ANTHOTYPES
This workshop was part of a larger programme of public engagement projects and exhibition, BY LEAVES WE LIVE, devised and facilitated for pupils from Perth Primary Schools.
completed a series of public engagement projects and exhibition, celebrating the River Tay in Perth. These workshops were commissioned in response to a public art installation, MEANDER, by Elizabeth Ogilvie & Rob Page in Perth’s city centre. We embarked upon a week of projects inspired by nature in an ‘open-air studio’ with children from various primary schools.
Located on the banks of the River Tay, pupils created personal and collaborative works of art in a wide variety of media in an ‘open-air studio’, in response to the public art installation, MEANDER, by Elizabeth Ogilvie and Rob Page sited in Perth’s City Centre.
Approximately 100 participants drew inspiration from the River Tay, the surrounding natural environment and also Perth’s famous son, Sir Patrick Geddes. Following the Project, the pupils’ work was exhibited at Perth’s Civic Hall.
~
Pupils created their very own anthotypes (a process originally invented by Sir John Herschel in 1842) whereby photosensitive material derived from plants is used to create images.
Anthotypes are a lovely, simple introduction to photography, without the need for chemicals, equipment or a darkroom… All you require is some paper, plants, sunlight and patience.
Two types of light sensitive emulsion were created from leaves and fruit, chosen specifically for their relatively short exposure times.
The pupils were asked to explore the surrounding area and collect small leaves, weeds and fallen petals of interest to compose their images. After exposing the foraged material to sunlight, a direct copy was left of those areas covered by shadow.
As these anthotypes remain sensitive to natural light, these delicate images will eventually fade over time, highlighting the impermanence and fragility of nature.
