Wednesday 20 September 2017

The rhythm of stroking movements: embodied emotion

My etudes today reveal the rhythm of stroking observed when children touch their classroom dog 'Dave' during carpet time. These moments appear to afford the children a space to feel calm, relaxed and perhaps de-territorialised within the structures of the environment.
During a lesson Dave joins the children and sits alongside them. His close proximity on the carpet once again seems to afford the children a space to connect,  transforming their sense of place to feel "like home".
Poppy tells her classmate Dave is "like her brother". Dave is invited to share her space and sit in her chair. Dave's non-human charisma means he is getting to know his new classmates very well, very quickly.