Review of Chinese beliefs in unseen/evil forces while still at the courtyard. Then I introduced fireworks as another way to protect against unseen forces.
Gunpowder as a source of beauty.
Identifying details of the Nagasaki painting.
I showed them videos of some of Cai’s firework installations (recorded with my iPad from the Sky Ladder documentary). I found that the kids were more engaged with them than with the videos displayed in the gallery. I connected the video of the Sky Ladder project with his dream of connecting with unseen forces or entities (i.e. extraterrestrials).
With the first group I asked them to draw how they would represent our world to extraterrestrial. There were no “buyers”. With the second group I just handed them the PAM booklet with instructions for them to do it at home if they wished. Maybe we could talk to their teacher and suggest that he/she give “extra credit” to those who complete it.
I found the Palmyra painting and it’s background too complicated to explain to this age group.
I wish the mandala video would be earlier in the tour as it helps to explain the process and we can see the outcome. I guess it’s a trial and error process.
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