{"id":134,"date":"2014-11-23T18:17:07","date_gmt":"2014-11-23T18:17:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.wordpress.com\/?p=134"},"modified":"2015-05-07T10:11:14","modified_gmt":"2015-05-07T10:11:14","slug":"on-pigs-ears-mound-envy-and-walking-backwards-or-refections-on-play-cambridge-now-or-never","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/?p=134","title":{"rendered":"On pigs Ears, Mound Envy and Walking Backwards or refections on Play Cambridge Now or Never!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>We are finally getting round to reviewing some of the photos and the comments participants generously shared with us during Play Cambridge Now or Never! event last week.<\/p>\n<p>The walk was structured around a series of prompts &#8211; to play- to think or imagine possibilities or playscapes out of reach&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>We started the walk at the station, which was busy on a Saturday afternoon. After playing &#8216;Cambridge Chopsticks&#8217; on the shutters, we slipped through a tiny alleyway to the much quieter new development. The paths were lined with &#8216;pig ears&#8217; &#8211; they really are called that and tea metal shapes embedded in the raised surfaces- there to prevent skateboarders from using them. We asked for alternative uses for the pigs ears.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0098.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-147\" src=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0098-1024x685.jpg\" alt=\"DSC_0098\" width=\"660\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0098-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0098-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0095.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-135\" src=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0095-1024x685.jpg\" alt=\"DSC_0095\" width=\"660\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0095-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0095-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here are some of the ideas offered:\u00a0&#8216;\u2026.can polish shoes on them\u2026use as lemon squeezers\u2026shape leaves with them\u2026use\u00a0to cool down your hands\u2026make a musical instrument\u00a0out of them\u2026use as massage tool\u2026.make into a decorative construction for putting knitted flowers around\u2026re-purposed ex-military metal ware and finally\u2026.make music out of them (with chopsticks!)&#8217; so we hope architects who incorporate these into their designs in future will take note!<\/p>\n<p>Before \u00a0leaving the new development we also asked participants to line up around the light fittings and play &#8216;Light Whispers&#8217; &#8211; which \u00a0is an adaptation of chinese whispers played publicly and reflecting on play itself&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0106.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-152\" src=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0106-1024x685.jpg\" alt=\"DSC_0106\" width=\"660\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0106-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0106-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0105.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-153\" src=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0105-1024x685.jpg\" alt=\"DSC_0105\" width=\"660\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0105-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0105-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We head across the road via a tree lined avenue to another new development where we\u00a0tell people about the &#8216;Feral Play&#8217; area we cannot reach today and stop at the highly designed play area for some &#8216;Free Play&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/img_4852.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-136\" src=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/img_4852-765x1024.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_4852\" width=\"660\" height=\"883\" srcset=\"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/img_4852-765x1024.jpg 765w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/img_4852-224x300.jpg 224w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/img_4852.jpg 1936w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0110.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-145\" src=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0110-1024x685.jpg\" alt=\"DSC_0110\" width=\"660\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0110-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0110-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The Bowling Green across the road sparkles after the recent rains and participants line up to share thoughts on &#8216;Bowling for All Play&#8217; before\u00a0we head on towards\u00a0Hobson&#8217;s Brook.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0118.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-144\" src=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0118-1024x685.jpg\" alt=\"DSC_0118\" width=\"660\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0118-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0118-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">\u00a0When we reach the water we tell participants about an invitation we&#8217;ve received by mail to anyone walking that day while the G20 meetings in Brisbane are held. to create boats in memory of\u00a0the asylum seekers.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image-10.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-148\" src=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image-10-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Image 10\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image-10-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image-10-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">The next prompt we offer is called &#8216;Walk Backwards to Move Forward&#8217; and we ask that it be done in silence\u2026the group attracts attention from passers by many seem very taken with the experience as one participant writes in her booklet; &#8216;I will remember the view receding instead of coming towards me&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Our nearly final stop is by a &#8216;Mound and Tree Trunk&#8217; where participants are invited to form two circles, one around the mound to shout out sounds thy hear and the other around the trunk to shout out things they see. Here are some of the drawings we found in the booklets;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-140\" src=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image-1-763x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Image 1\" width=\"660\" height=\"886\" srcset=\"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image-1-763x1024.jpg 763w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image-1-224x300.jpg 224w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image-1.jpg 1824w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">We proceed to our near final and final stop- both in two different older housing estates, where a circle, grassy areas, a tree and a swing still provide spaces for play. Here we have tea\u00a0and\u00a0exchange thoughts before the afternoon draws to a close&#8230;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image-7.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-138\" src=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image-7-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Image 7\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image-7-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image-7-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-151\" src=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Image\" width=\"660\" height=\"880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/image1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0137.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-142\" src=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0137-1024x685.jpg\" alt=\"DSC_0137\" width=\"660\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0137-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/dsc_0137-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Participants reflect on their experiences in the booklets. Their observations often echo\u00a0ours- here are some of them; &#8216;Have been surprised at how compliant and willing to take part I and everyone else has been \u2013 surprisingly unquestioning.&#8217; which is lucky really\u2026or [its] a chance to see bits of Cambridge I\u2019ve skirted around before.&#8217; or &#8216;a\u00a0lovely way to discover the city a new in a playful way. Rethinking the use of objects we take for granted.&#8217; and \u00a0an &#8216;Opportunity <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">not<\/span> to race about during the day to day.&#8217;\u00a0as well as &#8216;Chance to chat with strangers&#8217;&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>We are grateful to everyone who took part and to Ivy and Chan who took the wonderful pictures. Its been an amazing afternoon\u00a0of\u00a0play and imagining&#8230;As one participant said:<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;Imagine if\u2026We had lots of social spaces. Maybe [there would be] less loneliness\u2026&#8217; and we are reminded of the billboard at the start of our walk which promises a sociable space&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/img_4851.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-154\" src=\"http:\/\/playthecitynowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/img_4851-1024x696.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_4851\" width=\"660\" height=\"449\" srcset=\"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/img_4851-1024x696.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/img_4851-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/img_4851.jpg 1578w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We are finally getting round to reviewing some of the photos and the comments participants generously shared with us during Play Cambridge Now or Never! event last week. The walk was structured around a series of prompts &#8211; to play- to think or imagine possibilities or playscapes out of reach&#8230; We started the walk at &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/?p=134\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">On pigs Ears, Mound Envy and Walking Backwards or refections on Play Cambridge Now or Never!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=134"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":299,"href":"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/134\/revisions\/299"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=134"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=134"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playanywherenowornever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}