Lemonpop Summer Workshops : Customise Ur Life Through Creative Arts at The Zone

Ghostdavandal Originals presents 

Lemonpop Summer Workshops : Customise Ur Life Through Creative Arts

Date: 4th August & 6th August 2014

The Zone, Bracknell Forest

This year we introduced and launched our Lemonpop Summer Workshops : Customise Ur Life Through Creative Arts at The Zone in Great Hollands Square, Bracknell in conjunction with Flip The Script and Bracknell Forest Youth Services.  Our mini adventure began when we arrived at Great Hollands Square and were welcomed by Garrick and Debbie who run the Youth Centre, which is situated in a shopping complex that seems to be the hub of the community. Our first assignment was on a bright sunny and hot day, so the conditions were perfect for a street art slash customisation workshop.
The centre has 5 display boards situated on a wall that faces the car park to the whole shopping centre, so it was evident on arrival that a youth club resides here. We were there for a two day workshop, engaging with the young people that attend The Zone youth club, to learn transformational life skills through Customisation and StreetArt by planning and painting the outside boards of the youth club to inspire the community.

Day One began with introductions and getting to know the young people, we kicked off the day with activities aimed at exploring Streetart and gaining an understanding on how much the young people understood about customisation and Streetart. Some had experience in using sprays and some that had never used sprays were curious but most were aware of what graffiti is and the implications and consequences of practising it in public places.  This exploration stage allows young people to identify their interest as a source of inspiration and as a resource of ideas. This stage encourages young people to recognise their interests and focus on them by expanding their meanings and symbolising it through visual representation. This stage is all about knowing yourself and finding yourself by listing ideas about yourself and simplifying them to be developed into designs and patterns. 

Once the young people began exercising their options, they immediately loosened up and began firing ideas away. Their ideas that came from their personal interests and within their peer groups, which ranged from popular computer games to favourite pastimes such as scooter and skate activities, even ideas around popular music groups and fashion icons.  The most interesting ideas came from their association to The Zone, ie what their favourite activities are at the club and what it means to them as a young people. Some had a theme and wanted to express their feelings or show what they are doing as part of the community. In one instance a young person was raising money and awareness for the club by getting all her hair cut off in aid of charity, so we dedicated a board to her! What a way to raise awareness!

The young people were split into equal groups that matched the number of boards and were required to create
designs that represented their group or the youth club. Before allocating boards to groups, they had to come up with initial designs that they proposed to paint, either to receive approval from staff on their design or to get assistance in designing.  Once the young people had created their designs and had them approved, they were allocated a board which they had to prep up before commencing with any painting. The boards had never been treated since they had been painted a couple years before so needed to sanded down first. After sanding the boards down, we masked the wall area that we didn't want paint on with newspaper and masking tape then applied background colours using spray cans.  This was the young peoples first opportunity to use spray paints and learn methods of how to apply it in a controlled manner. The young people seemed to enjoy this stage as they created some colourful boards that already looked amazing and seemed complete but also showed their enthusiasm to the activity. 

Day two at The Zone started off a lot quicker and this time we had our super awesome assistant Rajan Mahoon to make sure that we were fully prepared for the day and that operations ran smoothly according to the session plan. The day kicked off with a recap of the previous days activities and a discussion over the learnings, improvements and on how to move forward. This interested some of the young people and after evaluating their work decided to go back a couple steps and redesigned their proposed images. Using the processes, techniques and methods they learnt on the previous day, the young people continued with their allocated boards and soon began creating their very colourful designs onto the boards. This process required some concentration from the young people to complete their images and have enough time to evaluate and make changes. Young people were reminded to evaluate and critic their work as they painted their images as a way to stay on track and this was done by constantly taking steps back to review their images and to make necessary changes as they went along with the activity.

After a series of decision making and adjustments through step by step help from staff and our team (including our assistant Rajan, who had never spray painted before but seemed to enjoy experience), the boards began to resemble familiar images and look quite colourful, their images were already starting to look more like the finished product. By the end of the day, everyone was exhausted from participating in the activities, some young people had finished their boards and some where applying final touches to their artwork and some where admiring their work including what their friends had produced. During the activities the young people were so consumed in painting that they didn't have chance to admire and critic each other's work so afterwards we all critic-ed each other's boards and had an opportunity to discuss each other's creations, what they could have improved and how to apply what they learnt in the last couple of days.  
After evaluation and discussing what they had learnt in the last couple days, the young people reflected on the planning process as the initial stage in customisation,the young people also  understood that preparation is important in having the right conditions, materials and methods to execute or create their ideas and that these are part and parts of a process guaranteed to produce favourable results that are personal to them and if the stages are followed through could produce some original pieces of work that they are proud of producing.

