Family Explorer Activities: Mirror Movements
Can you be the mirror image of somebody else? In this video, artist, Sian, and little artist, Aoife, demonstrate.
This activity is inspired by our Akimbo exhibition by Jimmy Robert - an artist who is interested in dance, movement, and exploring what is visible or invisible.
If you have a go at the activity, we'd love to see your creations on social media #NCmaking
Download all three activities here, or keep scrolling.
Mirror Movements
Jimmy Robert is interested in what you can see and what is hidden.
Who is the performer and who are the audience?
This activity is about MOVEMENT and STAYING CONNECTED to another person but without touching but by copying the actions that you can see.
Think about moving your whole body from a waggle of a foot to a wiggle of a finger or a twitch of your nose.
Choose someone to stand in front of and decide who is going to be the audience.
The performer slowly thinks about their movements and gently starts to move around the space, copy the performers movements, mirror their actions.
Think about big movements and little tiny changes that you might not see at first. As crunching of an eye and a lift of a finger to a long stretch or graceful bend.
Remember you are working TOGETHER and it is not about tricking your partner into missing a movement but connecting together so you start to MOVE AS ONE without touching.
Small & Large
Think about the activity Mirror Movements and the idea of Mirroring, what would happen if you concentrated on mirroring the smallest movements, rotating your big toe, flaring a nostril, twitching your calf muscle.
SMALL
Work with another to create the tinniest mirror movement.
Does anybody notice?
BIG
Now it’s about the LARGEST movements you can do.
A complicated dance move?
A roll or jump?
Make your movements powerful and large. Moving around indoor and outdoor spaces.
Opposites
Mirror and copy each others movements and gestures but in the opposite way.
Its not about tricking your partner but about moving together
Mirror movements rely on working together and copying what you see. This time think about the direction of each movement your partner does.
If your partner moves their head to the right, you move your head to the left. If they take a step forward, you take a step back.
Think about BIG movements turning into little movements.
Try opposites emotions, angry face mirrored into a happy face.
A scream into a whisper.
These activities were created by Associate Artist, Sian Watson-Taylor
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If you have enjoyed taking part in any of our digital family activities we would really appreciate you shouting about it! Nominations are open for ‘Kids in Museums:Family Friendly Museum Award 2021”. You can place your vote here. Thank you!
Share Your Feedback, complete our Family Survey
Working digitally, means we miss all those lovely conversations we would usually have with you, sharing ideas, listening, and seeing how you respond to our workshops. It is difficult to get feedback when we don't see you and this would really help.
The survey takes about 10 mins or less to complete and it will really help our team to understand more about what you thought ready for when we are back together at Nottingham Contemporary. You can fill out our survey by clicking here.
We'd love to hear what you think.