To fit in with the pupils timetable the introduction day was split into two sessions. After explaining the project, the first session started with the rhythmic name game. The 29 pupils formed a large circle and inbetween rhythmic clapping, took it in turns to introduce themselves using an individual movement which was then copied by the entire group.

This was followed by Viv introducing the handling collection from the Horniman Museum. Roll your mouse over the images below to see more pictures. Pupils tried on masks and clothes and played the percussive instruments.

After lunch they watched some carnival footage on video and then heard an excerpt from the 'Midnight Robber, Master of Metaphor, Baron of Bombast' by Brian Honore before writing their own bravado metaphors and taking it in turns to read them to the class. Here are some examples - these pages are designed as pop-up windows and so please do not use the CLOSE WINDOW box that appears at the foot of these pages as this will close down your current window - please use the browser back button.

Bravado 1
Bravado 2
Bravado 3
Bravado 4

The first session ended with a look at the Inspiration Africa! website which was projected from a pc onto the white board. Pupils found out about the project, looked at some of the artwork pages as a preparation for their next session - an introduction to the screen printing process - and saw the Midnight Robber in the Virtual Resource Library.

The printing session started with Tony showing the screen printing tools and giving an example of the printing process. Pupils were then asked to refer back to their bravado metaphors and draw their bravado faces (see details below). These were then cut out and printed onto their bravado banner.

When they had finished printing some of the pupils went on-line and completed a worksheet about their session - here are a few of the replies:

What shape did you decide to print?
My exaggerated face
Face and tortoise
Fish Head and Book
A super-computer

What did it represent?
Me being as hard as nails
Wisdom
African nation
My genius

Did you enjoy printing? Can you write a couple of lines explaining what you did in your own words?
I did enjoy printing. First we drew a face onto a peice of paper and then we cut it out by folding it and cutting it out. Then we put it on the cloth and took the polyester filming with tiny holes in it (screen) and we placed it on the face cut-outs and put the ink on it, then spread it around the filming and it was forced through the holes but under the paper faces there was no paint so the faces were imprinted on the cloth and then we were finished.

Please write a couple of bravado lines about your screen printing experience.
When I was printing I was as nervous as a fox in the middle of speeding traffic - my print came out brilliant, I was very relieved
When I print I am as wise as a tortoise and as big as a mountain
When I print I am as powerful as a lion and as talented as Michael Jackson
When I print I am as proud as punch and I thought it was the best

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