeyondspectacleandstretchesparticipant’sselfimage,encouragingtrustinthemselvesandothers.WiththisprojectUpswingwillcreateaplayfulenvironmentwherecreativeboundariesarepushedandtheycanturnthespaceupside-down,ifonlymetaphorically.Upswing’s Artists’ Residencies team so far are:ArtisticDirector:VickiAmedumeGeneralManager:CamilleBensoussan
Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 11
Context and rationale for the project
Invitingartiststomakeartworksorfacilitateartsactivitywithcommunitiesincarehomesforolderpeopleisnotnew.Individualartistsandartsorganisationshavebeendoingthisinpartnershipwithcareprovidersacrossthecountryformanydecades.However,whilstartistsinresidencebecamecommoninschoolsinthe1990’stherealgrowthinartsactivitybyandwitholderpeopleismorerecent.SupportfromkeyfundersincludingtheBaringFoundationandtheArtsCouncilacrossEngland,ScotlandandWalesandthesearchforfreshapproachesinthecareofpeoplewithdementiahavegeneratedincreasedinterestandmanynewinitiativesinrecentyears.Atthesametime“artsandcraftsafternoons”and“entertainers”stillticktheartsboxintoomanyplaces.
MagicMe’sownpooloffreelanceartistshavebeendesigningandleadingintergenerationalartsprojectswithcarehomeresidentsandstaffforover26years.Wedecidedwewantedtodosomethingdifferent.MagicMehaspartneredwithAnchorsince1992andweappreciatedtheirtrackrecordofinnovativeartsprojectswithusandinotherregions.Artists’ Residencies in Care Homeswasco-designedwithDebbieSharplesKirkbrideMBE,thenCustomerEngagementAdvisoratAnchorandsoughttobringunlikelyandperhapsmorechallengingartspractitionerstoAnchorhomes.
Insummer2014weapproacheddifferentleadingartscompaniesinLondontojoinus.WewerethrilledbythepositiveresponsefromnearlyeveryonewespoketoandwithAnchorandtheseartspartnerswemadeasuccessfulbidforfundingtoPaulHamlynFoundation.Ourpartnerswereinvitedtotakepartfortheirartistictrackrecord,theircommitmenttosociallyengagedpracticeandtheirdesiretoextendtheirpracticeintocarehomes.
Duringtheprocessofsecuringfundingandsettinguptheprojecttwoinitialpartnerschosenottogoaheadwiththeproject.Althoughverykeenontheidea,ultimatelythematchwasnotquiteright.Asweexploredhowtheresidencieswouldactuallyworkwefoundthattheprojecttiming,thefitwiththestrategicfocusofthecompanyorthedetailsoftheartistspracticedidnotdovetailwiththeneedsandsituationsofthecarehomes.Ourfirstkeyinsightwasthereforefundamental.Anartist’spracticemayrelyonparticipationfromthepublic,butremainverymuchinthehandsandthecontroloftheartist.Workwithpeoplewithdementianeedstobeperson-centred,witheachresidentsettingthepaceandconstantlychoosingandnegotiatinghowandwhentoparticipate.
Theeventualartspartnersfortheprojectwereallpreparedtotakeonthechallengeofmakingworkwithandforaverydifferentaudience,inaveryparticularenvironment,whilstkeepingtheintegrityoftheirownpracticeanditsuniqueaesthetic.
12 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One
Objectives
Bringingtogethertheexpertiseofthecarehomes,theartspartnersandMagicMeweaimedto:
•Provideresidentswithaccesstotoplevelartsexperience,eveniftheyarephysicallyormentallyfrailandunabletovisitgalleriesorperformancevenues.
•Challengetheageistattitudesthatbeingoldresidentswouldnotwishtoenjoyup-to-datework,andwouldfocusonreminiscingnotimaginativethemes.
•Challengeandsupporttheartspartnerstobringtheirpracticeintoacompletelynewsetting,workingwiththecarehomedynamicsastheywouldwithanynewcontextorhost,butnot‘dumbingdown’theirpracticeinanyway.
•ChallengeanddevelopMagicMe’sownpractice,learningnewtechniquesandmethodsfromourartspartners,andtheirpracticeinthecarehomes,anddevelopingourmodelofintergenerationalpracticewithadultsofdifferentages.
•Challengethewidercarehomecommunity,itsneighbours,andtheartsaudienceswhoalreadyfolloweachartspartner,showingthatcarehomescanbeexciting,forwardthinkingplaces,whereamazingthingshappen.
