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During
the
Carnival of 2003, we noticed the mas band South Connections (CLICK
HERE to learn about them) carrying a giant windsock
on the road.
It made us think about a theme that could be built around
windsocks and fish soon seemed like the perfect idea. We were
also inspired since, with fish as a subject, we had won an Artworks
Award Prize in 2002. CLICK
HERE and ALSO
HERE to learn about our Artworks
Awards.
So, first the children researched fish, creating
a digital aquarium to be used on banners (CLICK
HERE for a sample). Then, we created templates for windsock prototypes
that we made out of plastic bags. We found these had to be large
enough
to fill
with air, but small enough to wave
on
the end
of
a pole.
We learned the windsocks in kite shops are made out of "ripstop"
polyester or nylon. We got to work right away and hunted down some
ripstop fabric on
E-Bay. We found seventy metres of white - the leftovers from a hot-air
balloon. Then we got another sixty metres
of
green and purple, from a maker of cycling-wear who was moving his
business to China!
Now we knew our colours: white, purple and brilliant
green. We cut out our fish "skins", drew on them with paint
and waterproof markers, then sewed the sides together. The sewing machines
we used, by Joy, have been designed especially
for schools.
To catch
the air, we knew our fish needed very rigid mouths. So we made
a hem on each and slide a ring of plastic tubing inside
- joining up both ends by inserting a bit of wooden dowel.
Using nylon cord and a
fishing swivel, we attached our fish to the flagpoles.
Now, with both
digital and physical fish, our shoal of fancy fins was ready
for the road!
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