kites at the grange final reportr.pdf · and techniques from the simplest mini kite made from paper...

Kites at The Grange: Generations share the sky Final project report

Kites at The Grange: Generations share the sky project report

Final Project Report, written by Infinite Arts for The Grange 2

Final Report written and compiled by Infinite Arts, October 2014 Contents Page

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1 INTRODUCTION 3

2 THE PROJECT- A BRIEF DESCRIPTION 3

3 COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK 4

3.1 Artistʼs report 4

3.2 working with young people 13

3.3 The Teapot Arch 15

3.4 Participantsʼ response 18

3.5 Benefits to participants have included 19

4 OUTCOMES AND ACHIEVEMENT 20



1 Introduction This report has been produced in order to; • value the thoughts of the participants • influence future projects and practice • inform project development • provide information to funders • The reporting process took place during the project with regular contact between the artist Pauline Taylor and the project managers Michele Wright and Lisa Langford Involving participants and other staff for feedback.

2 The Project- a brief description The project was developed by The Grange Day Centre Throckley with funding from National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund. The initial aim was to develop a kite project working with elders from The Grange and involving children from the local area. Participants would work to make kites and have opportunity to come together to fly them from time to time. Kite flying was selected as the focus for the project, as many elders have a memory of making or flying a kite but have not usually had an opportunity to revisit that memory. Kite flying can be a fun and companionable way to be out in the open air and take exercise. An interest in kites can span generations providing a common medium for people to engage with. They can be the channel for learning and sharing between different ages and different cultures. Specialist kite maker Pauline Taylor, was engaged to lead the kite making work. Pauline is based in the North East and has been making kites for almost 20 years and receives invitations to fly and exhibit her kites at festivals in Europe as well as in the UK. Pauline has worked with participants of all ages using a wide range of materials and techniques from the simplest mini kite made from paper and scraps of wool, to more complicated constructions using fabric, silk ink and carbon fibre. The project has involved over 40 elders as direct participants, 11 young people, and 9 staff and has reached around 800 people through the exhibition of kites at festivals around the world. During the year, participants have made over a hundred kites using paper, plastic, bamboo, wool and many other bits and pieces. For some it has been a brand new experience while for others the notion of making a kite has awakened long forgotten memories of working with a dad or a brother not only to make a kite, but to get outside and fly it. After a few months we decided to undertake a group project and embarked on a kite arch – a long line of kites all fixed together which form an arch in the sky when they are flown. This arch has now travelled to kite festivals far and wide and been seen in Malaysia, Thailand and France. The project has led to further funding opportunities and will continue at The Grange



3 Comments and Feedback

3.1 Artistʼs report The project began in September 2013 and over a period of one year, Pauline has worked one day a week with the elders at the Grange to help them make their own kites. Pauline kept a weekly diary to log progress and here describes how the project began;

“Starting with images of kites and kite flying, we set out to prompt and gather memories from the elders. These were shared with local children meeting at Throckley Community Hall. Kite making sessions were organised both in The Grange Centre and at Throckley Community Hall. The completed kites have now been flown at Newburn Riverside and some of the kites which were made have been flown in Malaysia, Thailand and France at International Kite Festivals during 2014.” “I began by chatting to people in the hall meeting new people and introducing the idea of kite making to them. On the first day I worked mostly with one table where Tommy, Nellie and Andy sit. Tommy was very enthusiastic and looked at all the kite books of photos and information I had brought. He found a picture of a box kite and remembered making one with his dad. He said they used canvas or maybe an old sheet and garden canes. He seemed to remember the actual dimensions of the fabric. I promised to look up a pattern for a box kite and we could try to make one together - I had never done one before so Tommy and I started on this project with him leading the way and me providing the materials and equipment.”

“I worked my way around the tables in the hall and quite a few people agreed to make a mini kite with me there and then. We used paper, wool and video tape. There was a bit of physical activity once they were done - whizzing the kites around their heads.” “Once we had gathered a few participants for the project, we set up a space to work upstairs where people could concentrate without other distractions such as bingo or a music quiz. Derek, Nellie, Andy, June, Gladys Tommy and Olive were the first participants. I always had a member of staff working with me – usually Debbie, Amanda or Amy.”

During the first few weeks a variety of kites were made using plastic, paper and tyvek some of which could be decorated using pens. Some participants worked quickly and got two kites made in record time while some left their work to finish next week. Some participants found it difficult to remember what they had done last week and it took them a little while to get back into what they were doing and the artist was concerned that she might be causing them more anxiety by bringing this up – but in consultation with senior staff it was agreed that projects did not need to be completed within one session. It was felt that the process of remembering and re-learning was a useful process for those taking part. Some participants were not physically able to be very engaged and although staff did



involve them for example in choosing colours for the decoration, the line and tails, the artist wondered if other related activities could be offered.

