The Estate Agent

Could I be the next apprentice?

Andy writes: When Jill first came to our school everyone thought that this was going to be really silly. But after we gave it an hour or so to plan out what we were going to do we couldn't get enough of it! One idea sprang another idea, things we thought weren't possible actually were. We found out ways of communicating with the community around Westbury, seeing how they reacted was brilliant!

Cue, film & action! Off to Eastenders!

6.00 am today Quest 2 are on the way to visit the BBC TV Studios in White City, London, in the old banger of a school bus kindly driven by Head of Art, Mr Oakley. I have no idea what you have been working on, he said, at the planning meeting regarding logistics for the journey, but how will I recognise you in the city?  Mrs Leach had unearthed funds for this unique opportunity of a scriptwriting day and, as five black sheep had been working together on a film project without a plan, it seemed as good a place as any to learn how to knit together (retrospectively) a narrative for their action movie.  The dream is to make a short film, with music and share on YouTube.

Opticians check-up

DISSAFFECTED nosense and gobbleydook and utter RUBBISH, I can't see the point of a RABBITTTittttt, you or me on a quest! muttered a fluffy orange creature, as a group of lads led the way for this overstuffed character and his best friend to be introduced into places of work in Westbury town in the name of modern art. 

Rabbits have a remarkably wide field of vision

....a good deal of their eyesight is for overhead scanning of predators!

Along the way did anyone mention Alice in Wonderland, Chinese Year of the Rabbit, pie for dinner, cuddly darling pet, feral creature, total pest, lucky foot, icon, once upon a time treasured toy, price of hutches, need for control, fertility, symbol of sexuality, carrots, or even notice long ears, orange fur, green top hat, jacket, bow tie, pink ribbon, sticky out hands & feet & very large teeth & totally pinkerly poor eyeball eyesight that needed keeping an eye on things by thank you the very nice kindly optician who explained exactly what was what?

A visit to the Peugot Garage & beyond!

Heather

It was a complete surprise to myself, you and Bev, when Quest 1 group (in the main, not all) showed reluctance to take up an exciting opportunity to visit Create Studios in Swindon, to document audio, create ipods and capture performance, because the timing clashed with when the school was closed.  So far, everyone has shown commitment, enthusiasm and focus, but simply, they preferred a day off school.  Apparently this was their dream day.

As we agreed, yourself, Bev and I, without total commitment we felt that the trip be cancelled for the Quest 1 trip to Create Studios.  I will need to ring and cancel this morning, but it is within 24 hours, so not sure if there will be a charge.  Will confirm.  Can you email or text me so that I can let Barry & the studios know that work is cancelled and, because he is freelance, he won't get paid.  Bev was kindly going to bring the lads up to Swindon on the train, so there are the train tickets also to consider, can we get a refund?  Barry was committed to the project as it is his toys, his heritage from his Auntie Rene who dreamed of being on the stage, but never made it, other than the theatre box offices.  He said that this project celebrates her dream, a homage.  But more importantly, what is their goal?

I realise that some students definitely wanted to go to Create, and this is because they have already started a response to the project - which others haven't yet, beyond the collective creative input.  So, my feeling is perhaps the timing wasn't right in terms of the individual students being behind the idea, it needs to be led by their own work/ideas/input.

Group 2 have made their decision to go to London to the BBC and will need to be at school on Thursday at 6.00 am, it will be a long day, but exciting and shows enthusiastic commitment.  However, different groups work in different ways.  The discussions with Quest 1 revealed core issues, when one of the students clearly brought up the question of who would respond to the project, yet we have discovered how it engages, delights and informs people. But the main thing it is for each student.  Why have this group of lads been selected.  Where are the girls?  Do the parents know what is going on...  So this project, is about identity.  And those who showed reluctance to think outside the box, are revealing their character.  Those who have consistently put in, have revealed and shared their creative spirit.  Brilliant stuff.   

You only get one chance, he said!

The man in Peugot garage was really keen on education, and enthusiastically took part in the project, trustingly handing Rabbit & Clown the keys to a £25,000 new car.  So, do we only get one chance, is this true?  Maybe I have too high expectations, or failed to direct this point in the creative process, some of lads are under utilised in the project, and I am think timing is all in positive goal setting, creative change and response, some of us in life prefer to lead, others to follow direction.   What has been revealed is that for some there may be lack of confidence, self-esteem and reaching for goals.  What my  goal is about being enthusiastic, having fun, living a creative life, being positive, seeing the bigger picture - enjoying mad storytelling.  It is all about the journey!

