Aurora School - Agapantha 2022/2023 by auroraschoolvn

Materials in Dialogue

2022/2023

Materials in Dialogue

Every material has its own qualities and personality and over time the material becomes a part of your language. ‘Materials in Dialogue’ led you on a magical journey of becoming active participants in your learning, as you constructed your own knowledge when interacting with materials, the environment and each other. Throughout the year, as we explored and researched our chosen materials and their properties, it was very obvious to see your creativity evolve, along with your ability to think critically about the world around you.

What range of possible transformations could these materials undergo?

To fully engage with and explore the materials, a deeper understanding and dialogue occurred as you built on previous experiences and knowledge. You became artists, scientists and researchers. What follows is a wonderful dialogue between the materials as you met, discovered and ultimately transformed them.

Ms. Penny (Pedagogista)

“Learning and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just watch the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a journey down the water. Through an active, reciprocal exchange, teaching can strengthen learning and how to learn.”

Loris Malaguzzi (from the catalogue of the exhibit ‘The Hundred Languages of Children’)

Self portraits

Pen on paper, Collaborative art

Over the Moon, Acrylic on canvas, Collaborative art

I cannot believe that I am writing these words for our publication already. What a year of amazing learning, not only for you but also for all of us in Agapantha. You have grown immensely, and it warms our hearts to be the ones to have witnessed it. Allowing you the time and space to delve into deep playful learning, embracing the magic of play...

It was so special being able to explore and wonder together but the best of all was being a part of your learning journey from the very beginning. Thank you.

Ms Roma and the Agapantha team.

Glue Glorious Glue!

This amazing project started magically after observing and noticing your love for cutting paper and using glue (lots of glue). We thought you would enjoy having a space where you could explore and expand your urge to cut and paste. We wanted to give you the opportunity to revisit the same experience over and over, at times that you chose... to become experts... hence our glue table became a firm favourite through its constant use and availability.

Mia Marble painting with acrylic on canvas

We noticed that some of you to begin with were observers, simply curious as to what and how your friends used the table. You needed time to build confidence, to watch and observe first, before joining in!

Having the glue table always present and available led to your deep understanding of how glue, moves, dribbles, runs, and falls. How items interlock and connect. This glue table became a significant part of your long-term journey into developing relationships with materials.

We love the glue puddles and your creativity, Agapantha friends!

Glue Table

Assemblage of mixed media on wood, Collaborative art

Constructing Aurora

While Aurora was under construction, we noticed your eyes wide open with curiosity when the Aurora maintenance crew and carpenters, wearing their hats and carrying their tools, were working around the school.

We could hear the occasional sound of drills and hammers.

BANG BANG BANG!

We had also noticed the construction corner becoming increasingly busy, with wooden towers going up and falling. How could we guide this emerging interest?

During our Atelier sessions, Ms. Claire collected wood from our carpenter, and we arranged it in the courtyard. There were screwdrivers and hammers for you to explore, taking responsibility in a way that showed observation, caution, and care.

We noticed that you were trying to stick the pieces of wood together… and we wondered and talked together of ways for you to do this.

It was an opportunity for a new discovery. And that’s when tape arrived!

You all were so eager to use the masking tape and scissors. Cutting together strips of tape, helping each other to attach the pieces, such wonderful collaboration. It took a few strips of tape for the wood to stick together. But you continued trying and you did not give up!

Encouraging your growing knowledge with combining materials and allowing you all to build and create at your own pace, with your own ideas, brought (took?) your dialogue with wood to a whole new level. Agapantha, this was a story of playful learning with creativity, exploration, investigation, and imagination that emphasised wonder and joy.

“Yummy donuts”

“Ship

Ayaki

boat” Siena

“Rainbow” Mia and Nam

Artwork

Wood goes on a journey with Fabric

We noticed that fabric had become a big hit in the class while observing you playing with the flowing curtains and the fabric in the imaginative play area. To deepen your growing relationship with this material we brought pieces of fabric to assembly to explore together.

Collaborative artwork, mixed media

“Swimming pool”

Harry

“Where can you see fabric in our classroom?”

“Curtain” - said Kaleb pointing at them

“Bean bag” - Harry

“Ribbon” - Hugh

“Where does fabric come from?” - Ms. Roma

“Outside” - Kaleb

“Spider” - Nick

What would happen if we were to synthesise the dialogues we had been having throughout the year?

Would combining glue, wood, paper, and fabric enable a deeper understanding and therefore a deeper relationship?

Artwork by Mia

Together with pieces of wood and paper, we offered you lots of small scraps of assorted colours and textures of fabric. Joining these materials offered you not only unlimited opportunities to play and create but also to share and inspire each other.

You were all so engaged and creative.

Artwork by Triet

Artwork by Ryo

“Pirate

ship” by Nick

We believe that the longer that you explore a material, the more valuable it becomes. When you have the time to play with it and use it as much as you want, you are building expertise. Expertise allows for new interactions and combinations... and that’s when TAPE appeared once again.

Artwork by Thỏ

Collaborative artwork with fabric and paint on canvas

We went on a journey using fabric to make our self-portraits...

Harry Lana Nhim Triet

Siena

Mio

Ryo

Glowing Fabric

Light is a source of ever-changing wonder for you. Combining it with fabric created an endless source of inspiration and joy. We hung up the fabric and used projectors to create a different atmosphere and environment...

You enjoyed the softness of the fabric; you wrapped it around yourself together with friends, imagining and inspiring hundreds of worlds to explore. The effect of light everywhere made the space become colourful, creating huge excitement and lots of joy.

“Nothing without joy” Loris Malaguzzi

As eduators, we see learning and playing as the same, and we try to create an environment from which joy can emerge. It has been delightful seeing you share the magic of laughter, awe and wonder together, learning from and with one another. We hope that you can treasure all these moments close to your heart, Agapantha, because they are very special. Thanks for reminding us that joy comes from the simplest of things!

Much love, Roma, Sang, Ha and Dung.

Nam Marble painting with acrylic on canvas

Collaborative artwork with sharpies and paint on canvas, Agapantha children and families

Researchers

Hieu Van

Nam

Harry

Lana

Mio

Kaleb

Soma

Siena

Nick

Triet

Tony

Mia

Hugh

Nhím

Kate Ryo

Ayaki

Ms. Roma

Ms. Sang

Ms. Ha

Ms. Dung

Ms. Claire (Atelierista)

Ms. Penny (Pedagogista)

AURORA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

11 - 11A - 13 - 15 Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. +84 (028) 3744 2991 info@auroraschool.vn www.auroraschool.vn Academic Year 2022/2023

Artwork by Lana