“Since I have lots of video and photos of kites and kite festivals, I decided to set them up so that participants could watch independently on a laptop or an ipad. This provided another way of being involved and was a useful addition. I also produced a page of information about kites to go in the activity files on the tables.”

It soon became apparent that was only through working with participants each week and trying new ideas in response to their comments, that the artist was able to develop ideas for future sessions.

“I brought in some kites which I had made along with a few kites made by friends from different countries. There was quite a bit of interest in some small bird kites which I had made for The Northern Centre For Cancer Care at the Freeman Hospital. We decided to make some of these little bird kites. These have the advantage that we can fly them direct or can fly them from poles when we have a kite flying event. I pre-made them and then individuals were able to paint or colour them with pens and silk paint.”

Kites I brought in included: Giacomino Reverberi – double hexagon: this kite caused so much interest I brought it in a few times. Giacomino is a great example for the Grange of someone who only took up kite making in his seventies and continued until he died in 2014 at the age of 93. Pauline Taylor : I brought in a few of my own hand made kites. Penshaw Monument Gold leaf



Birds and moths

We looked at some samples of oriental kites including: Chinese butterfly Chinese dragonfly



Over the year of activity we made a variety of kites including: • Leaf kites based on autumn leaves we found. These were made from Japanese

washi paper • Shibori Kites – made with Chinese Calligraphy paper calligraphy which is folded

and dip dyed to create a repeated pattern • Bird Kites – made from Ripstop Nylon pained with silk paints. • Diamond kites made from plastic bags • Diamond kites from newspaper • Sled kites from plastic • Mini kites from small pieces of paper with video tape tails • Box kites made from plastic with dowel sticks • Devil kite made from washi paper and bent bamboo



Leaf kites based on found autumn leaves. These were made from Chinese Calligraphy paper and we used silk ink to paint them. To achieve symmetry some people painted the paper with it folded in half. Others used a dotting and dabbing technique across the surface. The kites were framed up using banana leaf stems which taper towards the end and so were suited to the leaf form. Derek was very interested in the process and brought in some Chinese ink which he bought in the art shop in town to use on his kite.



Bird Kites made from ripstop nylon Vera made a lovely red bird kite which was flown at the 2013 One Sky One World event at Souter Lighthouse in South Tyneside. She took the bird home and flew it in her own garden. Lorraine and Enid are seen here painting their bird kites too.



Shibori Kites made from Calligraphy Paper. Owen has joined in every session and made one of every kite we’ve done – seen here with his shibori square diamond kite. He never wants to take the kites home - as he says he has no-one to give them too – but he’s very happy to come and join the group and often treats us to a song while we work. Norman and Alan have taken part in a few sessions and sometimes pop along to see what we are up to and have a chat.

The shibori process is Japanese and the calligraphy paper we use is Chinese – so we usually end up with some discussion about travel or history.



Diamond Kites made from plastic, tyvek or newspaper. The traditional diamond shaped kite was a popular choice for a number of the participants. We tried making newspaper ones – that caused quite a discussion about the size of newpapers nowadays (much smaller than they used to be). The kite shown here, made by Lillian is made of tyvek and she has used small pieces of sticky backed plastic to create the flower pattern. It took a little while for her to get the idea and manage the fiddly business of the sticky backed plastic – but once she got going there was no stopping her. Stan chose to make a kite based on the traditional diamond – actually known as the Red Devil Kite. It needed a large piece of bamboo which was bent using heat and then tied to another piece to make a frame. We used Japanese washi paper for the skin.



Knots I brought in a large book about knots, and a basket full of string - but I couldn’t find anyone interested in testing out any of the designs other than the granny knot and the reef knot. Sorting the string Margaret and Rhoda found the basket full of string and wool in a tangle and they spent a happy morning sorting it. They were very surprised when lunchtime came around so quickly. Once again time flew.

This activity has led the artist to begin to develop a new project for elders based on sorting, matching, cleaning, polishing and fettling.



3.2 working with young people It was decided that it would be a good idea to involve work with young people to help bridge the generation gap and kites seemed to be a good subject for both age groups. In October we made contact with the local Community Association in Throckley. It was not possible to run sessions which included both groups as they met at different times of day – the Day Centre members left at 3.30pm and the youth group stated at 4pm. It was agreed that the artist would work separately with each group and then arrange to bring them together where possible. So after 3 sessions with the young people we agreed to meet up in the October half term week and a few of the youngsters turned up to share experiences in the lounge with some of the elders.

The work with Throckley Community Association led up to Halloween and so we made bat kites which flew really well.



The young people also attempted a Bell Tetrahedron Kite using drinking straws and crisp bags which they brought to the Grange when they visited. They also got to see Tommyʼs box kite which they thought was pretty impressive.



3.3 The Teapot Arch It was decided that it would be a good idea to make a Kite arch (a row of small kites all on one line) which could be flown together to show the whole group’s work.

