get closer to wildflower seeds

2011-12-06T05:50:00.001-08:00

Proudly receiving our Jodi Award for Digital Access for People with a learning disability for Touch Pods
From left Jonty Rix - who presented our award.
Sarah Jones chief Executive mencap liverpool, Ticky Lowe Artist, Marcus Weisen Jodi Mattes Trust.
We also received a commendation for Digital Access onsite for Touch Pods

Kevin tests a touch pod

2011-12-01T03:57:00.001-08:00

Click the link below to watch Kevin testing a touch pod -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHOylcuAs_g

Touch pod presentation

2011-11-27T07:06:00.001-08:00

Touch pod presentation

Testing 3

2011-11-27T07:01:00.001-08:00

Testing touch pods 2

2011-11-27T07:00:00.001-08:00

Touch pod testing video 17th November

2011-11-27T06:59:00.001-08:00

Feed back from touch pods 17th November

2011-11-20T11:17:00.001-08:00

We worked with same class and their teacher and support staff a few times during the consultation workshops in 2010 so we were a bit nervous about what they might think of the now - finished - except for final tweaks - Touch pods.
We showed the class the touch pods and told them that we were n't going to tell them what to do but just let them explore the pods and let them discover it all for themselves.

The recording is of all of their feedback but these are the notes I made when we were talking to the class.
What did they like?

Callum, " The one with the most things inside it, the fluffy one"

Jessie, " Comb sculpture with ridges that makes a noise"

Other likes - Laundrette smell - lavender

Further comments
Could nt open the bag (containing smell pot)
Wanted to know how to switch off sounds as children needed to hear them in isolation to know it was them making the sounds happen.

"Thank you"

If the touch pods were lent out would you be interested in having them?

For a short borrow - 2 weeks max
Lots of curriculum links
Would need some info so that we can check the same stuff goes back in the right order.
A hand book with diagrams for plugging in.
And so that they know what to put back where - but not too much info as it works so well when you can use your imagination.
Link objects to a story
One to one sessions
Use for different subjects
a quiz
a story
encourage movement
use to overcome tactile defensiveness
We should write in hand book "remember to use imagination"
"different"
"feels like a waffle"

We showed Jo - the class teacher how the pods plug into the speaker base and she thought it was easy enough to work and that with a simple diagram and " twist and pull" it would be clear.

In the afternoon June and Gerry came with George and Kevin from New Hutte Resource centre in halewood.
June and Gerry
"Well done"
" Unique - explore"
"sensory all senses"
"Intriguing"
Gerry would use for sessions
" curious, makes you want to get in there!"
"Surprise element"
" Each object itself needs exploring"
"Want to share, have a feel look touch"
"share experience"
"sound - making music"
"fun"
"could use in a session in conjunction with digital microscope"
"use in lots of activities, no set format"
" Link sound, craters, vibration"
" Use in music session - follow sound, copy beat"
Kevin was feeling the sound coming out of the base pod as he could nt hear it and then understood where the sound was coming from and started to play a beat on the crater pod - June followed his beat on his shoulder.

Sarah - Chief executive mencap liverpool who came along too

"Handling seems to help you express things easier"
" They really get your mind working - so many different things to interpret"

Testing touch pods - feedback recorded in session

2011-11-17T10:54:00.001-08:00

Testing the touch pods with the Royal School of the Blind

Response to TouchPods by cheapjack

Touch pods shortlisted for a Jodi Award!

2011-10-05T01:58:00.000-07:00

Great news
Touch Pods has been shortlisted for a Jodi Award
http://www.jodiawards.org.uk

The Awards Event is at Swansea waterfront museum on the 1st of December.

Touch Pod Testing Video

2011-09-29T09:03:00.000-07:00

2011-09-28T05:33:00.001-07:00

touch pods

2011-09-12T06:43:00.001-07:00

Touch Pods

2011-08-01T04:33:00.000-07:00

“Touch Pods” is a project which set out to make the microscopic yet amazing world of wildflower seeds accessible to a wider audience, including people with learning disabilities.
Run by Ticky Lowe for mencap Liverpool’s “Access to heritage project”, artists working with touch and sound were selected to work in consultation with young people and adults with learning disabilities. The aim was to find out what it was about wildflower seeds seen close up that would fascinate them as much as it fascinates scientists!
Through a mix of microscope and handling sessions, 3 d making and creating texture, sound workshops and a film, not to mention months of design and fabrication, we have come up with a new and very exciting piece of multisensory interpretation. It is for the National Wildflower Centre in Liverpool and it has come about through listening and learning from our consultant group.

