Activity: Paper Moves

This activity is inspired by how our exhibiting artist, Jimmy Robert, uses paper and his body to explore shape and movement. We'll be looking at the way we move our bodies, by using collected paper to attach to the body as a costume or prop.

Collect any pieces of paper you can find - you could use old envelopes, junk mail, newspapers, or scrap pieces of paper.

Explore different ways you can join the smaller pieces of paper together. This could be taping, stapling, folding, twisting, or pegging together. Create large sheets of paper from different sizes and surfaces to explore on your body. Once you’ve started big, you can always cut it up and make it smaller!

Try draping a big sheet over your back or wrapping it around your body.

What about joining a strip of paper from your toe to your finger?

Try attaching jagged smaller pieces underneath your arms.

Why not try some of the poses that Jimmy Robert has made?

Jimmy Robert stretching out an arm and the opposite leg whilst sat down.
Jimmy Robert on his tiptoes with his head leant against his knees and an arm outstretched with the other hand supporting from the floor.
Jimmy Robert keeping himself upright with his hands and feet on the floor with one foot raised to the opposite knee.
Jimmy Robert with his head towards the floor, one arm lying down and the other holding him up. One leg is laid down and the other is pointed in the air.

How does the paper control your movements? Or turn your body into a different shape?

If you have a go at the activity, we'd love to see your creations on social media #NCmaking

Ursula holding the paper sheet so that it covers her body.
Ursula bent down. The paper covers her back and over her head.
Ursula wraps herself in the paper.
Ursula holding her arms out whilst holding paper out behind her
Ursula bends slightly with one leg outstretched. The paper covers her front leg up to her shoulders.
Ursula lies with on leg slightly bent and the other towards the air. The paper hangs from the foot that is raised to the top of her head.

This activity was created by Play and Learn Facilitator, Ursula Rae

A picture of Ursula with sunglasses on her head looking towards the camera in front of a green, leafy background.

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