KIDS | Previews
ART EXHIBITION CHILDREN’S EXHIBITION Tramway, Glasgow, Sat 7 Jul–Sun 26 Aug FAMILY FUN DAY DADS ROCK FATHER'S DAY FAMILY TAKEOVER Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Sun 17 Jun
The idea that people are now wholly disconnected from each other and prefer to keep their distance, whether it‘s real or virtual, is one that the organisers behind Tramway’s children’s art exhibition are keen to challenge. Artist Melissa Stabile, (whose colourful work ‘The Comfortables’ is pictured) believes they are opening up an invitation for people to take time, enjoy and envelop themselves in a sensorial experience.
Don’t be put off by the name: when Dads Rock Father's Day Family Takeover invades the Botanics this June, everyone is invited.
‘It’s for the whole family,’ explains Thomas Lynch, co-founder of the Edinburgh- based charity. ‘This is our third year of running the event, and it’s an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful garden and be with lots of other families having fun; there's so much to do.’
‘Especially in this digital and very visual age, the work proposes quite literally Set up in 2012, Dads Rock runs playgroups for under 5s, antenatal classes and
that people should touch and feel more,’ says Stabile. ‘The way that people relate to “The Comfortables” is pretty much the way that they feel in the moment. They can touch or wear them, submerge themselves in them, or connect one person to another.’ counselling, all with the aim of helping fathers enjoy time with their children and support each other. ‘We’re here to inspire dads, children and families to have fun,’ says Lynch. ‘And to develop strong bonds, as we know this will give our kids the best start in life.’
Stabile’s ‘Comfortables’ is a range of wearable sculpture cushions made in The Royal Botanic Garden event will feature almost 20 different
multi-textured, patterned and brightly coloured fabrics with, in some cases, added fake-hair appendages, hooks and hoops to allow the works to be connected to each other and around people.
For fellow artist Richey Carey, it’s all about the experience of the material. ‘I’m interested in how we might learn more about materiality by paying close attention to its behaviour, thinking about what our different senses allow us to know about that behaviour and what they don’t. We’ve been sounding, dancing, touching and writing about liquid crystals, a material that behaves as both liquid and solid, thinking about what it is to twist between states like they do.’ (Brian Donaldson)
organisations, all offering their services to families for free. Activities on the day include music and art sessions, balloon modelling, ceilidh dancing, face painting, LEGO building, stories, hip-hop dancing, yoga, baby massage and, as is only right given the location, a chance to get your hands muddy and do some planting. ‘So much of what you can do together costs money,’ says Lynch. ‘So we wanted
to create something free and fun that families could come to. We believe there's great value in spending time together and having a fun day without having to think about money.’ (Kelly Apter)
STAGE SHOW PAW PATROL LIVE! Edinburgh Playhouse, Sat 28 Jul
If you’ve got kids of early primary school age or younger, you’ll know all about PAW Patrol. This animated series originated in Canada but has been dubbed into various accents and languages across the world, in which a team of search and rescue dogs carry out missions in the town of Adventure Bay. Each one has a catchphrase and a cool vehicle which also exists in toy form. And they’re dogs: how can kids not be thrilled by that concept? Also with its roots in North America but spreading out across the world is PAW Patrol Live!, a stage spectacular which arrives in Edinburgh (for three performances in one day) with its latest version, ‘The Great Pirate Adventure’.
‘It can take six to 12 months to create a show like this,’
says Australian actor Katie Ditchburn, who is resident choreographer on the Australian and UK legs. ‘My job is giving the pups their moves. The pups in our show are actually life- size puppets, based on Japanese bunraku puppets, and my job is to make sure they move in a way that looks beautiful and clean.’ Those who operate Chase, Rubble, Skye and co are, what Ditchburn calls, ‘actors / singers / dancers and, in this case, puppeteers. It’s a lot of work for them, but fortunately we have a team of very talented people. There are lots of locations as the pups follow the treasure map from Adventure Bay to the jungle and elsewhere, but we manage to make it seamless. Everyone has been really enjoying it, and I think some of the parents are quite surprised by how much they get into the show. It’s a great live and interactive experience, and a joy to get families away from the screen and into the theatre together.’ (David Pollock)
90 THE LIST 1 Feb–31 Mar 2018 90 THE LIST 1 Jun–31 Aug 2018