 | Something Quirkier |
A Conversation Between Birds
A gathering of 3D textile birds - to hold in the hand. Most people have a story about a bird or birdsong... a great conversation starter.
This work was inspired by Sonic Flock (Robertson, Lim & Moncur, 2019), an innovative arts and health research project exploring how interactive textile objects can "enhance wellbeing, social-connection and facilitate conversation within and between dementia-friendly communities". (You can read the full abstract and find the link to the paper at the end of this section).
At the beginning of the exhibition we had 4 birds in place (as pictured in one of our Instagram posts). By the closing day there were 31 birds scattered amongst the branches of the installation. Visitors to the exhibition were encouraged to hold and play with the birds. As visitors entered the gallery birdsong would begin to play. Listen to the recording (takes you to a separate site).
Textile artists were invited to make a bird. Some guidelines were given to help people complete a small project for this installation:
Some things to consider when you design and make your bird:
- Aim to communicate an idea or emotion in connection to ’Small Blessings' in your bird’s design and adornment. If you need inspiration, read some of the stories that have been shared.
- The bird needs to be able to sit on a table.
- Use any textiles and finishes of your choice.
- Encourage someone who is holding the bird to want to explore different textures and other tactile features. Experiment with use of different fabrics, zippers that work, pockets, ribbons to tie and untie....
- Will your bird engage the sense of smell? Lavender, rosemary, gum leaves.... stuffed inside?
- Caution: as these birds may be gifted to child care centres and/or aged care residences, please make sure that they are sturdy and do not contain any choking hazards. If they do - ensure that we note this on the tag when we gift away the birds.
- If you are posting your bird to us, leave the stuffing out and we will fill it for you.
- I have a collection of mechanical (no batteries) sound devices that make bird noises. These can be inserted into the birds. Let me know if you are interested in using one in your bird.
- Here is the pattern that I am using for the birds for this project:
The Spool Bird, designed in Philadelphia by Michael Fulkerson in 2008. You can find the pattern in this article "What happens when your pattern goes viral?” It is an interesting read on ethical use of patterns from the web. https://whileshenaps.com/2014/05/what-happens-when-your-pattern-goes-viral-the-spool-bird.html
However - you are not restricted to this pattern. Choose one that you like - just be aware of the parameters listed above.
- Pinterest page full of bird patterns. https://www.pinterest.com.au/kimmydoll123/fabric-bird-pattern/
- Scrappy Vintage bird. Free pattern. http://blondedesign.blogspot.com/2010/09/make-scrappy-bird-tutorial.html
Below are photographs of some of the birds made and gifted to the project:
We also added felted flowers to this installation so that it was ‘ever changing and growing’. As people made flowers during the drop in sessions they would add them to the art work. By the end of the project we had 34 flowers attached to the twiggy ends of the branches.
The inspiration:
Robertson, L., Lim, C. & Moncur, W. (2019). Sonic flock: Crowdsourcing, exhibiting and gifting interactive textile birds for wellbeing. Loughborough University. https://doi.org/10.17028/rd.lboro.9741272.v1
Abstract:
"This paper outlines the crowdsourcing, display and gifting of a “Sonic Flock” of interactive textile birds in the Outer Hebrides. The research explores how the Sonic Flock can enhance wellbeing, social connection and facilitate conversation within and between dementia-friendly communities (DFC). A range of themes - including bringing the outside in, birds and textile making were identified through conversations with care home residents, staff and families of those living in care homes in the Outer Hebrides. These themes were fed into the Sonic Flock project. Knitted and sewn birds were crowdsourced from makers throughout the UK. The resulting Sonic Flock; over 80 birds, were displayed in An Lanntair as part of Cuimhne (‘memory’ in Gaelic) exhibition. Some of the textile birds were designed and developed to play bird songs when touched. After the exhibition, the birds were gifted to island residents living in care homes throughout Lewis, Harris and Uist. They acted as social objects and conversation starters, building relationships between the researcher, staff, residents and wider DFC."
Research related to the impact of birdsong: