What If Objects Could Talk?
Work-in-progress Workshop Led by Ornella Stocco
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What if objects could talk?
What if objects could talk?
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What if objects could talk?
What if objects could talk?
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What if objects could talk?
What if objects could talk?
Each year we offer workshops that coincide with the student work-in-progress exhibitions. The exhibitions are an opportunity for students to test out ideas, view their work in a gallery context and engage in critical discussions with their peers and tutors. The exhibitions are also a great opportunity for school groups to gain an insight into different working processes, different lines of enquiry, and different approaches to presentation and materials.Â
Ornella’s workshop was an experimental and playful exploration of waste, re-use and electronics. The day began with a discussion of the process of manufacturing, packing, transporting, consuming and discarding products. Following on from this, Ornella invited the students to give new life to unwanted or obsolete objects. She showed them examples of designers and artists who have created new products from waste materials, or developed more sustainable systems and ways of working.Â
In small groups, the students were invited to choose two objects from the selection of unwanted or waste materials Ornella had collected. Together they considered how the objects might be re-used or re-configured. Then each group was given a human action to add into their discussions. How might they bring their objects to life, give them character and evoke that action?Â
Ornella demonstrated how to integrate small electronic devices such as fans, LED lights and sound-recorders into their objects to give them ‘special powers’. Many students had not used electronic components before, and were surprised at how quickly and easily they could be employed to enliven or transform an object. Many of the students said they would now consider using electronics in their exam work. The day concluded with each group filming their object in action, creating a scenario, landscape or narrative around it.