I feel excited that it has revealed the nature of what Quest is all about exploring and adventure, unearthing each of our dreams and aspirations, using in this instance icon objects (toys). But first and foremost what is each of the students goal in this project?  I think we hadn't got to capturing that point, and there needs to be more input from others, whether parents, sixth formers or younger children.  We need voice, about what is the dream.   To get more followers of the Blog, I think we need to go viral, how do we do that????  Can we get the press involved?  If so, when?

I don't know about you, but I have really enjoyed working together, want to harness that and all I ask is to gauge commitment.  So, to sum up, fine art is all about problem solving. I need all Questarians 1, who haven't done so already, to spend some of their day off...reading the Blog, post a note about their ideas for getting the blog, comments out and in...can we use mobile phones and the facebook to ask the question: what is your dream?  Can each Questarian get their parents to comment on the Blog and suggest where we could send the link?  Perhaps all the people we visited in town could be sent the link to the blog, the butcher, vet, estate agent, car dealer, etc.  Who else in the school can post a note or a comment?  Perhaps you and Bev could start?

I am in next Thursday morning for Quest 1.  Let's make no other decisions till then for visits outside of school, instead we will need to get cracking on making some creative change happen!   Meanwhile, I was thinking my dream I have decided is to read out the Westbury Blog on BBC Radio!!!

Many thanks.

Jill

Dressing Up!

A hot humid summer's day and lads are looking a bit strained.  Do we have to wear school uniform, they ask? when a visit to Create Studios is planned for sound and performance opportunities... Oh dear, I think, Bev warned me there might be difficulty with a teacher's strike on our hands.  What do you mean, I ask, sweetly.  Well, the rest of the school will have a day off and we will working. Its not fair they cried.  Yet another 48 minutes of just talking takes place, but this time there are sullen looks, and talk of being rubbish at everything..and the mantra of 'What's the point'?

Andrew meanwhile asks if he get crack on with making a brilliant dig photo album and Ali and Charlie shoot off to compose some more plonky music.  Why do we have to go anyway?  I do the maths, then share with them the costs for the day.  Charlie who has just returned from Glastonbury says, he doesn't see the point to a music recording centre.  Whaaat! I cry, you must have vibrations galore in your head, put them to good use.  I valiantly try to rescue the situation and mention that the others are going to the BBC on the same day with a 6.00 am start, we thought you would like a treat too, I say doubtfully at this point.  George has a right royal strop and Kieran continues to flop about and consistently moans about being rubbish and how can he write a story about a rabbit feeling rubbish, when all he can do is rubbish and who will read it, and who will visit the blog, nobody, and by the way he is BORED.

In the midst of it all, disappointment reigns, the boys are high viz cranky and I can feel my hair standing on end, and there is a feeling for a need of something strong, whilst Bev's eyes are narrowing and Mrs Leach's shoulders look like they are going to implode.  The nearby large pair of copper tailoring scissors look tempting, but in a flash and a flurry of newly found fabric there is a quick stage set up and a makeover.  Harry bravely rises to the challenge and Henry leaps up onto the table and flips a video camera into action.  There is finally a late news report, but by this time we have all lost the plot and there is talk of cancelling all action.

I think we have been doing too much about WORK,
what we need is to PLAY!

Bratton Woods and back again!

During the project of Quest I have met new people, learnt new things and had exciting experiences!! We have been to the White Horse and really enjoyed ourselves, we have been sliding down hills and the White Horse itself!

We have also been to Bratton Woods and had a really good time! We have been running through the woods, running through streams, swinging on rope swings hanging from trees and some of the group have been walking through pools of running water!

It has been a really good experience and I would LOVE to do something like this again! :-)

Art isn't just about drawing and painting it can be done through getting out of school!  

White Horse

I really enjoyed this outing it was amazing it felt like standing on the edge of the world.

I also really took well to directing the sheep and filming it was a great experience... meeting the two ladies praying to god and telling us what they think about the sheep and them singing thier song to us...I really would love to go again.

The Garden of Eden

White Horse to Bratton Woods 

all the experience 

trying something new with art 

We swung swings fell down hills 

little black sheep learnt 

& met interesting people 

intrigued with what we were doing

It's been a brilliant time

will be sad to see it leave!

