Lemonpop Workshops : @ Portsea Venture, Portsmouth

Ghostdavandal Originals presents Lemonpop Workshops : Customise Ur Life 

Portsea Venture, Portsmouth

21st August & 22nd August 2014 

2014 was an amazing year for our team. We had a fantastic summer as we launched our "Summer Programme" and delivered creative workshops to youths in clubs and societies across the country.  Amongst Youth offending programmes, Cultural awareness, community festivals and simple custom made fun we engaged with a lot of enthusiastic young people full of energy and as inquisitive as ever..our highlight of the summer has to be the workshops delivered in Portsmouth at Portsea Venture.

We were invited to Portsea Venture in Portsmouth to deliver customisation workshops with the staff and young people that attend the children's centre. Portsea Venture is one of Portsmouth City Council's six free, exciting adventure playgrounds and is a world of opportunity for children.  We found this place extraordinary as young people can whizz along zip lines, cool off in splash pools, get messy in sand-pits, show their artistic talents with arts and crafts, build dens, climb trees, dress-up and much more...Really cool!! I wish I had a place like this when I was growing up as it creates an experience for the young people that includes all and shares experiences amongst the group that attends! Hats off to the staff that run the centre!

Upon our arrival we were greeted by Clare and the staff team, not forgetting the young people who attend the centre...who seemed quite eager to participate in whatever activities we had prepared for them...but made us feel so relaxed and welcome. We were there for two whole days and on the first day, which began with introductions to Customisation, street art and using materials (COSHH), we familiarised ourselves with the centre and with the young people who were buzzing in and around the centre. Day One was focused on Tshirt and Clothing customisation and each young person was required to customise a tshirt. This was to be done using personal ideas considering who they are, what their interests are and as a way to understand who they are within the group (taking ownership and responsibility).

The day got off to a brilliant start with the young people engaging and participating in the processes, for example at Stage 1 the young people had to create a list of favourites ie colours, toys, games, films etc..then Stage 2 was to use symbols, icons, lines( scribbles, doodles...whatever) etc to represent their favourites. At this stage it is evident that they were fully consumed and engaged in the activity as some of the work produced by the young people reflects their interests, with some creating amazing pieces of work that would impress anyone with artistic skills.  The concentration on the young people's faces was worth it, to see them questioning themselves and engaging in such an activity, the staff were impressed ( so were we) with the way the young people behaved and listened to instructions and that they even showed some flare!!(...actually sitting down and being quiet throughout the activities). Stage 3 involved the young people in painting their tshirts, applying the designs they created onto tshirts using a range of processes. This is usually a messy process (...usually spilling painting everywhere and on each other) but the young people dealt with it well by following the instructions that were given to them. 

The young people created really bright and colourful Tshirt designs that reflect the diverse interests within the group and also identifying some similar interests shared within the group. It was inspiring to see them wear their designs proudly and showing them off to each other, once they were dry of course. Day One was a success with everyone looking forward to Day Twos activities!

Day Two was all about Canvas and Mural painting (..also great to see some of the young people turn up wearing their new personally designed tshirts!!) and it began similarly to the previous day, with an introduction into Street Art and Customisation and a strong reminder of using hazardous substances. As part of our service to deliver creative workshops, our aim is to raise awareness of the materials, equipment and processes that are involved and making sure that young people develop an understanding of this to be able to make informed decisions.  Once the talking was over (phew....) we resumed to the stages as before with Stage One being focused on Planning, researching about personal or group interests, creating lists and simple sketches. Young people were encouraged to investigate, explore and research into their ideas before proceeding to the next stage. Stage Two is all about Preparation, experimenting further with materials, developing initial sketches and preparing surfaces. Stage Three is the stage most people (not just the young ones...) fear as this is the stage that paint is applied to a blank canvas which can scare most of us but on realising that the processes have prepared you for this part makes it slightly less challenging. The young people were clearly comfortable with the task and where fully engaged with their canvas boards with some continuing their ideas and some wanting a fresh start. The boards that were produced were even more colourful than the tshirts, as this time round it seems they understood what they were required to do and also enjoyed creating their own personal canvas boards from their own ideas....and what a result. 

We had an amazing time working with this 'energetic' group and look forward to returning in the summer, in fact we cannot wait! We would like to thank all the young people who attended for being awesome participants on both days, listening to instructions, offering help and for being themselves, also would like to thank everyone at Portsea Venture for the card they made for us, we will frame it and hang it up! Thank you! 

Special thanks to all the staff at Portsea Venture, Michelle, Cal, Liz, Alice ( ...you guys rock and commend what you do, thanks for the hospitality!), Clare Hussein (@maibikita... and of course Miss Bikita for organising us to come down) and to the Ghostdavandal Originals Team, namely Aman Mahoon (...for the tiresome driving) and Marvin H Mudzongo..Thanks!

Customise Ur Life

Be Original

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

Ghostdavandal Originals @ Upfest Bristol 2013

Ghostdavandal@Upfest Street Art Festival
Date: 25-27th May 2013
Location: Bristol

Bristol itself is a gallery of arts, a mosaic of colour and a hub of creative activity with large exhibitionist pieces that drape along tall buildings to mini stencil pieces dotted around corners that if you look too quick you might miss them. There's no doubt that this is town that has embraced it's graffiti community and combined it into the towns features and has become a highlight which benefits the whole community.

