This workshop series invited children to slow down and truly notice the world around them during the Borås Art Biennale. Inspired by the Biennale’s theme Layers, Loops, Lines, we explored time, space, and place not as abstract ideas, but as things we can feel, touch, and experience when we pause long enough to pay attention.
Together, we took walks through familiar neighbourhoods in Borås, looking closely at public art. The group was encouraged to follow their curiosity—examining textures on a wall, imagining the stories behind a sculpture, or noticing how light changes the shape of a place using their ‘toolkit’. At the heart of the workshop was the belief that children already carry rich ways of seeing the world. By giving them time, space, tools, and gentle guidance, their observations grew into personal interpretations of the artefacts and spaces around them.
Toolkit for playful participation
The group documented everything that captivated their senses, from collecting sounds to capturing shapes in Elin Stampe’s silvery installation, Disrupting Ebb and Flow. The piece creates optical illusions on the water, including a flickering archway that shifts with the wind and movement, offering opportunities to capture dynamic shapes, patterns, and textures.
We explored Christian Andersen’s whimsical sculpture, Beta. This quirky little crab, crafted from painted bronze, scuttles around without a grand pedestal. Unlike the typical heroic statues found in city centers, Beta feels more like a time-traveling creature, leaving playful traces on the ground that transport you between the future and the age of dinosaurs.
Chanel (seven years old) made a surprising discovery—a snake sleeping inside the sculpture!
The children eagerly followed Beta’s trail, marking their journey with water stains on the ground. They imagined the crab’s adventures, capturing every tiny detail, and even created their own interpretation of the sculpture.
We used our tools to experience Alicja Kwade’s The Heavy Light (2021), featuring a spinning light bulb and a heavy stone suspended above. The group also mapped the shifting shadows, reflecting quietly on movement and time.
Alva and Venla created a hat inspired by Alicja Kwade’s artwork.
The series ended with a warm, informal vernissage on the final day of Konstkollo, where the children proudly shared their discoveries and reflections—small but meaningful insights found by simply slowing down and looking closely.
This project was created with the support of Borås Art Biennale.
Photo Credits: Sumedh Vartak