LoisWeavers’TammyWhyNot-RoseCourt-Photo-ClaireNolan
Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 13
The Story So Far
Building partnershipsAnchorhassixcarehomesinLondonandfourwereselectedtohostresidencies.Matchingoftheartspartnersandhomeswasdifficult,andeventuallybasedmainlyonpracticalitiesforallinvolved:timingandexistingcommitments,geography,spaceswithinthehomeswhichwouldworkforthedifferentartforms.Managersandhomeswerenotalwaysmatchedwiththeirfirstchoiceofpartner,anditwasalongwaitforhomeschosentohostartistsinthesecondphase.
InphaseonePunchdrunkEnrichmentwerepartneredwithGreenhiveinPeckham,whocouldofferaroominwhichtobuildanimmersiveenvironment.LoisWeaverwasmatchedwithRoseCourtinSurreyQuays.Theartspartnersinvitedcarehomestoviewtheirwork,tobetterunderstandtheirpractice.GreenhivestaffattendedPunchdrunk’sAgainst Captain’s OrdersattheNationalMaritimeMuseum,Greenwich,ashowdesignedforchildren,whichneverthelessdemonstratedthekindoftotalworldwhichthecompanyisknownfor.SilkCourtstaffandresidentsattendedUpswing’sBedtime Stories,atStratfordCircus,anotherfamilyshow,whichraisedmanyquestionsabouthowtointroduceaerobatics,magicandaerialworkintoacarehome.Upswing’sresidencyisplannedforphasetwotogiveagoodleadtimetoengagestaff,planappropriateactivitiesandundertakeriskassessments.
MagicMewasalreadyrunningCocktails in Care Homesmonthlypartiesattwoofthehosthomes,andstartedpartiesattheothertwoduring2016,sothatwe,andtheartspartnerscouldgettoknowtheresidentsandstaff,andbecomefamiliarwithhowthehomesoperate.WealsojoinedResidentsmeetingsandmetwithActivitiesCoordinators.AlthoughallarepartofAnchor,eachhomehasitsownpersonality.
Contracts and agreementsDuringAutumn2015athreewayagreementwasdraftedandre-drafteduntilallwerehappywiththeroles,rightsandresponsibilitiesofeachpartnerasweworkedtogether.ContractsbetweenMagicMeandeachartspartnerwerealsosigned.
Preparation and support for the artistsOn1stJuly2014theartspartnersmetwithMagicMeprojectleadersandDebbieSharplesKirkbridefromAnchortoagreetogetherthescopeoftheproject,discussourhopesandfears,andagreeaframeworkforhowwewouldmeasuresuccess.SallyKnockerofDementiaCareMattersco-facilitatedthedayenablingustoexaminecarehomedynamics,buildingpartnershipswithstaff,theroleofmeaningfulactivityandhowtodesignandpresentactivitiestogroupswhichmayincludepeoplewithdementia,thosewhohavesensoryimpairmentsorlowenergyorconfidencelevels.
14 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One
Wehadenvisagedanartspartnersfollowupsessioninearly2016,toshareexperiencesandquestionsfromthefirstweeksofthephaseoneresidencies,howevertheschedulesoftheartspartnerswerehecticandnomatterhowinadvancewestarted,wecouldnotgeteveryoneinthesameroom.SallythereforevisitedGreenhivetoobserveagroupsession,andofferedverbalandwrittenfeedbacktothePunchdrunkteamandtheActivitiesCo-ordinatorswhosupportedeachactivity.SusanLangfordandEllieWatmoughvisitedandobservedsessions,gavefeedbackandreflectedwiththeartistsonthedetailsofactivitydesignandhowtoengageparticularindividuals.
InadditionMagicMeofferedtoeachartspartneranArtistMentor.MagicMeartistsJulianWestandSuryaTurnerwereavailabletosupportplanning,reflectionandproblem-solving,toobservesessionsortalkonthephone,foratotalof21hoursperresidency.LoisWeaverchosenottoworkwithamentor.PunchdrunkEnrichmentvaluedJulian’sinputandexperiencewithpeoplewithdementia.
Evaluation processPartoftheschedulingprocesswasagreeinghowtocapturewhathappenedduringtheactivitiesanditsimpactonindividualolderpeople,thestaff’sunderstandingofthemandlifeatthecarehomemoregenerally.Wedidnotwanttoaddtostaff’spaperwork.ActivitiesCoordinatorsalreadynotetheengagementandreactionsofeachresidentinanyactivitytheylead,andtheArtistskeptaprojectdiaryorwroteweeklyShowReportsnotingtheactivities,people’sresponsesandanyquestionsraisedforthem.
MarineBegaultledthegatheringofdatatoevaluatethework;sheinterviewedkeycarehomestaffatthebeginning,middleandendoftheresidencies,observedsessionsandcollectedquotesfromartists,residentsandstaff.VictoriaHogg,anMAstudentatGoldsmiths,UniversityofLondon,observedweeklyPunchdrunkEnrichmentsessions.Marinethenreviewedallthedatatopulloutkeythemes,whichwereusedasabasisfortheendofprojectevaluationmeetingswiththeartspartners,andthewritingofthisreport.
