YAH update

Latest project news is that I have presented my work so far to the project steering group, the response was very constructive and, I am pleased and relieved to be able to say, very positive. The next stage is for me to work up the preferred designs. What I am most excited about is that my idea for an underlying geometric 'code' for all the work, from sculptures to signs in both schools and across the campus, was agreed upon. This 'code' consists of a single arrow shape, repeated and rotated, throughout all the designs, sometimes large sometimes small, but always there at the heart of everything. That this is right motif for the project was revealed to me when I explained the 'code' arrow idea to Jonathan Dall of West Sussex County Council, he responded by telling me that as a result of the extensive archaeological survey undertaken prior to the construction of the schools, the only item of any historical significance or interest found on the site was a single arrowhead.

Latest Project News

It has been decided that due to problems co-ordinating space and timetables the workshop activities at the Glade and Michael Ayers will be postponed until next term, this will mean that they take place in the new school. This is, I think, the best way forward, it also presents possibilities for workshop activities related directly to the new building to happen in the building.

Workshops are proceeding at BRCC. Sessions 1 & 2 are all about mapping, students are using massive sheets of paper to develop work using anything and everything to create their own extraordinary maps fusing Bognor with the rest of the world. Session 3 has swerved off into a new direction focusing on signs and symbols. See the new slideshow in the column to the right (click on any of the slideshows to see a bigger version). The 'Identity Crests' created in the third session last week were very good, developing interesting ideas using bold colours, symbols, fonts and graphic layout. I plan to further develop these ideas in the next session.

Alongside, and in response to, the workshops I have been developing my proposals for the Arts Steering group. Appropriately enough, there are a number of different directions this could develop into. My intention is to use the presentation on the 14th Oct to examine the alternative destinations and make some decisions about what route to take. Here are a few taster pics of some sculptural ideas in development.

New school names

Anyone can submit suggestions for the new name for the new Primary school, have a look here and see what you think of the names so far, the more good suggestions they get the better. I have suggested Regis Primary or Linden Primary. Regis would have a simple crown as a logo and Linden would have a Linden tree (Linden is an old word for lime tree), I have also suggested that if Linden were selected that Lime trees would be planted all around the new car park and entrance. For more about Linden trees click here

Coat of Arms workshop

This morning I have planned a new workshop for next weeks YAH project session, first we will map out the identities of all the students using a mind map diagram then we will use the information gathered from the diagrams to create a family crest for each student, representing their identity. Click here to create your own online crest. I created my own online crest (see below) in about 3-4 minutes, I think it might need a bit more work.

Ideas for 'chevron' sculptures

Today I have been working on some 'Chevron' ideas, thinking about the most basic of wayfinding tools - the arrow. Then investigating it as form and space, see the short movies to get the idea. I am imagining that these forms would be quite large, some up to 5 meters high, installed at key points to lead people around the campus.

Mapping workshops with BRCC

The project is now underway, I ran 3 double lessons yesterday, excellent work from all the students, who will now begin developing their own individual mapping projects. I will see them all again on the 24th September (my birthday) to see how the work is progressing and show them my work so far for feedback. The teachers involved also enjoyed the experience and will be taking the mapping project on in their other year 9 lessons.

To any students reading this - well done for getting this far, on the right of this blog column there are a list of weblinks, click on these and explore the sites they link to, you will find lots of interesting maps and ideas. Keep checking this blog every few days for updates.

Homeless but coming up with a new plan

Looks like our search for a project home is to be fruitless, so a new plan will be devised to concentrate the workshops over 3 days. This we hope will be easier to accommodate.

The first workshop at BRCC is tomorrow, I will be introducing the project with a presentation and a short globe making session using Dymaxion Globes from my Global Footprint Project.
Pauline Ridley from the Centre for Teaching and Learning has contributed 100 large scale map style sketch books for use in the workshops, they will come in very handy. The folded sheet sketch books come from http://foldedsheet.wordpress.com/
Many thanks to Folded Sheet and Pauline for their help with this.