Project Caravan

with Oto Hudec

participative project with Roma children

visited localities: Spišské Podhradie, Roškovce, Petrovany, Stará Tehelňa in Prešov, Sveržov, Bratislava- Podunajské Biskupice.

A community art project Project Caravan was designed for mostly young people from Slovak Roma community. Two artists, Daniela Krajčová and Oto Hudec travel around country with specifically equipped caravan that serves for various animation and video techniques: drawing with chalk on blackboard, sand drawing animation, blue background for chroma key effects, wooden puppets with design based on original children drawings for stop - motion animation. First workshop which used an old photography technique cyanotype explored the theme of mutual help that is deeply present in comunity life of roma people. Short interview with these children and later on an extensive interview with community workers served as base for the story line of animations and videos. Also to focus on musical talent the blue chroma key background was used to situate dancing and singing participants into an imaginary landscape of their own drawings. The participants had also chance to work with cameras and create their own view on workshops through documentary photos. At the end of three to four days workshops there was a public screening of edited videos and animations often with the presence of whole community (including parents and neighbors). As is the intention of community centers of partner organisation People in Need the authors were also including young people from majority into the creative process.