The Residencies TheactivitiestookplacebetweenJanuaryandMarch2016.Thedescriptionsthatfollowwerewrittenbytheartspartners.
Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 15
Punchdrunk Enrichment & Greenhive Care Home
PunchdrunkEnrichmenttransformedaroominGreenhiveCareHome,withthecompany’strademarkdesign-ledattentiontodetail.Over8weeksresidentscametogetherasthevillagecommitteeof‘GreenhiveGreen’participatedinactivitiesandenjoyedmagicaltheatricalmomentsasthestoryoftwovillagesunfolded.Webegandescribingtheprojectaspartgameandpartsoap-opera.
DesignPunchdrunk’sworkisimmersiveindesign–spaceistotallytransformedvisually,withatmosphericsoundtracks,smells,texturesandlighting.Theambitionwastocreateabeautifulspaceforresidentsthatwouldenhancetheirenvironmentandprovideapointofinterestinthehome,butalsotransportresidentstoadifferentenvironmentthatwaspartofourstoryworld.
TheworldofGreenhiveGreenwasanEnglishvillagesquare,prettyandcalm.Eachwallfeaturedapartofvillagelife–thecastlewall,postbox,policetelephonebox,pub,villagenoticeboard,hedgerows,aparkbench,andaflorist’scalledButterCUPS(whichwasneveropen).Pavingcircledagrassycentre,onwhichalargelongwhitetablewithinvitingseatswasplaced.Overheadwasacolourfulcanopywithfestoonlightingstrungacross.WewereexcitedbyplacingaPunchdrunkenvironmentinacontextwhereparticipantswouldbenefitfromthemulti-sensorydesign.
NarrativeEachonehoursessionwouldbeginwiththeritualof‘wakingup’theroom.Theheadspeakerofthecommittee(ourleadfacilitator)wouldslowlycircletheroom,drawingattentiontothelightsinthehousesastheybrightened,thepolicetelephoneboxasitlitup,openingthepubdoorandhearingthepatronsinside.Thiswasaccompaniedbyaclassicalsoundtrackthatcrescendo-edwithallthelightsintheroom,andthearrivalofthe(toy)trainfromaneighbouringvillage.
TheactivityeachweekgrewfromtheunfoldingstoryoflifeinGreenhiveGreen.ThediscoveryofanotherlocaltowncalledBlarfordinWeek1,ledtothearrivalofaletterinWeek2challengingtheCommitteetoparticipateinaVillagesinBloomcompetition.AphonecallfromourMayorthenalertedustoplants,soilandtoolsleftinthepottingshed.
Theplannednarrativeaboutthehistoryofthetwovillageswasmadesimplershortlyafterwebeganthe8weekproject,aswerealisedthatitwasunnecessaryandhardformanyresidentstoretainfromweektoweek.Thestorybecameabouttwoneighbouringvillagesbecomingfriendsthroughexchanges–fromsendingDiplomacyCakestochoosingavillageanthem.
16 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One
TherecurringmotifsoftheabsentGreenhiveGreenMayorandtheabandonedButterCUPSculminatedinthefinaleweekwhereapartywasthrowntocelebratetheachievementsofourCommittee.Thepartywasattendedby89residents,staff,familyandfriends.TheMayorfinallyappearedinpersontocongratulatetheCommittee,coincidentallyatthesametimeasthewindowofButterCUPSwastransformedintoabeautifuldisplay.Inthefollowingdays,eachmemberoftheCommitteewasinvitedtoapersonalisedperformanceinGreenhiveGreen.ResidentshadacupofteawiththePunchdrunkEnrichmentteamtheyreflectedontheirtimetogether,enjoyedsometheatricalsurprises,andtheMayortoldalovestorythatledtotheopeningofButterCUPStoretrieveagiftforthecommitteemember.
The practicalitiesGreenhiveGreenwasbuiltoff-siteasmuchaspossibleandinstalledatGreenhiveover6days,insuchawaythatitcouldberemovedlaterwithscarcelyatrace.ThePunchdrunkEnrichmentteamoffivehostedtheweeklyworkshopeveryTuesdaymorningforupto8residents,andthenrepeateditintheafternoonwithanothergroup.Theyalsoexperimentedwithengagingonetooneresidentsintheirbedrooms-peoplewhowouldnotbeabletojointhesessionsduetopoorhealth,butgiventhetimeandenergyrequiredtofindanewwayofworkingtodothisproperly,itwasdecidedtofocusontheactivitywithinGreenhiveGreenitself.Atotalof21residentsparticipated,withanaverageof8residentsateachsession.ThetwoActivitiesCo-ordinatorssupportedolderpeoplethroughout,oftenjoinedbytheManager,andotherstaffasnecessary.
