Design Activism Event, 3rd July 2009

Taking part in the design activism day at Leeds Metropolitan University.
Making dens or mini spaces with whatever we had in our bags, pockets or in the room.
We discussed the relevance of the innovative use of materials on the moon landings mission in 1969 as described by Sam Wollaston in the Guardian-
"best of all was the construction of an adapter to make the carbon-dioxide filters from the command module work in the lunar module. Basically, they'd arrived at their holiday destination, tried to plug something in, and found that the plug sockets were different. Except we're not talking about charging mobile phones - we're talking about getting rid of the the carbon dioxide, which they needed to do in order to stay alive. In the thickening fug in Houston, a team set about fabricating an adapter, using only what their brothers in space had to hand. The result was a clumsy box made from plastic, duct tape, the cover of a manual and an old sock. And, when they were finished, they had to then explain to the astronauts how to make their own adapter;" 2/7/09

The Ice Palace

Chronologically a while ago, when we had the snow , do we remember that now in our current heatwave?
Built in a hidden overgrown garden we were directed to the spot with kids and explored this fantastic construction.
You could get right in it and slide through to the centre, stick your head out of holes and turrets and slide down the roof.
Beautiful.

Memories recorded at The Old Rectory, Bempton, 8th May 2009

Jean remembered playing in an old grave, it was a table top grave in The Priory Churchyard in Bridlington. The underneath had all caved in and she used to get underneath and play. She also used to play in the caves at Robin Lythe Cave...apparently that was so named due to a baby washing up there in a basket.

Doreen remembered making mini houses for her dolls out of shoe boxes.She grew up in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Edith grew up in Sowerby Bridge, Halifax. When asked about memories of den making she said there was no den making unless there were little boys around.

Jean, Edith and Doreen