In 2023, CAST’s learning specialist Lucy Grant led a series of curriculum-related workshops for Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils combining art and science, creative making and learning. They took advantage of the complete darkness in the ‘black box’ screening space at CAST to investigate light and shadow in relation to both astronomy and storytelling.
An orrery was constructed to show the rotations of the earth and moon, and of the earth in relation to the sun – and the influence of these daily, monthly and annual rotations on the diurnal rhythm of night and day, the monthly cycle of the moon, and the annual pattern of the changing seasons. Each workshop also included the screening of a folk shadow play, commissioned from Cornwall-based artist Mae Voogd, that linked myth and legend to the eternal exchange of light and dark. This story was enacted as a duel between winter, characterised as the shadowy Gaelic goddess of winter, Cailleach, and summer, characterised as Brid, a young girl with golden curls.
Children were shown how to make and animate their own puppets and given the chance to dress up to make silhouettes and perform to members of the class behind a simple sheet screen hung in the black box space.
Children were fascinated by the orrery made by our learning lead Lucy Grant, with its simple moving parts (an illuminated display case included reference to the famous Wright of Derby painting A Philosopher Giving a Lecture at the Orrery, in which a lamp is put in place of the sun) and were entranced by the shadow puppet show, which created a magical world with the simplest of means. The opportunity to make their own puppets in our learning studio, or to dress up and make silhouettes, provided a playful means of reinforcing the knowledge gained.
Teachers made the following comments about the sessions:
“Our class had a wonderful learning experience at CAST at the Light and Shadows workshop. This was really well adapted to allow a class of very young learners (nursery – Y1) to engage in creative and stimulating adult led activities, as well as learning through exploring a carefully curated space.”
“During the art room session, the children had access to fantastic resources and were able to create some fabulous themed shadow puppet hats. They were eager to head back to the black box to try them out.The results were wonderful and prompted some excellent observations and questions.”
“CAST is such a wonderful facility to have on our doorstep. This unique learning experience really could not have been replicated in school. The children have asked if we can go back soon – I really hope that we can.”
“The session was a wonderful introduction to light and shadows for my class, with a mix of science, customs and traditions and then the opportunity to explore how shadows can be used in art – using both themselves as the puppets and then creating their own puppets out of card. The workshop was a delight to come to, with a friendly and inclusive atmosphere.”
“Our morning at CAST was the perfect mix of active and collaborative learning, professionally and sensitively supported by Lucy and Steph. The visuals such as the orrery, puppets and roleplay props, along with the various elements, like the fact based learning, folk shadow play and the acting were beautiful and well timed ensuring the children’s full attention and engagement. Our class were in awe of the shadow play and they even asked to watch it again! The black box space and projector was a unique experience. It was fun, creative, and informative and I heard some children say that it was their best day ever!”
And pupils said the following:
“It was a really fun experience, because of the black room and learning about light and dark. I enjoyed making the shadow puppets, because they were really colourful and we could see them through the projector.”
“I liked watching the show the artist made especially for school visitors like us.”
“I loved the opportunity to dress up for people on the other side of the curtain to have a little giggle or laugh. It was really fun! Thank you.”
We are deeply grateful to the Behrens Foundation for supporting this series of workshops. The programme was also part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.