Reaching a wider audienceTheroomitselfalsoprovidedacalm,welcomingandstimulatingspace,andanongoingprojectpresenceandresourcebetweenactivities.Residents,visitorsandstaffusedittorelaxorholdmeetings.38externalAnchorstaffandsuppliersvisitedatleastonce.
PunchdrunkEnrichmentcreatedaweeklyGreenhiveGreennewsletter,reportingontheCommittee’sactivities,andsharingothernewsfromthevillage.ThiswasprintedbyGreenhivestaffandusedtostimulateconversationswithpeoplewhohadattendedtheactivities,andtoengagewithotherresidentsandstaff.
Atwitteraccount@GreenhiveGreenattracted1,193followers,bringingweeklynewsfromtheCommitteetoapublicaudience,andinvitinginteraction.Visittoviewthefullstory,readallthenewslettersandseeprojectphotos.
Devising the storyTheprojectwasdevisedcollectivelybytheprojectteamandEnrichmentteamandwasinresponsetotheroomandGreenhiveCareHome.Thehomeislikeaminicommunityandworld,soitfeltlogicaltore-lensethehomeasavillageandallresidentsasmembersofthiscommunity.Wefeltlikewewantedtoexplorearuralvillagesettingastakingthemoutoftheeveryday.
Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 17
Intermsofdesignthisalsoofferedusabrightcolourfulandnaturalpalettetorespondtoanduse,meaningwecouldbringinnaturalplantmaterials.Wewantedtofindawaytobringresidentstogether,tomakesenseofthisandwithintheworldofGreenhiveGreen:Whywouldtheymeet,whatwouldtheytalkabout,whowouldtheybeinrelationtotheworld?Importantlyhowcouldwebuildontheexperienceweekbyweek,makingitfamiliarbutyetnewanddifferent?Oncewehadanideaofavillage,thevillagecommitteefollowedquickly.Itwaseasytomakesenseofthisinourworld,whereparticipantswererequiredtomakedecisionsandalsoallowedforgreateragencyandcharactertobedevelopediftheappetitetodosoexisted.Acommitteetablebecamevitalandthisset-upallowedforasenseofcommunityandademocraticapproachtoflourish.This‘feelingpartofsomething’,beingonanequalfootingandhavingaspacewhereyourvoice(asaparticipant)wasimportanthelpedtobuildgroupandcommunity.ImportantlyforusitwasallthroughthenarrativelensoftheworldofGreenhiveGreen.
Bringing Punchdrunk’s aesthetic and experience to the homeThemostexcitingandchallengingthingaboutthisprojectwasmouldingourpracticetofitintothissetting.Althoughwespokeearlyonaboutnotcreatinganinstallation,weverysoondecidedthataninstallationwasvital.Asalways,westrivetokeepthequalityandintegrityandcomplexityoftheworldswecreateatthesamelevelasanyworkthecompanyapproaches.Onechallengewastocreatesomethingwhichwouldphysicallyallowusalltofitintothespaceandtoembodyamuchbiggerworldthanthefootprintofthespacesuggested.Intermsofactivitiesandnarrativewewantedtoremainflexibleandresponsive,avoidingdumbingdownbasedonunfoundedlevelsofexpectation.
Thisbecameaparticipantledconversationinvolvingthecarehomeandotherstakeholdersandultimatelyourresponsestohowworkwasreceivedbyresidents.Thekeytounlockingthisprojectforuswascreatingaset-upwhereparticipantscouldbethemselves,buthadthepotentialtotakeoncharacter.Aspacethatwasfriendlyandunintimidating,aplacewhereyouwanttospendtime.Thereneededtobeanunfoldingnarrativethatcouldbeimpactedandchangedandchallengedbyparticipants,butthatdidn’trelyonthemdoingthisorevenunderstandingittobesuccessful.
Atitssimplesttheprojectwasanicespacewhichwecouldmeetineachweekandshareacupofteaanddoafulfillingactivity.Onamorecomplexlevelitwasaplacewhereanarrativewasunfolding,anarrativeofwhichresidentsareatthecentreandaretheprotagonists,aworldofmysteryanddetail.Thekeywastocreateaslidingscaleofengagementthatallowedforresidentstoenterintotheprojectatapointappropriatetotheirabilities.Importantlywealwaystriedtoputthegroupandwherepossibleindividualsattheheartofanydecisionthatwasmade.
