On 7 July 2018, poet and drummer Remi Graves led Moving the Membrane, the third in our series of Wild Learning workshops. In addition to exploring the wider concepts of skins, membranes, and surfaces, Remi had participants focus on a personal barrier we’d like to move past (or at least puncture a bit). Many workshops involve experimentation, but Remi’s introduction of this personal element meant everyone started with a bit of vulnerability, delving deeper than they otherwise might have.
Participants spent the day writing in response to visual, audio and experiential prompts provided by Remi, as well as fashioning drums and percussion instruments from materials found in and outside Sudborough Green Lodge. At the end of the day, both the writing and percussive work were combined into a final piece of rhythmic spoken word, some of which were recorded and mixed by Remi.
You can hear two of the finished pieces below:
The Outdoor Institute of Art is an alternative art school conceived by Yasmin Canvin, with a curriculum which will consist of discussions, skills and knowledge sharing events between artists, experts in relevant fields, the arts sector and members of the public. With specific focus on artists using digital technology, artists working with Special Educational Needs students, a mentoring programme for early career artists, and a training programme for arts organisations to deliver outdoor education workshops.
The Outdoor Institute of Art will be delivered across 6 terms over 2 years, through a series of modules:
Wild Sharing workshops – a creative and social opportunity for informal skill and knowledge sharing.
Wild Learning workshops – conceptually led training session and activities for artists working outdoors.
Free Exchange discussions – discussions between an artist and an expert, exploring connections between art and the everyday.
Artist Talks – talks held at and led by the current artist in residence at Fineshade Wood.