Testing the "touch pods" at the National Wildflower centre 26th July 2011

2011-08-01T03:03:00.000-07:00

testing the touch pods

testing the "touch pods" at the National Wildflower centre 26th July 2011

2011-07-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

Pod three

2011-06-30T02:32:00.000-07:00

Fluffy pod 3

2011-06-17T04:57:00.000-07:00

work on pod 3 and base

crater pod - nearly complete!

2011-06-09T02:36:00.000-07:00

Pod with Mai s Objects inside

crater pod 1 and ridges

2011-04-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

The plan for "get closer to wildflower seeds" interpretation

2011-01-27T04:44:00.000-08:00

We are now close to being ready to show the work in process to some of the Access to heritage groups.

The design idea has come from the consultation meeting we had following the workshops and from everyones feed back.

There will be 3 pods which each make a sound when touched.

A pod with craters a pod with ridges and a pod which is fluffy or spiky - three textures from seeds we looked at - and are sufficiently different to each other.

The sounds they make will be created by touching the pods
The pods will be mobile so they can be on a lap.

Each pod will also have a smell associated with it.

The pods will be made to be explored and inside each one there will be objects with textures linked to the pod they are in - some made by artists Naomi, Ticky and Mai plus an assortment of other objects for handling which can all be taken out and explored and used in a number of ways.

Accompanying the collection there will be a book with ideas about how to use the objects and to link them to exploring seeds -

Pod with ridges

2011-01-27T04:22:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos of the basic pod number 2 with ridges before glueing and adding sound and upholstering, each fin will have a shiny and a velvety side - not sure of colours yet - over to Ross tomorrow.

Ticky

mai s art work for pods 1, 2 and 3

2011-01-27T04:10:00.000-08:00

Crater Seed Pod with contact mics

2011-01-26T12:50:00.000-08:00

Seed Pod 1 from Ross Dalziel on Vimeo.

Seed pod with craters

2010-12-07T06:50:00.000-08:00

Basic seed pod - now handed over to Ross

to add contact mics - then I ll have it back to paint orange and add some blue textured fabric inside the craters and another texture inside.

Experiments with ridges

2010-12-07T06:40:00.000-08:00

Contact Mic Array Plumage from Ross Dalziel on Vimeo.

Upholstery foam and glue with contact mics

In this first experiment if you run your hand along the ridges the contact mics amplify the sound of touching.

2010-10-13T11:48:00.001-07:00

Seed project Prototype from Ross Dalziel on Vimeo.

Next stage in the prototyping process... presently needs on board rechargeable power and a built in speaker and some signal processing code... next step is to design a skin for it rather than hacking an existing sculpture. Need to make some design decisions on whether to follow a wired or wireless modular system...

2010-10-06T04:27:00.001-07:00

Auduino & hacked Pedal prototype from Ross Dalziel on Vimeo.

Ross has been working on a sound prototype using an Arduino development board and an FX pedal. Its the first real step toward independant interactive handling sculptures we want to build. These sensors will be sewn into a seed based sculpture Ticky has made.

the Launch 17th September 2010

2010-09-27T02:25:00.000-07:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54375961@N08/sets/72157624919007833/show/
Launch of exhibition showcase the work made by our workshop participants.

launch event 17th September

2010-09-13T04:59:00.000-07:00

Access to Heritage is having a launch event at The National Wildflower centre on Friday 17th of september at 11am.To showcase the work made by the groups working with Ticky, Ross, Naomi and Mai earlier in the year.

The next stage of the project is making the new resource.

Artist feed back following the workshop sessions

2010-07-05T06:06:00.000-07:00

Research Discussion by cheapjack

Ross Dalziel

Ross has brought an instument which he has made out of one of my textile experiments. We have all tried it out - it is attached to a key board which alters the sounds which it makes when sensors inside it are manipulated.
The forum are enjoying making sounds with it.

Ross s job is to integrate sound into the seed interpretation.
We have discussed issues around health and safely and using very low voltages, recharging batteries, plugging into the mains - all of this will need to be worked out.
Ross has also brought a new invention with him - " drawdio" a pencil which creates sound when you draw with it - unfortunately it didn 't work today.
During Ross's workshops we used sound and visuals at the same time using the microscope images projected onto a screen and playing with magnified seeds and the textures which we brought along at the same time as creating sound using the textures and objects - this gave us the idea of creating an interactive event with room size projections and surround sound all created by the audience playing with microphones, sensors and a digital microscope.