18 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One
PunchDrunkEnrichments’GreenhiveGreen-photo-StephenDobbie
PunchDrunkEnrichments’GreenhiveGreen-photo-PaulCochrane
Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 19
Lois Weaver & Rose Court Care Home
LoisWeaverakacountry-westernsingerturnedperformanceartistTammyWhyNotwasinresidencefor10fulldaysofactivityatRoseCourt,designingandhostingweekly‘TammyintheHouse’workshopswiththeassistanceofPhDcandidateMelissaBliss(researchingdigitaltechnologiesandageingatQueenMary,UniversityofLondon),projectassistantHannahMaxwellandfilmmakerClaireNolan.
ImpulseLois’sperformancepracticeemploysavarietyofworkshoptechniquesfocusedon‘impulse’asameanstorevealdesiresandcreatepersonaandfantasy.FortheresidentsofRoseCourt,thesemethodologiesweretransmutedintogentlepromptsforcreativeexpression,agencyandstorytelling.Theenvironmentandmaterialswerecuratedtoencouragespontaneousactsofimaginationandarticulationofforgottendesires,ambitionsandidiosyncrasy.
SpaceOneachactivitydayoftheresidencyLoisandherteamoccupiedadownstairslounge,leadingjustoffreception,openingontothegarden,andusedprimarilyforgroupactivities.TheworkshoproomwassetuparoundtheideaoftheLongTable,drawnfromLois’sperformanceresearchproject“PublicAddressSystems”(aseriesofopen-sourceexperimentalformatsforpublicdiscussion).
RoseCourtstaffwouldbring8-12residentsdowntotheloungetositaroundanarrowtable,allowingthemtohearandinteractwithoneanother.Thetablewascoveredinawhitepapertablecloth,withpensandcrayonswithinreachingdistance;participantswereencouragedtowriteanddrawonthetable,aspromptedandspontaneously.Thetablewouldalsofeaturethematerialstobeusedinthesession,addingtoasenseofanticipation,aswellasmaterialscreatedinpreviousweeks–pictures,photos,objectsetc.
Foreachsession,Tammy’s‘fantasywardrobe’–anarrayofbrightandglitzydressingupclothes,hatsandjewellery–wasondisplayintheroom,andparticipantswerewelcometointeractwiththeitemswheneverandhowevertheypleased.Participantswouldbewelcomedintotheroomfrom11aminthemorning,byLoisasTammy,Melissa,Hannah,andonthreeoccasionsvideographerClaire.
ActivitySessionsbeganwitharoundof‘BodyHoo-Hah’,acall-and-respondimpulsegamewhicheventhemorepassiveresidentswereabletoengagewith.Thiswasfollowedby‘Tammy’sTinyYoga’,aseriesofgentleandpositivemovementsandgesturesrepeatedbythegroup.ThisactivityencouragedinteractionandcollaborationbetweentheparticipantsandfocusedthemonTammyasagroup.
20 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One
Themainbodyofeachsessionfollowedadifferentthemeandfeaturedadifferentcreativestimulus,butallofthemweredesignedtoencouragestorytelling,imagination/fantasyandpersonalrevelation.
Round the HousesUsingapre-cutstencil,participantsdrewahouseonthetableclothandwereencouragedtoillustrateithowevertheylikedusingthepens,stickers,stampsandpastingmaterialsavailable.Tammypromptedstorieswithquestionsaboutparticularmemories,drawingfromcreativedecisionstheyhadmadeinmakingtheirhouses.Thesewereincludedindividualscrapbookscreatedforeachresidentandphotosoftheartworksweredisplayedatthefinalshowing.Latersessionsfolloweduponthehouses,providingfold-outcardversionswhichcouldbepersonalisedandincludeaphotooftheparticipant‘inside’thehouse.
Sending a letterParticipantswerehandedablankenvelopeandaskedtoimaginewhotheywouldsendalettertoiftheycouldsendonetoanyoneatall.Deceasedfamily,long-lostfriendsandcelebritiesprovidedthemajorityofresponses,followeduponbyTammyaskingwhattheywouldsayandwhy.
Hidden treasuresTammysetupatrayof‘kineticsand’,asatisfyinglytactilesubstance,whichconcealedaselectionofminiatureobjects(includingabroom,asewingmachine,anewspaper,apieceofcakeandatoysoldier).Participantspassedthetrayaroundthetableanddugaroundinthesand–theactionsoftheirhandswascapturedasvideoportraitbyClaire.Upon‘discovering’anobject,Tammyaskedthefinderwhattheobjectremindedthemofandencouragedamemoryorstoryinspiredbytheobject;thoughafterafewexamples,participantsnolongerrequiredprompting.
