Public Engagement
When Forms Come Alive, Hayward Gallery
Our Make Sense – Kentish Town group recently enjoyed its second visit to the Hayward Gallery's relaxed hours program. This time, we explored the "When Forms Come Alive" exhibition, which focuses on contemporary sculpture through the lens of movement, flux, and organic growth.
We continue to be impressed by the Hayward Gallery's commitment to accessibility within their relaxed viewings. Our visit began with participants collaboratively planning the day using a toolbox of potential activities. These activities were represented with both pictures and text, ensuring inclusivity for those with language barriers. This adaptable approach fostered a sense of ownership and agency within the group.
The exhibition itself was highly engaging, prompting intuitive responses from our participants. Complementing the sculptures were creative activities that further enhanced participation. Fernanda Muñoz-Newsome led a workshop beneath Studio Drift's mesmerizing kinetic installation, "SHYLIGHT." Her work, focused on collaborative performance and collective care, thoughtfully addressed the gallery's acoustics by providing headphones. This minimized echoing effects, which can be challenging for those with auditory sensitivities, and allowed participants to focus on movement prompts.
In the glass pavilion, artist Georgia Akbar, whose work was also featured in the Hiroshi Sugimoto exhibition, guided an activity that resonated with our work at the Kentish Health Centre. Participants constructed precarious, towering forms, prompting them to consider the interplay of shadow and light — a concept we had explored in our recent mobile-making workshops. It was rewarding to witness the group's confident engagement with these ideas outside their familiar workspace.
This project has been made possible by the National Lottery Community Fund.