The sheep find out about creation

Hi Ho! Hi Ho!

The sheep decide to journey back to White Horse Hill, the ancient site, and retrace their steps from the very first outing (when the video camera ran out of battery and before we had Jacob).  The lads discuss a plan of action and set off. Bev and I rush to keep up, muttering about the cosy environ of a classroom, perhaps we should have had done some army orienteering training as prep.  The sheep are working well together, as none of them can see the way (Note: the heads have no eyes in them), we watch in wonder as true teamwork, trusting and an alliance is forged. Meanwhile, James valiantly directs the sheep from his position in the long grass, over the ridge, up the hill, down through a REAL FLOCK, and along the pathway.  I blow the adventure whistle sharply which alerts ACTION and enter right the sheep.  James, trying valiantly not to laugh, steadies his camera hand in true director fashion and keeps a steady frame and focus. The sheep march along into the pathway as though on some vision quest.  Look at the amazing pattern of the grass, James says poetically, as the wind whips around us, clouds scud above and the sheep roll down the bank.

Suddenly, against the backdrop of birds singing, wind blowing and sun shining, we all hear different sounding voices in the landscape.  Two female figures are on the horizon, calling out to the wind and sky.  What is going on the boys ask? A ceremony.  A ritual.  Are they arguing or praying?

We discover Joy, singing praises to the Lord for all creation, including sheep she says.

A visit to the vets for an MOT!

It was decided to take Gregory for a MOT check up at the local veterinary surgery.  Kieran and I enter the reception and explain we are doing an art project and request a private consultation. The other lads with Bev are outside, out of view, waiting for the response. The receptionist informs us that it is clinic time and she thinks the vet will be too busy.  Suddenly the door opens and a nice chap gives a big smile and says it will be no problem, he has time for another client.  The other lads promptly file in, whilst a spotty dalmation eyes them up.  We are ushered into the consultation room. This is very good of you, I say, but Rabbit's hygiene is seriously under par, what about H & S.  Never mind, says the vet, we will take care of that and a cool stethoscope is placed on one slightly grubby furry chest.  Hmm, he says, frowning, oh dear, I feel no heart beat.  I shall also check for teeth and worms, classical problems in a rabbit.  The boys smile. Some questions follow as our little friend is given the once over.  Q. How long does it take to train to be a vetinary surgeon? What subjects do you have to study?  Who was the trickiest customer you have ever had?  Well, he kindly replied, people think this job is all about animals, but really you have to like people.  He went on to share a vivid memory of having his whole head inside some large dogs jaws.  The boys smile some more.  Hmm, I say, dangerous, not really, I should have taken more precautions.

A discussion takes place about Gregory's overall condition.  Its sad he couldn't have an operation, I say.  Well, lets see, was the answer.  A minute later an operating room is located and a nurse is invited to assist. Oh no, she cries. Oh yes, he says.  The lads are requested to wait in the waiting room, thankfully the dalmation has gone home.  There is nervous anticipation. Then like anxious parents Charlie with flip camera, George with Gregory and myself are led into the pristine clinical conditions to find Greg under the knife, a very green sheet and operating lights. It was very moving.

Outside in the reception, the receptionist kindly informed the lads that a REAL rabbit would cost £100 for dental concerns, they gasp, then the further quote of £150 for castration provokes a quick biology exchange, and a final gasp at the cost of £1,000 for a bunnie limb. Well, she suggests sweetly, I recommend you take out a PetPlan and there is a rush for preventative literature.

Yes, I was right, there is no heartbeat!

The search for inspiration...

At the outset of ideas for Quest 1 Kieran and George had mentioned a book they had both found inspiring.  It was called Terence.  Hmm, we think it was about a cat, they said, you may find it in the library?.. was the author a Mac somebody? Yes, maybe it could have been written by Mick McCarthy, Manager of Wolves Football Club.  Searching on-line and in the libraries still couldn't find it.   In a quest to track the book down, I ring the football club "did your manager write a book about a cat that wanted to become somebody?"...the phone goes quiet, but finally the long silence is followed by a scuffling of asking around.   Oh no, pet, said the lady, its a mystery, we've never heard of it.  So, we continued to all search for the book EVERYWHERE.

