Helium, in partnership with Tallaght Community Arts (TCA) presents an INFANT IMAGININGS forum at 12.30pm on October 29, 2008 to discuss the value of arts activity with and for very young children (2 years and under).
Infant Imaginings is a research project exploring the use of puppetry, play, music, movement and sensory environments with babies and parents in healthcare settings, including the Physiotherapy Department of the Adelaide & Meath Hospital, Community Mothers Programme and the Millbrook Lawns Health Centre. Speakers at Wednesday’s forum include Tim Webb, Oily Cart Theatre Company (UK) and Dr M. Suzanne Zeedyk, Dept of Psychology, University of Dundee.
Oily Cart is a theatre company specialising in work for two specific groups of young people: the early years, including babies and toddlers, and young people with complex disabilities or an autistic spectrum disorder. Tim is the writer and director for much of the Oily Cart’s work, and is acting as mentor on Infant Imaginings. Dr M. Suzanne Zeedyk is a Senior Lecturer in Dept of Psychology, University of Dundee. She carries out empirical work on infant development and parent-infant interaction and is regularly asked to deliver keynote addresses on topics relating to the long-lasting consequences of early social interactions and relationships.
Lead artist on Infant Imaginings is Helene Hugel, a Puppeteer, Clown Doctor, and Arts & Health Practitioner with a specialist qualification in Hospital Play. She is winner of the Even Latimer Award (UK) and a Level 1 Social Entrepreneur Ireland Award 2007.
Tallaght Community Arts is delighted to be involved with and facilitating Infant Imaginings, particularly following the success of The Bedmaker in April 2008, a showcase performance for very young children, devised by Helene Hugel. The Bedmaker transformed paediatric patients’ beds into imaginative, performing landscapes using puppetry, interactive storytelling, tactile set, and sound and toured hospitals and arts centres earlier this year.
Infant Imaginings is funded by a bursary grant from the Arts Council. It is supported by Tallaght Community Arts, IPPA (the Early Childhood Organisation), Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, The Adelaide & Meath Hospital incorporating the National Children’s Hospital and the Glashaus Hotel.
Attendance at this event is by invitation.
There will be an Infant Imaginings Showcase on 17 November, 2008 at Tallaght Community Arts: see www.tallaght-arts.ie for more information.