Special thanks to Garrick and Debbie from The Zone Youth Centre in Great Hollands Square, Bracknell, to Dee Albert from Flip The Script and Liz Hassock from Bracknell Forrest Council and to the Ghostdavandal Originals Team, Rajan Mahoon, Aman Mahoon and Marvin Hagglar.

MH

Ghostdavandal Originals @Southill Park

Ghostdavandal Originals @Southill Park (1119)
Date: 13th June 2014
Location: Southill Park, Bracknell

Ghostdavandal Originals Team were at it again on Friday the 13th in Bracknell. We were invited to the 1119 Youth Group of Southill Park and what an evening it was.  After a long drive down we returned to Southill Park, a year since the last time we delivered a successful creative workshop there and we were lucky to arrive just before the group started their session which is usually 7pm to 9:30pm. We were welcomed by Mark Hooper who leads and organises the group and introduced us to the group and staff. It was good to see a few members from the previous year that still attend the club, which was great as they remembered us and made it easier to engage with the rest of the group and introduce activities based on customisation to them!

 After a brief introduction, explaining the reasons for customisation, the purpose it serves and where or what can be customised. The young people participated in colouring a large mural we provided which helped in instilling the techniques and for general practise when it comes to selection of colour, how best to apply it and where it can be apply to.  The young people showed an in depth understanding of customisation from the different forms of customisations...ie fashion and art to giving examples of their favourite customisations, with some even willing to try the activity at home. Most of the young people seemed to understand that customisation is more of a personal journey of self discovery. The activity focuses on discovery and finding out the different things that are personal to an individual, be it a favourite colour, saying or phrase, a simple pattern or a nickname given to you by mates and using those attributes to enhance, improve and redefine an object, canvas or an individual. 

In realising these individual characteristics, young people understood that those items can be represented through many different ways, such as simplifying imagery to basic shapes, colour combinations and applied using a mix of mediums ie experimenting with colour and materials to create features, assets and accessories that can be used to customise a piece of clothing, paper or canvas.   

We where allocated to the side of the building right next to the bins (suppose this is the nature of street art...) where two large boards had been prepped for the session. The young people were split into two groups, wher one group worked on a cut out stencil of their logo and took turns in using spray paint to create the image. Using techniques that were explained during the introduction and demonstration, the young people engaged and participated in the activity, creating a colourful piece that they were proud to have been involved in.

The second group participated in painting an African themed pattern that coincides with an upcoming event that is focused on African Arts and Culture. The young people painted a large patterned mural reflecting the diverse ideas they came up with and also reflecting the colours that they all favoured. 

The event was a success and as a team we are positive in that the young people learnt creative, technical and professional skills whilst engaging in a group activity that is based on customisation and street art.  We look forward to working with the 1119 group again very soon in learning and engaging in activities aimed at learning transferrable skills whilst having fun at the same time! Can't wait!!!!

Special thanks to everyone who came along to the workshops and participated in the activities and contributed in making sure that the activities went accordingly, the whole 1119 group (...what a crazy bunch!!), Mark Hooper and the staff at Southill Park, Dee from Flip The Script and Liz from Bracknell Forest Council, Aman Mahoon and Marvin Hagglar Mudzongo from Ghostdavandal Originals.

Here is a preview of last years workshop...

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.317581931707951.1073741826.226891664110312&type=3

#customizeurlife

MH

Ghostdavandal Originals @Urban Academy

Ghostdavandal Originals @Urban Academy 
Hampton Youth Project & Chapter Way
Date: 26th - 29th June 2014
Location: Hampton & Hanworth, Richmond

Once again the Ghostdavandal Originals Team was out and about delivering creativity and spreading professionalism through our "Customize Ur Life" workshops to the young people of Hampton and Hanworth last week.  

Customisation enables us to create, improve or personalise an identity, bringing out the best from our own interests, goals, likes, dislikes, attributes etc that make up a character.
Each character can be encouraged to realise the process,
We had a amazing opportunity representing Flip The Script for The Urban Academy workshops, which are run by RHP (Richmond Housing Project) in engaging Young People of Hanworth and Hampton in transformative workshops based on creativity and celebration.  We were welcomed by Urban Academy's lead worker, Corey Clarke, who was our contact for the week. 