What we have all learnt is that all folk who have participated in this project have been brilliant.  Their responses have been interesting, but so has the lads...when unearthing skills and talents in response to our harebrained schemes, the lads would often immediately say that either they were utterly brilliant, not want to be noticed, or say that they were rubbish.  Kieran came to the rescue!  I invited him to write a story about Rabbit.  What about a rabbit that thought he was rubbish at everything he suggested.  As the lads in the media suite worked on film, sound, photo slideshows, music, cartoons and a play, he stared and stared at a blank screen.  Shall you tell the story to me and I type it for you, I asked, NOOOOOOOOO, he said, I'll do it, thank you.  Think of all the little children who would be interested, I suggested. And so he did.

Location, location, location

Well, art is nothing if it doesn't have concrete context.  Westbury, a small market town, was once well known for making wool and gloves because of its natural spring water.  It has a beautiful ancient rural landscape, industrial heritage and historic buildings.  The iconic white horse hill and cement works chimney are both outstanding location markers in the landscape.  Well, the once upon a time factory (a place of work for many local folk) now has been mothballed and moved its main operations. The Manager explained that he was an ex-Matravers student, but now as THE BOSS is responsible for the safety of the huge site.  He was impressed by the stories of the Questarians ingenuity, leadership skills, teamwork and creativity, "We never had anything at school like that" he reflected from behind his desk.   I ask if we could pay a visit to the factory as the buildings are amazing, but he shows me his office full of piles of H & S regs and Risk Assessment forms.  Hmm, I think, enjoying a breather and time to sip a mug of tea kindly made for me, what happened to the art of making it up as you go along?

Subsequently, one June day, if you were handy with a pair of binoculars you may have spotted same strange looking sheep up on the landscape appreciating nature, hanging on for dear life on a very windy day on the Westbury hills, on what felt like the edge of the world. It was a marvellous moment to take time out and appreciate the view. I suddenly recalled researching the location, and found that Midge Ure the scottish singer had made a music video called Breathe filmed up on that very spot....Oh yes, breathe, I thought, when remembering that I was the one in the hands of a handful of sheep who were genius at being the boss of plotting, planning and imagining where next.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USFr5VeLQ2o

It's butcher's for us!

Quest 1 decided to take Greg the Rabbit to visit the butchers.  Interestingly I decided it took about one minute before folk asked to get involved would start to play.  But frankly, the Butcher was amazing.  In a flash of an eyeball he had the kids entranced with sides of lamb, pigs heads and a huge bit of beef and glinting sharp knives.  Rabbit looked a bit pale when faced with a huge flashing cleaver.  It all got very theatrical, and a eyeball was gouged out of the pigs head and thrown against the nicely washed tiles.  There was total impressive silence.

Did someone mention Carravaggio?

Of course, THE BIG QUESTION IS...will anyone have spotted strange goings on around Westbury and beyond, and will anyone care?  What was the point of it all?  Oh yes, engagement. Focus and inspire the students, develop community links and awareness of the real world.  Lets face it, when moi the artist is gone and the dust has settled, will the boys still be inspired?  Will the mystery of it all become a myth?  We have talked possible ways of sharing the story, including press exposure, but frankly when is the time to let the media loose on them.  When asked which was the favourite documentary photograph the Quest 1 lads all voted No.1 the butchery scene.

Move over Banksy! We're the next generation of artists!
http://www.banksy.co.uk/

Where did Rabbit & Clown come from?

Once upon a time a lady called Auntie Rene had a dream to be on the stage.

Barry, ex XTC rocker and now sound engineer & musician, kindly loaned the archive of toys for the Matravers Quest Project.  One day, he said, Jill I think you are just the person for Auntie Rene's ghastly toys.  And, so it was that a large nicotine stained carrot coloured rabbit, a set of clowns and a poodle, started out their new adventure on my sofa, looking larger than life, whilst we discussed Auntie's unfulfilled dreams of wanting to be an actress.  Perhaps they could go on a journey for her, I said.  Meanwhile, ex rock star Barry kindly shares some brilliant portrait pics.

Rabbit & Clown belonged to Auntie Rene,
who dreamed of being on the stage!

Auntie Rene loved collecting, do you?

here you go Jill

the Legend that was Aunty Rene (second from right)

-the 'girls' one was them all partying at the Coal Hole in the Strand (opp the Adelphi) with Anna Neagle (soon to be Dame Anna) who was

a big actress at the time (tho cant remember anything she was in).

soon

B

Westbury & beyond!

