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Minecraft inspired exhibition comes to Rheged this Summer
Minecraft is the best-selling independent computer game of all time, with over 60 million copies sold worldwide. Its application in the real world is unique, with history teachers using it to recreate ancient worlds, therapists harnessing it to improve literacy and numeracy skills in autistic children, and artists recreating famous artworks to explore in 3D. This Summer, Rheged just off the M6 (J40) near Penrith, at the gateway to the Northern Lake District, will host a fascinating family exhibition ‘Make it! A Minecraft inspired exhibition’, featuring artworks and activities inspired by the game, with huge paper sculptures, 3D printing, hands on activities and a chance to learn basic programming. To compliment this Exhibition, elsewhere in the centre there will be over 70 different workshops throughout the school holidays and a programme of films on the Imax style cinema, all in a grass covered building, which itself could have been designed in Minecraft.
“Make it! A Minecraft inspired exhibition” is being curated by Eden Valley based artist Adam Clarke, the U.K’s leading Minecraft educator, who is currently working with Disney and Tate Britain. Adam’s focus has been to explore how there is no limit to the virtual creativity and adventures in Minecraft and how this can influence thinking in the real world. Visitors will discover huge paper craft sculptures, textiles, giant model making, a 3D printer making Minecraft creations, ‘Raspberry Pi’ mini computers where children can learn basic computer programming, alongside hands on craft activities, graffiti walls and building areas all in the spirit of game.
Rheged Arts Manager John Stokes, who has worked closely with Adam Clarke in developing the exhibition explains “Following on from the success of our Brick City Lego Exhibition last year, we chose the inspiration of Minecraft for this summer’s family exhibition. Minecraft is hugely creative, but when all the action stays on the screen, parents can be left wondering what can actually come from it all. Our exhibition gives young Minecraft fans the inspiration to take the creativity they find in the game and bring it into the real world. Teaching children about how things are made, just like in Minecraft, we aim to ensure our younger visitors will have so much fun, they won’t even realise they’re learning! We have kept the admission fee to a minimum at just £1.50 per person”
The exhibition has been developed in collaboration with a number of local and regional artist. Bunty May Marshall, from Leeds has produced a large model of the Ender Dragon, a character from the game, hand crafted from paper almost 2m in length. Steve Gregson is an illustrator from Lancaster who has created a richly detailed cut-away drawing of a Minecraft world. The exhibition also includes exhibits made using new technologies such as 3D printing and laser cutting, produced with the help of Cockermouth based BEC Fab Lab, a digital fabrication workshop that gives the community access to a range of specialist equipment to stimulate creativity and imagination. By contrast Eden based artist Alex Jakob Whitworth has been working with Hunter Hall school using traditional skills to develop Minecraft-inspired cross-stitch artworks.
Alongside the exhibition, there is a programme of related workshops, where you learn how to use a 3D printer or make your own You Tube Video with artist Adam Clarke, or create your own digital map to upload to the Minecraft game and explore at home. There will also be pixel art and cross stitch workshops with local artist Gemma Latham, Minecraft inspired cookery classes with the Peter Sidwell Simply Good Cookery School, and cardboard crafting workshops with the Creation Station. Eden Community Outdoors will return with their popular woodworking classes too, where children can learn to make wooden swords and arrows, clay pinch pots and wind chimes and there is a chance for children to learn survival skill with local Bushcraft experts, Reach beyond Adventure
Wednesday 8 July - Sunday 6 September • In our main gallery • 10am – 5pm • Last admission 4pm • At peak times, there may be a short wait to enter the gallery to ensure visitors have the best experience possible. • £1.50 • 3’s and under go free. There will be a press preview on Tuesday 7th July at 5pm.]