Since the previous blog entry, I decided that I would be very proactive about my primary research as delve straight in. Consequently I booked a train to London tomorrow to visit the V&A Museum of Childhood.
I believe that this is an excellent place to start my research; it will really get me into the vibe of childhood any make me consider what appeals to children – all of which will be useful when marketing my service.
I took a virtual tour of the exhibition online and consequently decided it would be worth the time and money to visit. Train is booked for 3am tomorrow morning, and I have a seven hour journey ahead of me.
From the website I shall expect to see the UK’s national collection of childhood-related objects. This spans from the 1600s to the present day, featuring toys, dolls, dolls’ houses, games, puppets, nursery, children’s clothing and furniture. This should give me inspiration regarding what qualities a child will look for in a toy, and the different methods of manufacturing, so I know how to promote the toy online.
I will look at the Institute of Play exhibition by Colin Booth. The building block installation may inspire me with regards to an online game, for example. Institute of Play shows how children, artists and architects can share a common interest in materials, alongside a sense of play.
I am also looking forward to seeing the Doll Face exhibition, this features a set of 12 photographic portraits, by Craig Deane, of dolls from the Museum of Childhood’s collection. It explores the changing representations we as people make of ourselves. These images will be useful for me when considering different graphic elements and ways in which I can communicate the idea of an imaginary friend, which may or may not be human form – it may indeed by anthropomorphic.
Within my original campaign proposal for Sole Mates, I discussed how the service would benefit those with special needs, in particular Autism. Therefore I am very excited about the opportunity to visit the exhibition ‘Welcome to Our World...Living with Autism. The hosts a series of miniature displays which explore some of the more challenging factors of contemporary childhood. This display takes a look at life through the eyes of children with autism, in collaboration with The National Autistic Society, and therefore it is a reputable source of primary research.
Through research conducted thus far, I have learnt that food, and indeed the whole ‘eating’ experience, is one which the child often bring the imaginary companion into. Therefore I will visit the Food Glorious Food exhibition to see if this is another aspect I can explore within the online service.
The Absurd Impositions exhibition features a selection of drawings from Rebecca Fortnum, who looks at the ways in which portraits evoke the imaginative life of children.
‘Dream’ is one display I will really explore; this is a series of small pencil drawings of children with their eyes closed. It introduces the idea that a child’s imaginings are inaccessible to the viewer. It questions whether/not the child has deliberatively blocked out the viewer’s gaze.
‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’ is a further exhibition of interest to me. It centres on the book of this title by Judith Kerr, which was written as a bedtime story for her own children, published in 1968. This is interesting for me, because it is likely that I will be creating a book to accompany my online offering. This is an example of a successful because of work, as demonstrated by the fact that it has been translated into 11 different languages and sold over five million copies. The exhibition has further relevance to my work, as it brings the story to life with a life-size tiger.
The exhibition explores Judith’s childhood and her experiences of having to escape Germany; it is relevant to my research as the story is told through her ‘alter ego’ Anna. The Magic Worlds – this is a major exhibition within the Museum. It delves into the realms of fantasy and enchantment.
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