Weather
Closely linked to the seasons, different types
of weather can be explored within an abstract context; wind, rain, snow, ice
with all the associated visual, tactile and aural clues you can give to
reinforce that experience. Alternatively it can be linked to seasonal and/or
geographical activities; Autumn, a white Xmas, being on a beach or crossing the tundra. The following examples have been used
within a workshop context
Sunshine - this can be achieved by using bright, yellowy orange light to
create the illusion of a hot, sunny day. If lights are unavailable, covering windows with a thin light material like gauze can
also create the desired effect. Presenting a slow sunrise or sunset provides a
visually arresting event and emphasises the contrast of moving from darkness to
light, or vice-versa. If complimented with a wind gong the event
becomes magical and powerful. Using costume can reinforce the hot, sunny day
theme - wearing sunhats/caps and massaging with suntan cream
(check for sensitive skin). Choosing a location that is associated with
sunshine will provide activities to explore i.e. a sandy beach, sunny Utah, a
summer flowering garden. Include creatures also associated with summer, maybe
bees and butterflies, and the experience is complete.
Wind - can be heard, felt and even seen as it
moves cloths or streamers around the space. Windmills are great for helping people to
understand that, although wind can't itself be seen, its effect can be seen and
felt.
Handheld fans can create localised wind and be brought close to wheelchair users. Chinese windfans add wonderful movement opportunities, filling a whole space.
Hanging white organza around a space and rippling or gently wafting them, enables participants to create the feel of moving air themselves and demonstrates the effect of wind, as on a washing line.
Using electric fans offers numerous options: they can make streamers dance and turn tissue paper, petals, bubbles or leaves into swirling riots of colour, make windmills spin and even blow bubbles.
If you sing into the front of an electric fan, it gives the sound a vibrato quality. Wind sound effects add realism and dynamics to the overall effect.
Billowing a parachute can create a windstorm, as it is rippled overhead and brought down with gusto, creating its own acoustic sounds. For a tornado simply introduce an electric fan underneath.
Ice -
Exploring ice can be done in a variety of ways, though a good starting point is to give bowls of actual ice-cubes
for people to feel on fingers and toes. Alternatively the clear/blue
plastic variety could be used as these won't melt. Think about costume - furry or woolly bobble
hats and scarves can give a variety of tactile experiences. Mirrors can be used to create the reflective
surface of ice, to slide over, to roll gels/balls over. Icebergs can be made from layering stretchwrap
over a white pipe frame. These have the translucent quality of ice and can be
lit from inside for added effect. Building icebergs and igloos
with empty white boxes is great fun and provides a cooperative activity which
many enjoy.
Hanging chimes and metallic sounds seem to
echo the icy wastelands of the tundra. Perhaps include a character i.e. The
Snow Queen, in your iceworld. The use of furs, blankets and rugs to keep
warm in this environment allows the creation of a safe place and further
exploration of textures.
Ice-pops provide an icy treat to taste.
Rain -
often heard before it is seen, can be replicated by using a variety of
instruments - rainsticks, ocean drums or anklung. Simple tapping on a soundboard or tambour can give the
effect of rain dripping and falling.
Playing mbiras (thumb pianos) on soundboards, tables or trays gives gentle rain sounds, as well as acoustically amplified vibrations for clients to feel.
Vocal sounds can also be used repetitively, drip, drip, pitter, patter etc, and there are many songs about rain if your participants like to sing and vocalise! Using a combination of related sounds at the same time will also create an ever changing soundscape. Gentle metallophones add a melodic element to the atmosphere
Using costume adds another dimension - rainhats, wellies, cheap, coloured plastic ponchos for example, helping to unify the group and reinforce the theme
Clear water gels look and feel exactly like raindrops and catch the light beautifully. They also behave like rain when dropped and go dancing across the space or over boards. They can be rolled down clear plastic corrugated sheets, but be careful to catch them at the bottom!
Umbrellas are an obvious resource when exploring 'rain'. Shelter beneath, listening to the sound of rain pattering on them, encouraging movement, spinning and twirling. For an enhanced effect, tape stripped plastic or silver space blanket around the edge of transparent umbrellas. These look and sound like flurries of rain when twirled.
Snow - A soft, safe, snowy landscape can easily be
created with cheap double quilts strewn across the floor, covered with
white kingsize sheets for easy washing. This enticing giant bed of snow draws
even the most reluctant to the floor, where participants can explore crawling,
rolling and playing together. Kapok provides another snowy
resource. You can use mosquito net 'tents' to contain large quantities of it,
within which clients can bury themselves, enjoy the soft fluffiness or just
rest.
Snowballs can be replicated with white
balloons, polystyrene balls of varying sizes and ping-pong balls. They are all
light and will not harm others when thrown, or smash when dropped. Have some
fun! Snowflakes or snow lights hanging from bare branches around a
space can enhance a snowy forest and help create a snow scene. For snow you can use polystyrene chips, a
cheap packaging resource, which when dropped from a height, float to the ground
like snowflakes. There are many kinds of decorative snow available. The powdery
snow feels amazing when offered in large quantities and contained in a large
plastic tray. Snow can also be bought in the form of snow blankets, which
glitter and sparkle in the light. Snow globes are also fascinating objects to
enjoy.
Try using a mirror ball to send white snow
swirling around the space like a blizzard.
Travelling over snow provides another activity
- perhaps riding a sledge, playing bells and singing as you go, or simply
skating over a mirror lake, but take care and help each other. Large icy
surfaces can be made using either large acrylic mirrors or sheets of layered stretchwrap taped to the floor.