Porch SittingAfternoonsatRoseCourtwereusuallyspentinthelounge,withthedoorsopen,workingonparticipant’sscrapbooksandwritinguptheircontributionsoftheday.ResidentswerewelcometocomeandgoandengagewiththecreativematerialsattheTable,chattoTammyandeachother.Withinandalongsidethesesessions,Tammyemployedsomeofthetechniquesof‘PorchSitting’toencouragecontributionsfromtheresidents;theactofsimplysittingtogether,musingonaparticularsubject,commentingonwhatyounoticeorwonder.Thisprovidedamoregenteel,lessresults-focusedconversationalstyle,whichallowedresidentstorelaxintotheworkshopenvironmentandeachother’scompany.
Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 21
LoisWeavers’TammyWhyNot-RoseCourt-Photos-ClaireNolan
22 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One
ChallengesThepersonalnatureofLois’spracticerequiredthecollaborationofaconsistent,smallgroupofabout10residents.ThestaffatRoseCourtunderstandablywantedasmanyoftheirresidentstoenjoytheworkshopsaspossibleandtheneedforcontinuitywithinthegrouphadtobenegotiatedandrenegotiatedcarefully.Additionally,andinevitably,illness,practicalitiesandmoodsprecludedmostmembersofthegroupfrommakingittoeverysession.
Residentsexhibitedvastlyvaryingphysicalandmentalabilities,soitwasparticularlycomplicatedtotailorworkshopsthatwouldengageeveryoneallthetime.Itwasnecessarytoinvolvemuchmoreone-on-oneworkthanwasexpectedbeforetheresidencyandthecompletionofactivitiesrequiredconstantindividualsupervisionfromallmembersoftheteamandRoseCourtstaffinattendance.
Itwaschallengingfortheartiststosufficientlyarticulatethepurposeoftheartisticactivitiesasroutestostorytellingandsharingofself.RoseCourtstaffwerekeentoencourageresidentsandtherewassometimesadegreeofpressureplaceduponparticipantsbycarehomestaffto‘doitright’.
Further ResearchTheexercisesdevelopedwiththeresidentsofRoseCourthavegreatlyinformedLois’sresearchonageinganddesire,feedingintoherlatestprojectasonehalfofSplitBritchesCompany–Unexploded Ordnances.DuringaresearchanddevelopmentresidencyattheBarbicanCentreinApril2016,LoisredeployedthemethodologyoftheHidden treasuresworkshopwithagroupofeldersfromLondonandNewYork–inthisinstanceburyingslipsofpaperwithanonymous‘desires’writtenuponthem.
Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 23
Learning and questions raised
Learningdocumentedintheartists’andobservers’diariesisataverydetailedlevel,demonstratingtheattentiontothequalityofinteraction,materials,spacesandactivitieswhichalltheartistsbroughttoeachworkshopormeeting.
Readingthroughallthedataanddiscussingitinourendofprojectevaluationsessions,weidentifiedmany11recurringthemeswhicharelistedbelow,togetherwithexamples.Inthisinterimreportthereisspaceonlyforoneortwoexamplesofeach.
TheinitialsPDEPunchdrunkEnrichmentorLWLoisWeaveridentifytheprojectfromwhicheachquoteorexamplecame,whenthisisnotobviousinthetext.
Finding a balance between ritual and change, the habitual and the special. IntroducingtheTammypersonawashelpful.Shecreatedanexceptionalmomentorinterventionintoausualafternoonofsittinginthelounge.(LW,Diary,Week1)
…asMatthewwakesuptheroom,wegetsomeproper“oohs”and“ahs”withtheritualofthechangeinlightingandthemusic–morethanpreviously.(PDE,Observer,Week6)
Communication with ‘the outside world’ItisauniqueprojectforGreenhivebecausewe’veneverworkedwithatheatrecompanybeforeandit’ssomethingverydifferentforresidentsandstaffthatwe’llbelookingforwardto.(InterviewwithGreenhiveManager18/01/16)
Theuseofletters,invitations,thankyoucards,photosfromBlarford,phonecallsfromtheMayor,newsletterisaveryeffectivewaytobringelementsoftheoutsideworldintothecarehome(eveniftheseareimaginary).Theresidentsfeltspecialreceivinginvitationsandcards-someresidentsframedtheirs.(PDEObserver)
Leaving something behind/ presence beyond the moment Thenewsletter,peoplelovereadingit.IgodeliverittotheresidentsandmanyoftheminsistIstaywhiletheyreadit.Peggytookit,andwereadittogether.Shesawherphotograph.Theyreadandtheyremember.(GreenhiveManager,Interviewweek4)
OnememberofstaffwasgivenapinkcowboyhattoweararoundthehomeandthroughthatletresidentsknowthatTammywasthere.(LW,Observer)
Bringinginpicturesfromtheprevioussessionisagoodtangiblewaytoremindpeoplewhattheymade.Theyallseemedtoenjoyseeingwhattheyhadmade.Residentssometimesfeltproudandsurprisedattheircreations.(LW,Observer)
24 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One
The8panellednoticeboard(withphotosandpostersfromeachweek’sactivity)showed:Wherewehadcomefrom,Wherewewereheading.Itservedasaphysicalreminderofthenarrativeandtheactivities.(PDE,Artist,Evaluationsession)