Mai Thomas

Mai passed objects made in her workshops around for everyone to handle - woven textures, clay with ridges made by scratching and pinching.
Mai is interested in the textured surfaces and expanded/exploded views of seeds.
And touch with sound.
People with learning disabilities are clear about what they like and dislike so need a choice of ways to interact with the collection.
Mai points out that the collection needs a manual and a resource pack to make sure that when it is borrowed people can get the most out of it.

Naomi Kendrick

Naomi spoke about texture and the microscope and handling collection - in her workshops the most memorable part was her big red suitcase which the groups remembered as well where she had a wide range of materials available for making.
She noticed the use of attractive/repulsive textures - contrast
Soft things went down well.
People liked particular textures - and enclosing textures.
Putting in boxes. - Wearing them - as hats.

Gerry - support worker from Halewood said of Naomi's workshop that the service users liked the suitcaseand the choice of materials which was not limited or pre chosen and the object that is made is unique.
Gerry brought Steven who likes to rip things up - to one of the sessions so that he could try out a range of materials.
We discussed involving actual materials for making as part of the collection so that when people borrow it they can make their own seeds or textures or just explore materials which are non precious.

Naomi sees the collection as a big shiny bag with mixed contents - focus on the sculptural aspect of seeds, a collection of objects, engaging, attracting attention.

Ticky

As well as leading workshops I was there as an observer and helper for all other artist workshops and ran the microscope sessions - so I was able to observe the artists working with all of the different groups.
And ask a lot of questions too.
THe first sessions we did were handling sessions with a whole lot of objects which we all chose because they had textures like those of the seeds under the microscope.
These sessions sparked a lot of conversation about what we thought the textures reminded us of - they made people excited, enthusiastic and chatty - it brought people out of them selves some times surprisingly considering it was just a collection of random objects.
So we know that a handling collection alone is effective with out any artist made interventions!
it also helps that most of the objects are non precious and replaceable so people can handle them with out fear of breaking them.
I also observed that having contrast between materials is important.
I think that connecting a colour, a sound, a smell and a texture will provide a strong experience even for the most profoundly disabled viewer.
It has been a really interesting experience to work with so many diverse groups and I am sure that what I and the other artists have learned from it will lead to an exciting new piece of interpretation for the Wildflower centre.

Feed back from Workshops

2010-07-05T05:48:00.000-07:00

Sue Manager at Halewood Day centre

" Service users talking about the project, really excited."

Sound workshop went down really well.

Service users were engaged with the project; end product and different projects( sound workshops and tactile workshops)
so service users could choose which workshop they wanted to participate in.

Feed back from staff - Tammy, Phil, Kenny, Alicia, Gerry and June.

all talking about the project, would like to see more.

Phil said " It was a different form of Art"
"NIce environment - the Wildflower centre lent itself to the project, would like to do again because it was so different"

SPace was big, plenty of room for people to move around in.

A number of Sevice users with challenging behavior where able to access the projects.

Small groups worked well.

June
" Tactile, fun, informal, plenty of choice, materials, colours, different textures, went at service users pace.

Consultation workshop 16th June 2010

2010-07-05T05:30:00.000-07:00

Following the workshop sessions the artists met together with our forum group from Halewood to discuss what we had found out from the workshops and our ideas for making an interactive piece of interpretation based on wildflower seeds under the microscope.

sound and film made in workshop mixed by Ross Dalziel

2010-06-07T02:34:00.001-07:00

Here's a mix of recordings taken across 3 sessions of seed handling.

Some recordings are sounds made in direct response to watching and making videos with the USB microscope, projected on screen.

Ross has taken the some of the nicest video material and combined it with the different session recordings and in some cases timed sound events with the moving image.

Ross is now trying to work out how to build modular units that sit within sculptural forms that generate similar textures and sounds independently.

WildFlowersRunThroughCables from Ross Dalziel on Vimeo.

Seeds Synths and Pedals

2010-05-24T15:15:00.000-07:00

Ross Dalziel and Ticky Lowe used home made contact mics, guitar pedals and a MicroKorg synthesiser to generate sound from handling the collection. Ross is working on editing together recordings that will become the soundtrack to video captured from our USB microscope.

Here's a rough flickr photo mix of some unedited sounds from recent workshops.

