03 April 2011

Altered Perspectives



In the afternoon of the second session, Quest 2, four lads come together and we enter an amazing mind altering brain storming session, with discussions around clowning around, talks of archetypal characters, mythical creatures, wizardry and alchemy, dreams of what we could become, books read and board games played. "Look into my eyes, look into my eyes" I said, as we entered the landscape of our minds to see what potential could be revealed and mapped. It was agreed that six totemic would be taken on a performative journey, THE JOURNEY, followed by a time out in nature to explore altered perspectives. No more can be written about a mystery, just to say it is about to unfold. Watch this space.

Didn't see it coming

Interesting morning, nine lads, Quest 1, an artist and a teacher's assistant with a giant rabbit and a clown set off round Westbury town centre to meet some more interesting characters at work along the way. A vegetable seller, optician, estate agent, a dry cleaner, hairdresser, pet shop owner, and a biker gentleman at leisure with friends having a morning coffee with a huge mastiff dog. Our merry group was introduced and entry to the different work environs introduced and negotiated bravely by a Terence and then the rest of the group would enter. The lady waiting in the opticians looked as though she couldnt believe her eyes when the Opthalmamist checked the carrot coloured poorly sighted creature, whilst nine bespectacled Terence's looked on. It was getting late and there was an urgent cry to get back to the carpark and creatively parked mini bus. Oh no, we cry, as a rather stern looking gent in glowing yellow jacket and a peaked cap slapped a parking ticket on the waiting white bus. "We've broken the law" I cried. "No, said yellow jacketed man, "not technically, its a civil matter". Well, it wasn't very civil when suddenly a smart looking English lady on holiday from Australia burst out and aired abuse at the yellow jacket officer for getting a parking ticket for being 3 mins over time. Phew, we jumped in the bus and did the math. "Well, that's money out of the project fund" I said. Phew, I had been worrying about what people would think about public money being spent on a giant toy and a bunch of lads going on a journey here and there around the community and missing science and maths. Well, as the lady in the cleaners said (when offering sound advice on how the rabbit could be cleaned), "Its a bit of a skive, isn't it"... Off we went and the Terence's requested to take the creature to the vets. Here we met a very efficient receptionist, and a kind veterinary called Simon. Rabbit was duly taken into the treatment room and diagnosis discussed, heart, teeth and anus checked (for worms). We photographed, filmed and interviewed the vet and asked how many years it takes to become one, and what attributes do you need, "to like people" he said. "what is the trickiest customer (animal type) he said, a large dog which got his head in his jaws and scarred him "I was a bit naive" he said..."didn't see it coming". Then Simon suggested an operation was required and told the group that not everyone could come into the operating theatre, but those of us who nervously went through, saw the nurse gown up the reclining Rabbit, and the scalpel go in....Gulp. Afterwards, I said the operating theatre might need a clean down and the nurse kindly advised Daz and Fabreeze. Well, we learnt so much from the visit and more maths, by finding out it would cost £100 for a rabbit castration, £150 for a teeth job and £1,000 for limbs. The Terences swiftly discussed matters and decided to take a Careplan to avoid such concerns in the future.