Our first appointment was at a Youth Club in a small local Community Centre in Chapter way, Hanworth near a travellers site.  The Young People there welcomed us and showed initiative in getting involved and were definitely not shy in communicating how they felt or what they felt. This was a lively bunch whom weremore than willing to throw themselves into any of the activities we had set out for them! For the day we had set out activities such as T-shirt customisation, Mural painting and canvas painting for the young people.

Day One began with introductions and after staff members outlined what was expected of them.  The young people were briefed on the activities and began with colouring, as a way to introduce different techniques used in colouring images. Some young people used paints and brushes and some (who where younger or not so confident used markers and paint pens) who didn't have the confidence used colouring pens. Young people understood that using techniques such as hand strokes when painting helped them in keeping within the lines, maintaining a neat visual look towards their work that they could be proud of.  Another fun part of this stage was the use of different colours to express feeling, some young people chose really bright colours and were also encouraged to try a range of different colours.

The second activity was based on their ideas. We needed each young person to write a list of their favourites, interests, characteristics, attributes etc...then narrow down to maybe 3 and use them as symbols or characters. This enabled the young person to visualise their ideas and possibly create a new identity or image. To begin with it was challenging to the young people but once they noticed that even the staff had to do the activity as well they began to participate and engage.  Most people complain that they can't draw but this stage allows anyone to illustrate using marks, lines, shapes and symbols to represent their favourites.  This exploration stage helps to plan and arrange ideas on a page that makes it easy for young people to expand on the idea afterwards.

The next stage involved preparing their image by technical and creative ways such as mirroring, cutting and pasting. The young people began prepping their ideas on paper to create a draft that they could copy or manipulate onto canvas once they had mocked their idea and tested it using different colours, shapes, strokes and sizes.  Once they where happy with their designs they moved onto canvas.

The results were amazing with the young people responding and showing their understanding of the process. Some colourful canvases were created and with some carrying on their personal ideas for future use.
Day two was a lot easier to engage with young people and this time they brought some friends with them. We carried on with the activities from the previous day but concentrated on a group mural that would hang in the centre for the young people. The mural was designed using all the young peoples ideas and merged into one image that all assisted in colouring in using paint pens. This activity was based on group participation and engagement, collaborating individual ideas into one which produced an amazing piece of collaborative piece of artwork that will hang in the youth club as a celebration of their achievements.

Hampton Youth Project
Our second appointment was held at The Hampton Youth Project. The day was an event organised by RHP (Richmond Housing Project) and we were representing Flip The Script in engaging young people in customising tshirts and mural painting (which are based on learning transferable life skills for self development in young people) . The event was free for young people and based on finding work opportunities, offering digital support and money saving tips and also to offer information in what's happening in the local area, so it was a fitting occasion for us to engage with local young people.
As the day began small groups of young people with their parents started to flow in to the venue and walked around the hall and exhibits by local organisations and groups associated with the offering support to young people and the community at large. 

We were located in a separate room that had enough space for the young people to freely move about and engage in either the Tshirt customisation, mural painting or the crafts stall (that was situated next to our stall).  All young people that wanted to customise tshirts were required to sign up to the Urban Academy Workshops first then were handed a tshirt to customise with ideas of their own choice. The young people were taken through the professional, technical and creative paces of customisation which included learning the importance of : 1. Exploration
2. Planning
3. Preparation
4. Execution
Firstly, the young people had to draft their ideas on paper. Listing all their favourite interests, items and ideas. Secondly to illustrate or symbolise their ideas in simple drawings, marks or pattern. The third step was to consider what methods were best suited to apply their design onto a T-shirt ie spray, draw or print. To then paint their personal ideas, story or mark (tag name, favourite symbol etc) was fun and engaging for the young people, with some of them getting really excited to be customising their own tshirt. The young people had plenty of ideas and in a matter of hours our stall was surrounded by young people all busy and concentrating on their draft ideas, mural painting or customising their T-shirts.
The young people produced some creative and colourful T-shirt designs that reflected their interests, ideas and favourites and the fact that they had customised the tees themselves showed in their enthusiasm and appreciation. The young people were proud of their achievements and wore their tshirts once they were dry. Before long we had run out of tshirts and were the busiest stall on the day stealing all the attention the young people had for the other stalls!

As a team we thoroughly enjoyed working with Urban Academy and inspiring the young people of Richmond and Hampton in creative workshops and sincerely hope that they took away with them creative, professional and technical life skills through customisation and understanding the processes that enable them to customize and influence their lifestyles.