Mai s Observations

2010-05-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

Evaluation of the seed handling workshop held on 18/3/2010
At the Wildflower Centre, Liverpool with adults with learning and physical disabilities.

The day consisted of two groups one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Each group were introduced to the project and the work of the Wildflower Centre. The groups were then shown seeds under the microscope with the images enlarged on both a television and projected onto a screen. Participants were encouraged to handle the seeds. A range of different objects were placed on the tables and the participants were encouraged to handle them and match different textures to the images of the seeds. They were asked to handle, think and talk about texture and explore the individual character of each object.

Observations

• All participants responded well with direct support.
• They explored the textures of different objects and recognised a variety of different surfaces when they handled the objects themselves or had different textures placed on their hands. The majority communicated through speech and others by using different facial expressions.
• Often participants would smell the object as well as exploring through touch.
• The majority of the participants made a direct link between the projected image on the screen and the actual seed in the petri dish.

Outcome of the workshop

• It gave the participants an opportunity to explore objects using a multi sensory approach.
• An opportunity for their feelings to be observed, listened to and recorded.
• One to one focus and communication.
• Raising self esteem and confidence.
• The opportunity to share different experiences with others in a small group.
Summary of workshops

It has been a fascinating experience getting closer to seeds and exploring them in minute detail. It has been a positive experience for all concerned and we have all delighted in the variety of shapes, textures and potential for life each tiny seed has to offer.

I have observed the absolute joy and amazement that people have expressed whilst handling different materials and they have shared their discoveries openly within the group.

My observations and areas to explore in the proposed handling collection are:

• Surface manipulation
• Everyone focused on the moulding and shaping of forms.
• Textural contrast and similarities.
• Smell
• Size and intimacy of objects, nurturing and cradling forms, passing from hand to hand.
• Constructing and arranging shapes, on top and inside, sometimes layered.
• Bright colours, selecting and layering.
• Making comparisons to everyday experiences the familiar, ‘this reminds me of’……..

ticky 's texture workshop

2010-05-19T05:48:00.000-07:00

Exploring Texture

2010-05-17T04:01:00.000-07:00

I am Naomi, one of the artists on the seed handling project and I just wanted to add a few thoughts and photos about my experiences so far.

I have been carrying out workshops with lots of different groups exploring texture at The Wildflower Centre. These follow an initial session looking at seeds enlarged by the microscope (and verbally describing them) while handling objects and textures that I felt connected with the enlarged seeds appearance.

The texture workshops have been going well and I have learnt a lot from them, particularly Ideas and suggestions for what our finished artwork may be like at the end of this project.
During each of the sessions I have begun with a reminder of the enlarged seeds by handling textures and objects relating to them. Then each person in the group was able to choose materials of their own from my big red suitcase to make their own textures with. The suitcase was full of all kinds of soft, fluffy, smooth, shiny, sparkly, rough and even slimy things. The idea was that everyone could apply combinations of textures to a surface or base, however they wanted. I wanted the surfaces to have a 3d element like the seeds, so there were a selection of cardboard tubes, egg boxes, paper plates, and scrunch able paper, foil lined bags. At the end of the workshops we had a look/feel/listen to what everyone had made.

I really enjoyed the language we were creating through texture, the use of the handling objects and materials was a great way to communicate with one another - exploring our likes and dislikes by combining objects and materials, inspired by the seeds but becoming something new and exciting. I felt very at home in selecting the materials I would bring along and introducing them to the group, this relates in to my own art practice in which I attempt to communicate an idea through materials that can be interacted with, and often appear in unexpected combinations. I am always fascinated by people’s response to materials, how their imagination runs with them, and the multiple ways in which they find connections to that material or object. There is also a great deal of unexpected pleasure in being able to hold, smell, and even wear a material, for any audience.

‘Wearing’ materials was one of the first things I noticed during the workshops, people in the group enjoyed feeling materials, on their head, around their shoulders and having their hands enveloped by something rather than just touching with their fingers. The joke shop rubbery monster hand I had bought, along with some hats, but mostly just different random objects worn as hats were very popular.

Soft things worked well too, feathers, fur, and soft fabrics were used a lot in the work made. There were objects made that had a inside and an outside, layers or box like arrangements of textures that meant something inside was revealed, such as fur and feathers nestled inside the empty egg box spaces.

Shiny, reflective, holographic materials (reflective card and wrapping paper) were another favourite material.