Care staff relationships with residentsOneofthecarerswasincludedinthisexerciseandshespokeabouthersonbeingherhero.Itwasmovingbecauseyoucouldtellsheenjoyedsharingthisaspectofherlifewiththeresidents.Alltheresidentsalsolistenedcarefully.Itspurredsomeinterestfromresidentswhothenwentontoaskaboutherson.(LW,Observer,Hero’ssession)
We’relookingatallsortsofopportunitiesthatthismightbring.…sometimesit’ssomethingsmallthatyouseeinaperson,whichcanactuallyhelpyoutohaveafullpictureofthatpersonandprovideadequatecaretothatperson.Youalwaysfindsomethingnewaboutaresident:somethingthattheymighttellyou,somethingthattheymightdo,thatyouneverknew.”(PDE,CareHomeManager,Interview)
Theone-to-onewedon’thavetheluxurytodo,butIthinkthatwassomethingPunchdrunkdidhave:alotofstaffaroundtohelpandsupporttheresidentsone-to-one,andthatissomethingwedon’thavewhenwedoactivities.It’squitedifficulttospendtimewithoneperson.Wehavetothinkabouteveryoneandmakesurethateveryonegetsserved.(PDE,ActivityCoordinator,Interview)
Interaction between residentsMostparticipantscamelastweekaswell,soabettercontinuity.Ifelttherewasadistinctlyhigherlevelofcamaraderie,trustandengagement.Peoplecameinmoreopen,andtalkedovereachotherless.(LW,DiaryWeek5)
Itwasgreattohearthepoemreadbyaresident.Graceeagerlyvolunteeredtoreaditoutanddiditbeautifully.Residentslistenedcarefully.Thiswasagreatmomentasresidentsattentionshiftedfromtheirownpersonalactivitytosomebody-elsearoundthetable.(PDEObserverWeek4)
Accessing fantasy/the imaginary“Closeyourhandstogetherandimaginethereissomethinginsidethem”…most(people)wereabletorespondtothiswell.Ithinkthathavingtheirhandscuppedtogetherandthephysicalelementofitmadeiteasierforthemtoaccesstheimaginary.Therewasnothingtangibleaboutthe“imagineyouhadadifferentname”(previousexercise)andsosomepeoplehadahardertimeaccessingthispartoftheexercise.(LWObserverWeek8)
Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One 25
InthefirstsessionPunchdrunkbroughtamapofGreenhiveandBlarford.Eachresidentwasgivenacopyoftheimagewhilsttheydiscussedthevillages.Dixieenteredthenarrativeashesaid‘justgotmyfeetwet’whendiscussingtheriveronthemap.Similarly,Petersaid‘that’saBlarfordladyrighthere’–tooneofthePunchdrunkfacilitatorsshowingheisbuyingintothefantasy.(PDE,Observer,Week1)
RecognitionTammyrememberstheresidents’preferencesandmakesaestheticchoicesastowhatgoeswellwiththeiroutfits.It’sthesameoutfitseveryweekbutsheaddslittledifferentbitstoiteachweek.Tammyisverycarefultorespondtotheirparticulardesiresandtastes.Shepaysalotofattentiontothingsmatchingandtothingsbeingputonproperly.Thereiscareandvaluetotheseaestheticchoices.(LWObserver,Week8)
Matthewbeganthesessionbyintroducingeveryone.Ashedidthis,henotonlysaidtheirnameandpointedatthem,butalsodescribedwheretheyweresitting“andwelcometoAnnesittingbetweenLilianandMike”forexample)sayingthenameoftheresidentseachtime.Thiswasuseful,notonlyforthemorevisuallyimpairedpeoplebutseemedtoaffirmthepresenceofeachandeveryone,overandoveragain.(PDEObserver,Week7)
ValidationIwasveryimpressedbythismorning.Theyhaveaverygoodapproach.Tammydidn’timposeheridea.Shewantstogettheideasfromthem.(LW,InterviewwithActivitiesCo-ordinator,18/01/16)
Inweek4thereweresomediscussionsaboutconsentinthedressingupandphotographyactivity.Thefacilitatorswereveryspecificonmakingitcleartotheresidentsthattheydonotneedtodressupandthattheydonothavetohavetheirportraittaken.Evenifthey’veallhadphotographyandconsentformssignedbyfamilymembersPunchdrunkwereverysensitivetoreceivingconsentfromtheminthatmoment.(PDEObserverWeek4)
Controlled / uncontrolled space, formal / informal interactionsPorchsittinggaveusanopportunitytobemindfulintheproject,topracticesittingwithresidentswithoutagoaloragenda.Italsoprovidedopportunitytogettoknowthem.ImportanttoseethemintheirspaceandcontinuetheTammycharacter/sessionbeyondthespaceitself.(LW,Week1)
AsMatthewwheeledEdnaaroundthespacetoherspotonthetablehenamedeveryoneelsethatwasintheroomthathepassed-thisseemedlikeagoodwaytogiveEdnaasenseofthespaceandthepeopleinit.(PDE,ObserverWeek4)
Matthewhadhisstoolshortenedtobemorelevelwiththegroupwhensittingatthetable.(PDE,Observer)
26 Magic Me’s Artist Residencies Programme: Learning from Phase One
LikeinallPunchdrunkshowsthereweremanylayersofnarrative.Someparticipantsconnectedandsawit.ItwasgreattohavetheflexibilityandtodropnarrativesthattheCommitteeweren’tconnectingwith.
