How do our kids see their future?
We spoke to Bren Brophy, curator of the fantastic exhibition currently on at the KZNSA Gallery in Glenwood. Bren and his team worked with a group of students from a range of peri-urban and rural schools. Their project was #happyatschool. Find out what our kids think about their future.
“#HappyInSchool” is a project and exhibition that works with grade eight learners in seven secondary schools in Umlazi, KwaMashu, Verulam and Tongaat, Durban. The project engages with these learners by partnering with educational NGO OneVoiceSA. (OVSA). Central to the exhibition is the question “What will make me happy in the future?” Through a series of participatory workshops the learners and OVSA facilitators explore visualisations of a ‘happy’ future through the technique of image theatre. Groups of learners create dramatized images using improvised props and costumes to depict their dreams and aspirations. Captured by photographer Harry Lock these ‘dioramas’ provide an uplifting series of group portraits.
The exhibition opened last night, the 9th of June. Many of the school children who participated were at the opening.
Happy in School was inspired by the worldwide phenomenon of Pharrell Williams’ smash hit music video ‘Happy’. The song and www.wearehappyfrom.com has become a cultural trend synonymous with changing an emotion into an action. Learners from Zwelibanzi High School in Umlazi choreographed their own version of the Happy song and the video forms part of the exhibition.
Check out more images and details about the exhibition here