Madge felt it was the best dayʼs activity she had had in a while – the time flew by and she found it was so engrossing.



About 30 diamond shaped kites were made each bearing the image of a teapot carefully chosen and recreated by the elders at The Grange. All the kites are joined together on a long line allowing them to be flown as an arch, tethered to the ground at both ends.

Pauline describes the work: “Together the group have been working on a kite arch – a long string of about 30 kites each decorated with an image of a different teapot. Everyone had a chance to choose the sort of teapot they like best or remember well from the past, and then we drew and painted them onto the kites. The finished kite arch looks very British and provided a little bit of the North East in Far East.”



People chose their favourite teapot then usually I would draw the outline for them onto card and we would tape the kite over that outline. Using pens of their choice, each person drew round the image and then coloured it in however they wanted. The process of colouring in is usually quite satisfying and many people found that the time passed pretty quickly while they were working. Tommy, a regular attender at the kite sessions, was keen to be involved and not only made a teapot kite but also did most of the sewing for the arch. He also asked Pauline to take with her a box kite which he had made - so that it could be flown in Malaysia. An older gentleman, Mr Tan, in Malaysia offered to fly the box kite and this pleased Tommy immensely when he saw the pictures afterwards.

Pauline has since brought in a variety of kites for Tommy to set up and he has found this quite rewarding. Several of the others have taken quite an interest in looking at ready made kites, getting them out of the bags and undertaking the challenge of setting them up. It seems that people often don’t get a chance to do such “technical’ things in their later years.



3.4 Participantsʼ response “It’s been great. I have enjoyed every session, making new kites, and trying to make one like I made all those years ago.” “The time just flies when we are doing the kites – Oh I just realised what I said – time flies!” “It has been great to go over old memories! I remember making a box kite with my dad – and I have been able to make a new one now. Of course my dad used garden canes and an old sheet for his and we are using plastic for ours so that it will last a bit longer if it rains.” “No thank you dear – I did that when I was just a girl” – became - “well I enjoyed that and look what I have made.” “Well of course, making a kite was one of the things you automatically did when I was a child but I don’t suppose they do nowadays.” During the summer, the Day Centre organised a numbers of trips to the nearby Newburn Activity Centre where participants had a chance to fly some of the kites as well as take part in a number of activities such as cycling and archery. They were quite taken with the kites and with seeing their own kites in the air. We had invited a few young people along too, to help fly the kites so that helped with the running around.



3.5 Benefits to participants have included

The Grange has always been keen to relieve social isolation of elders by providing the opportunity for them to take part in activities and to communicate positively with others. “When people are physically and mentally stimulated in this way it improves confidence and successfully brings people together. Our elders will feel like valued members of their community again. This in turn will help create an improved and active quality of life.” Michele Wright Michele and Lisa the two managers at the Grange have described some of the highlights of the project: “Everyone in the hall was silent as they watched the video footage from Malaysia showing their own kites being flown alongside kites of all shapes and sizes from all over the world. They were pleased with their achievement and keen to tell family, friends and peers about what they had been a part of.” “Whether people join because of a genuine interest in kitemaking or as a way to focus on their own interest is not important – some members like to come along to the group for the chat and are happy to make a kite while chatting or singing! The project has lead seamlessly to a follow-on project where people will participate in making collages about their own interests and these will be printed up and made into a new kite arch. Members of the core group have been willing to share things about themselves and new participants have been attracted in now that they understand what a kite arch is. There is some tradition of Japanese kites telling the story of a character in their imagery, so that might be another point of reference for the group.



4 Outcomes and achievement Generations Share the Sky set out to address three of the Awards for All outcomes. ‘Healthier and more Active’ We have managed to achieve this outcome by encouraging people of all ages to make kites and to fly them out of doors. This can be evidenced from the activity days at Newburn which took place in the summer of 2014. Despite inclement weather on one day and no wind on another, our elders and young people spent time outside, looking up, being more active and having fun together. This project also helped to social isolation of many of our elders who were given the chance to communicate positively with younger people. In addition, through embarking on making a kite, many elders were able to develop new strains of conversation with each other, with the artist and the staff and also with their own family who showed interest in what they had been doing. The elders were able to feel valued and that they had an improved quality of life. ‘People have better chances in life’ We achieved this outcome through skills development and learning with both generations. The process of designing and making a kite requires a range of skills which were taught by the artist, learned from books and shared across the generations. The elders were encouraged to use their memory bank and revisit old skills they may have forgotten they had. The young people had a chance to recognise the skills and values of an older generation. 'Stronger Communities’ We believe that the 'Stronger Communities' outcome has been supported by the celebration of the work done by the two generations. In particular, the profile of the Grange has been supported by the opportunity for some of the kites to be exhibited and flown in Malaysia, Thailand and France during 2014.

kites at the grange final reportr.pdf · and techniques from the simplest mini kite made from paper...

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