Special thanks to everyone who came along to the workshops and participated in activities and contributed in making sure that the activities went accordingly, Corey Clarke from Urban Academy, the RHP staff, Dee from Flip The Script, Rajan Mahoon, Dawn Sluman, Aman Mahoon and Marvin Hagglar Mudzongo from the Ghostdavandal Team.
#customiseurlife


MH

Ghostdavandal Originals @The Spot, Sandhurst

Ghostdavandal Originals @The Spot
Date: 6th- 8th August 2013
Location: Sandhurst

Ghostdavandal Originals facilitated a youth group of 25-30 Young People @TheSpot in Sandhurst from Tuesday 6th August to Thursday 8th August on behalf of Flip The Script and Bracknell Youth Service.

The workshops were aimed at introducing young people into the creative world of Customisation and Street-art. Understanding the different technics and methodical ways of customising or making something different by adjusting or improving  its originals attributes.  This meant understanding what customisation is by knowing when, how and where to apply it.  

 The 3 days were packed with activities that encouraged YP to identify their personal interests, develop visual ideas through exploration and experimentation, and implementing their designs using professional, creative and technical advice provided throughout the workshops.  YPs were encouraged to Plan, Design and Implement through group interaction and participation, where input information was necessary and reflected their personal understanding of the subject.

Day One: Customisation Workshop

Each day kicked off with group games, which were led by staff @The Spot namely Ruari, Shakira and Sophie. After an Introduction into Customisation led by GDV's very own Marvin Hagglar and Aman Mahoon, YP were required to list personal interests, illustrate and interpret ideas as designs onto a T-Shirt template.  YP were required to consider colours, layouts and appropriate technics to transfer their visual ideas onto plain T-Shirts provided, using materials such as paints and brushes, swatches, paint pens, accessories, stencils and spray cans to transfer their ideas.

Most of the group preferred to stencil their T-shirts, with some using a combination of mediums, producing some interesting designs that reflected their understanding of the processes in customisation...i.e. Planning Design Development Implementation. The final outcome was an array of colourful T-shirts designs produced by YP for YP that they were proud to show off, as each T-shirt design reflected who they were individually within a group. Most of them enjoyed the activity, that they persisted on repeating the activity each day.

Day Two: Street Art Workshop

Began with an Introduction into Street Art, explaining its origins, use in history and in the contemporary. YP showed great depth of understanding and were split into groups, briefed on the activities during the workshop which included Mural designing and painting using Spray Cans. So after a brief explanation of Spray Can use and misuse, COSHH, YP were required to list group interests, similar to the exercise before (to define personal interests) and the groups understood that they were required to design and paint a mural later during the day. 

The groups participated in discussion, Planning and designing their ideas and engaged in creating an image that they decided represented their interests as a group. Each group had to consider how the design was to be transferred on to the mural, which colours to use and how to layout the design.  Once again the YP responded well and displayed interest in designing and especially in implementing their designs using Spray Cans, resulting in imaginative and colourful murals that they were proud to produce and are situated right beside the entrance to The Spot, hopefully reminding them of their experience.

Day Three: Street Art Workshop / Music Workshop

After a brief summary on the key themes addressed in previous sessions, the group was provided with an opportunity to continue with activities of choice, namely T-shirt customisation and canvas painting stood out the most and proved to be the most popular activity throughout the workshops as most YP brought in a personal item to customise each day.  YP were also required to create an image that they thought represented their individual, personal look to be combined into an image that would used to design a large mural that visually reflected the group and to be painted by Ghostdavandal's very own Marvin Hagglar.  YP waited with anticipation as they could only view the image after their music workshop.

After completing customisation/street art activities, YP were briefed how to reflect on their learning through music as an expression of themselves and the YP chose Rap Music as way to reflect this.  YP developed lyrics for a chorus using a list that they created, discussing and deciding the best way to illustrate what they had learned and created an inspiring song about customising yourself to become who you are and who you want to be and that you can be anything you want in this world.....now that's what I call Flippin' The Script!!

After the Music workshop, which they had an opportunity to write their own verses, choruses and had a chance to use the vocal booth or experiment with an instrument and after the track had been layered by Ruari (...the man behind the beat!) and group evaluations, where members were required to evaluate the sessions, how useful they were to them and what they can do by themselves.  YP where finally allowed to view the mural of themselves within a group and were also asked to identify themselves within the mural, which was quite amusing and was a highlight of the three days. At the end of the day, the YP summarised all the activities and reflected on what they had learnt individually and as a group, what a way to end the sessions!!

Special thanks to Maggie, Rauri (...the frog!), Shakira and Sophie  @The Spot and to ALL who attended for an amazing week!

M.H