Feelings!Emotionalattachment.Howdoyoudealwiththehardthingsoflifeinacarehome.Needtoremindyourselfofthecontext.Joyfulmomentsaregreat–butyouwon’talwaysgetthem.(PDE,FinalEvaluationdiscussions)
Theartistcanbepulledbetween:makingtheirownwork,entertainingthepeoplewhohavecome,orfacilitatingtheolderpeopletomakesomething.Whenthereissilencetheartistcanfeelobligedtoentertainormakesomethinghappen.(LW,Evaluationdiscussions)
What could homes do to carry the work forward?Liliandrankherteaandsaidhowmuchsheappreciatedthedelicatechina.IthinkthisissomethingPunchdrunkhaveparticularlypaidattentiontothroughouttheproject:theaestheticqualityofallthematerialsandobjectsusedandpresentedinthespace.ItsometimesmighthavefeltlikeitwentunnoticedbutIthinkthatthisrigourreallypaidoff,assuggestedbyLilian’scommentregardingthechina.(PDE,Observer)
Bothresidenciesattemptedtobuildonwhatwasdoneintheprevioussession–whilsttheactivitywasdifferentanditwasn’tcrucialfortheresidents’torememberwhathadhappenedbefore,therewasageneral“journey”,“arc”totheresidencywhichworkedtowardssomethingbiggerandlargerandbuiltonthemesandstoriesexploredinpreviousweeks.Perhapsthereissomethingaboutchallengingresidentsandgivingcontext.Someresidentsdidrememberandwereabletoaccessthedifferentlayersofthestoriesandthemesexploredintheresidencies.Activitiescoordinatorssaidtheywouldtrythisapproachofongoingratherthanone-offactivities.
Residentsinbothcarehomesweregivena“treasurebox”or“scrapbook”withmemoriesfromtheproject.Thereisaphysicallegacytotheproject.Loisalsoleftmaterialssheusedintheactivities,forinstancethesandwithhiddenobjects.MarieinGreenhivespokeabout‘stealing’someoftheexercisesforheractivities.AtGreenhive,acommitteeofresidentscontinuetomeetonTuesdays,aroundalargetable,usingtheGreenhiveGreenchairs.TheActivitiesCoordinatorsandotherstaffhaveusedexercisesfromtheprojecttostimulatenewactivities.TheCommitteenoticeboardisstillinuse.
The role of the artists and their response to the care homeKeyquestionsraisedbytheartistsincluded:Howmuchdoyouneedtopindown?Howmuchcanyoukeepopenandresponsivetoparticipants?Howlongdoesittakefortheartisttofeelcomfortable?
The next phase
ThepracticalexperiencesandlearningfromphaseoneoftheArtists’ResidenciesisalreadyinformingourplanningforphasetwowithDuckieandUpswing.
Followtheirexperiencesonwww.magicme.co.ukor@MagicMeArtsontwitter
Further ReadingForinformationaboutMagicMe’sotherprojectswithcarehomesforolderpeoplepleasevisitwww.magicme.co.uk/downloads/reports anddownloadreports:Getting Everybody Included&Our Generations
Tolearnmoreaboutartsprojectswithincarehomesrunbyotherorganisationsandartistsvisit:www.ageofcreativity.co.uk
Magic Me18 Victoria Park Square,London, E2 9PF
Formoreinformationvisit www.magicme.co.uk/artists-residencies/