The Upfest Festival provided viewers with a gallery view of live art along one of it's main strips, with pockets of activities in off-road locations such as pub gardens, small parks and simply on the side of buildings.  An array of artist lined up the event, displaying their work to visitors and onlookers.

Our personal favourites and highlights of the whole weekend include rmer1, Kelzo (who we seem to run into regularly...good to c u there), Inkie, Oner (classic favourite) and we also ran into Fancyfeatures who ran a Giant Colouring-in wall and gave spectators a chance to ink something too.

Other artists include Inca (Inca grafx), @faithfourseven, Cosmos Sarsen, @Telmomiel, @brave1graffiti and @Airbornemark where some of the favourites from the whole weekend but our highlight was C215 (@christianguermy). His mural was the main feature of the whole weekend for us and became a central discussion point for spectators, attendees and everyone that went past it. Truly amazing and talented, the piece was finished on the second day to allow spectators and trading to resume...what a talent.

Special thanks to the Organisers and sponsors for such a well organised event and a display of street art that puts Bristol on the map and we look forward to coming back soon!! Special thanks go to M1ssey-LA-nous, Darrel (@1nnfoeD), Aman Mahoon and Marvin Hagglar.


What a trip!!!





MH

Ghostdavandal at SmashdownTV presents Big Narstie

Ghostdavandal @Smashdown TV presents Big Narstie
Date 20th May 2013
Location: Academy Music Venue

An amazing showcase of live music, courtesy of an array of local musicians and dancers that got up on stage and wowed the crowd before Big Narstie got up and tore the #Base up!


An energetic performance from the BST Dance Crew kicked off the night, ice breaking the event with a new repertoire that was edgy and definitely entertaining...looking forward to seeing more from these young breakers...Keep an eye out for them...This was followed by an explosive performance from the Notorious G13 crew , featuring two of Northampton's sought after MC's...Audio Narxx and Izzie Gibbs,they ripped it with the largest entourage that Academy had ever seen on stage! A very energetic performance. i know i won't forget that one too quick...G13 brrrrap!

Other performances that rocked the crowd include the soulful Angelo, capturing the ladies attention....Karen Preet serenaded the stage with a blissful voice.  King Kash, Jnr Artist and Wanda made their presence felt with some thought provoking lyrics and stage presence.

Another ground moving performance came from Troy Valentine and brother Kreaps held it down with engaging beats and lyrics...this is another local act to lookout for...watch this space!!

Finally, Big Narstie aka Uncle Pain made his presence felt by bringing the house down! The crowd responded to his vibrance and moved with a kinetic energy that lifted everyone who was there!  Energy!!! is the word that stuck in my head and i can't wait to see a show filled with this much action, lyrics, energy and a very good vibe that made the warmish evening night a good Sunday Out!

We at Ghostdavandal originals would like to thank all those who came down to the Smashdown TV presents Big Narstie event at The Academy Music Venue.   Good to see all the friendly faces that attended...you know who you are...Ceasar (Eclectic Eyes), Lord@Grime Report, MyTees, Ras (G13), Victor etc

Special Thanks to the whole Smashdown TV crew...Tubz, D-Wiser, Green Lung, DJ Skratch, Dama James, The Academy Music Venue staff...of course the GDV team Tasha, Darren, M1ssey-LA-neous, Marvin Hagglar and Aman Mahoon!

C u at the next Smashdown TV event...

M H

Don't F'up the #BASE lol

Flip The Script - Empowerment Day

Ghostdavandal Originals attended the Flip the Script Event Day on Friday 3rd May 2013 in Bracknell. The Event Day focused on providing participating youths with engaging positive, motivational activities designed to meet their social and developmental needs. It offered a source of advice, information and sign posting to those who are NEET to attend to work, work experience, college, or education and training.

Full of inspiring and motivational speakers, artists and musicians, Ghostdavandal Originals were delighted to deliver A Customize Ur Life Workshop.  The day began with a introduction speech from Executive Director , Stefan Russell of Experto Credite, who related his past to his goals and current achievements as a source of inspiration for him to reach his goals. A performance from the rap duo.... seemed to kick start the day and got the ball rolling.  Youths were divided into small groups and rotated through different areas of the event during the whole day, with a session left for them to pick as their favourite workshop.

For instance, Area 1 was set for workshops discussing Healthy Relationships run by Anita Bhardwaj, Area 2 workshops were held by Dr Michele Mc Dowell about positive self talk, Area 4 was all about Fitness and Nutrition with advice from Jennie and Carl (we found ourselves taking note of some of the health advice) and we where situated in Area 3 between the two workshops.

 Lifford ( an amazing soul musician), The dance group, Bodecia and Alim Kamara were amongst the performers and even our very own Marvin Hagglar performed an impromptu collabo with the young talent, Brendon Sparks. Alim Kamara definitely spoke with intent and got beneath the surface with his life changing presentation and with his charisma and humour, was definitely a highlight of the day.

The Event Day had a definite buzz about it and the messages of self development, self improvement and self expression floated in the air, behind the scenic backdrop of the Golf Centre, you couldn't have asked for more.

Special thanks to Dee Albert (@FlipTheScript5), who organised the event alongside Liz Hassock (Bracknell Forest) and to all the young participants that attended. All the Facilitators who we worked along with and met, Lyric L, Rurai Hignell, 4ward Thinking, Michael Joseph, all the Flip The Script staff and volunteers, special thanks from the Ghostdavandal Team and see you at the next event.

Dont forget to....Flip The Script!

M.H