I had brought along some oasis (a kind of dry green spongy material used to arrange flowers) This reminded me of the surface of some of the seeds but also of the childhood thrill of poking my fingers into blocks of it at my grandma’s, who is a keen flower arranger, and being told off for it.

I think that an important part of the workshops, and something to keep in mind for our finished piece, is that naughty excitement of fully exploring through touching, hearing, smelling and wearing materials - where day-to-day life, and gallery and museum experiences do always often allow.

Below - I have selected some of my favourite photographs from the workshops so far; feel free to leave your comments!

sound workshop with Ross

2010-05-13T04:45:00.000-07:00

wildflower seeds under the microscope

2010-05-11T02:36:00.000-07:00

pebbles on a beach

Fruit

Cockle shells

Stones with striations

Melons

Sticky wet

Pear

Shitaki mushroom

Chanterele

Paint brush

Queens crown

Spring onion

Bracelet

Pumpkin

cockle shell

Wee the beds

Shredded wheat

Diamond

Peacock

A Pod

Cordroy

A mouse

Venus fly trap

Spider

Hairbrush

Clothes Brush

Jesters hat

Peppercorns

Pips in an apple

Pea pod

Christmas tree

Rubiks cube

chimps ear

Hedgehog

Like skin

Like leather

A sculpture

Like pearls

Caterpillar

Banister

Candle

Bottle

Bacon

Chops

Hats

Bananas

horse foot

Shaving brush

Fish

Cuttle fish

cucumber

shiny leathery

crocodile

close ups

2010-05-10T05:55:00.000-07:00

tactile collection

2010-05-10T05:43:00.000-07:00

seeds and sounds

2010-04-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

We made a film using seeds and a digital microscope and them made a sound track for it using sensors microphone and our collection of sensory objects - finished product coming soon!

Working with Clay 22nd of April 2010

2010-04-26T06:42:00.000-07:00

We looked at the shape and textures of seeds to inspire our work in clay

creating Texture

2010-04-26T06:34:00.000-07:00

Mai used willow frames to weave onto and then we added different textures by pushing them through the weave

Microscope workshops

2010-04-08T06:56:00.000-07:00

In March we have run workshops with lots of different groups of people from schools and day centres - we were looking at wildflower seeds under the microscope and projected on to a screen.

We wanted to find out what people thought the seeds looked like close up and what they thought the textures would be like.

We put together a big collection of tactile objects to help find things that reminded us of the seeds on the screen.

get closer to wildflower seeds

2010-04-08T06:46:00.001-07:00

Managed by the Access to heritage project in partnership with The National Wildflower Centre.

Funded by The Arts Council and Knowsley Partnership board.

The Seed Handling Collection will be an interactive multisensory resource housed at The National wildflower Centre, adding to their existing interpretation but also available as a mobile resource for schools, day centres and other organisations.

The seed Handling collection will bring the other wise hidden world of wildflower seeds alive for all visitors and will be invaluable for visitors with visual impairments or learning disabilities.

Artists and selected groups will make the Seed Handling Collection through extensive consultation workshops from schools and day centres who would benefit from a hands on collection.

Lead Artist and project manager Ticky Lowe

Artist/workshop facilitators Mai Thomas, Naomi Kendrick.

Sound Artist Ross Daziel –

The project will have a strong focus on research and experimentation with texture and sound.

Artists will work with groups of people with learning disabilities and visual impairments to find out about texture, form and sound - making a variety of materials available to experiment with – not needing an end product to each workshop.

But documenting the process carefully and feeding back.

Phase one

The first sessions will consist of workshops where groups and artist will look at seeds under a microscope - as a projected image.

Individual seeds will be examined closely and especially when working with visually impaired people described in detail –

A large selection of random objects will also be used to choose which of them most closely resemble the tactile appearance of each seed.

The second set of sessions will be about creating texture – based on particular seeds – and influenced by the first phase of workshops. Artists will be introducing materials that they use in their practice – for groups to use create texture.

And the sound artist - descriptions, sounds textures make – etc

Looking at how to incorporate sound in to the handling collection.

At the end of phase one, documentation, textures and sounds created through the workshops will be exhibited at The National Wildflower Centre as an opportunity for more people to view the work in progress and give us their opinions.

The second phase will be the making of the seed handling collection, using findings from phase one.

So that the end product can be developed entirely as a result of the consultation workshops – at this stage no artists have been commissioned to make the final seed handling collection.

This will be decided at the end of phase one.

Work on phase two will begin in May 2010