Quest 2, decided a change of perspective would be cool.   Yes, black sheep do different stuff, lets find a way to really get out there...this could be interesting. Leadership/teamwork was not exactly discussed, more it just happened, a few props and a change of identity took place as quick as a flash.  Where shall we go?  To the White Horse Hill was the cry!  And so, the black sheep, packed themselves into a mini bus, took cameras and a sense of the great unknown and set off into nature.  They were careful to observe the signs along the way as they couldn't actually see a thing!

Where next?

"I thought you were mad when we first met you!" said James, about Jill the artist, remembering how we started out in a drama room, a large group of lads with no shoes on, some strange looking oversized toys, including a rabbit, clown, a poodle with a zipped gusset and a whole bunch of creepy clowns which tinkled when moved. Also, later discovered was a red curtain, a roadside mirror (did someone ask if it was nicked?), a bag with mystery stuff inside. There was no plan, except introduce the toys, each other and have no plan - maybe confusion would set in and half of them would go home. "I don't know what we are doing", said George, over and over, "nor do I? was the reply...."it's all up to you!!!"

Quest 1, Ali, Andrew, Charlie,George, Harry, Henry & Kieran, adopted the giant carrot coloured giant rabbit, and named him Gregory, it was suggested that together with the clown called Charlie, they could go a journey, to perhaps find his way home, to find how to be real and to become somebody! "He's a bit smelly!" was the cry, and so the rabbit's lineage was respectfully discussed - the fact that Auntie Rene (the owner of the toys) smoked 80 fags a day, but dreamt of one day being on the stage, but only made it to working in box offices of some of the most famous theatres of London. "What would they need to survive?" food, housing, work, cleanliness, general healthcare, transport, friends? "Perhaps rabbit could transform from just being nobody to becoming a somebody?" said Kieran.

Quest 2, Chris, Eden, James and Will talked archetypal characters, wizards, altered perspectives, alchemy, weird stuff and there was an interesting discussion about who was most SPECIAL. "Look into my eyes, look into my eyes" said the artist, and donning a fine set of life sized Shaun the Sheep heads, they felt transformed as REAL sheep. And so entered Jacob to herd them into shape. "Let's take to the White Horse hills!" they cried. Mrs Leach who had commissioned the project mentioned that boys thrive on an element of RISK, and later was heard to mutter something about world domination. And, so it all began, a series of journeys, a whole host of folk and surprised moments, interesting events, places, a collection of ideas, Flip cameras, iPads, dig cameras, artist and amazing teacher's assitant Bev and mini- bus. We set off one Quest at a time to discover the REAL world...of Westbury, and maybe wonder about what is beyond!

It all started with a visit to Westbury centre!

QUEST

A rabbit, clown and some black sheep undertake an amazing adventure around Westbury and beyond!

An exciting participatory arts project created by twelve nominated students from Matravers School, Westbury & Jill Carter, Social Engagement Artist. Exploring the theme of identity, the lads directed and undertook a series of performative journeys. Using a collection of found objects (toys), they set out to explore a world of work & play, responding to folk, everyday situations and environments along the way. The hugely creative process was documented with photography, film, drawings, dialogue & journals. There was potential to unearth, stories to unfold and dreams of a large rabbit, clown and group of black sheep ... finding their way, discovering new friends, standing out from the crowd, and truly becoming somebody!

A chance to think outside the box!

I"m on a journey, to be somebody, are you?

It was a brave decision on the part of Matravers School teacher Heather Leach to let a social engagement artist loose on a group of teenage students.  An invitation to join in a quest was taken up by the 12 x 13 year lads, the artist and a teacher's assistant and some toys.   The lads sorted themselves into two groups. Quest 1 choose to take an overstuffed orange Rabbit and name it Gregory and decided that he needed to find his way home.   His friend, Clown, christened Charlie, would keep him company whilst we all went on a hugely unplanned adventure which was to be conceived and directed by the students.  When faced with a chance to get out of school it was decided to visit the town centre of Westbury, an old once upon a time wool market town.   Ideas were discussed about how Rabbit could make its way home, become REAL, become SOMEBODY.  It was decided that for this to happen, food, a place to work, eat and relax would be required.  What about travel, health concerns, making friends and exploring interests.   What about a visit to people at work, oh yes!  And so it was Greg & Charlie set off to the estate agents, cleaners, church, library, pet shop, vets, opticians, car showrooms, heritage centre and butchers.   There was a dream too about getting out into the bigger wider world.  At that point no one knew what was going on, least of all the artist.