Artivism at Armley Mills

This morning I went along with Chris to the Armley Mills to help out on the 'Artivism' community project that she's been going along to the past few weeks. All I'd gathered was that everyone was making papier-mâché heads and it was for some project ...
On arrival I was introduced to Kevin and Shari who are running the project and supporting the workshops, Shari explained to me that the project has running underlying themes of recycling and being green. With this in mind, they have taken the idea of recycling memories and what we remember, and how this then influences our creative decisions in life; as a result of this, Shari and Kevin require a series of pieces to be shown in a final exhibition. These final pieces are to be in the form of a series of papier-mâché heads, influenced by anything from our past. Each head is going to be displayed in their own little 'head cases' and decorated with further memorabilia and ideas coming from our 'recycled' memories.
At first when Shari was explaining all of this to me I though ok, right, yep, this is crazy! Wonderful, but crazy! And as I started making my little puppet head, I just became so involved with it all, I started to love it more and more, and could really see how this would definitely work. 
Here's a few shots of my still mushy head... only just starting to take shape really... (Think I slipped a bit on the old PVA)

And here's the start of my 'head case', once the frame is completed, we're going to be using this special tracing paper, (can't remember the name of it?!), which once you have put a thin film of PVA on either side and then place over the frame, the paper contracts and tightens around the frame, forming a kind of drumskin layer.

Also whilst I was talking to Shari, she mentioned a lot of her work revolves around video and she hoped people could also become involved in helping her produce the documentary video she is producing for the project as well. Of course I got a little bit excited here and mentioned my interest in animation and she said she would also be interested in some visuals for the exhibition, and I could definitely help out with her.
So a worthwhile visit to spend my monday afternoon, I had a really great time and I'm looking forward to going back after Easter!