Rehearsing for the future: Play, place and art

Abstract

This paper explores the confluence of art, play and place and presents three case studies enacted via public and participatory art projects which aimed to ask: How can artistic play change our relationship to place? The research was practice-based via participatory art and presents new, ludic cultural practices in regards to art, play and place.

The case studies discuss how participants became liberated from normal adult behaviour in public spaces because of the alibi of art and play, as well as enjoying and interacting with the place differently. The artworks were contextually responsive to the specificities of each place, allowing players an opportunity to develop new and positive place relationships. It also includes a reflection on the political imperatives of play in assisting adults imagining new futures for themselves. The findings of this paper would be useful to those involved in heritage or cultural projects seeking to develop new audience relationships with their specific places.