In this session we really explored different ways of thinking about the site, whether it be creating text fragmentations inspired by the area, creating our own unconventional map or making up a misguided tour. Fleur and I spent our time around the site looking at it from different perspectives, particularly in terms of the idea of “play”. As Peter Brook infamously said, “I can take any empty space and call it a bare stage” (Brook, 1972, 11), and this is an idea that a lot of our “creations” from the session our rooted in. When making our new map of the site, we thought about the different senses of the place, such as its sounds and visual shapes, not just what was physically there in front of us when we wandered around. We noted down interesting moments on our walk, creating something that was very personal to that moment. Similarly, on our misguided tour, we looked at the area from a child’s perspective, transforming what was there into our own playground in which we moved, gestured and acted younger than normal. This allowed us a freedom in “performing” in an open space in front of the public, using the mask of acting as children. This session was a really great way into thinking about how we can view the site and the different possibilities available to us.

My session notes, including my map.

Brook, P. (1972) The Empty Space. London: Penguin Books.