Within Bear Park, we view not only our children but also our teachers as resourceful creative thinkers, so with this in mind, we have once again organised a “Bear Park Wearable Arts” event.
This event not only highlights our teacher’s creativity and ingenuity with the use of recycled resources but also shows how this ‘trash’ can be turned into spectacular wearable designs.
Our teachers involve the children by inviting them to participate in the collation, design, and transformation phases of these artistic formations and also throughout the discussions on how such items can be re-used and reinvented into something unique.
These final ‘creations’ are then worn by our teachers in a runway show attended by all of the
Bear Park staff. This is the first time we have invited parents to come and see the amazing garments their tamariki have helped create. We were delighted to have Katie Higgins from Enviroschools attend and in her words “am still buzzing from the Bear Park event on Saturday. It was so uplifting, joyous and inspirational”
With your support, we raised $1250 from ticket sales. Bear Park has matched this to donate a total of $2500 to Hato Hone, St John.
We look forward to hosting our Wearable Arts again in 2024, bigger and better than before.
Ko au te Whenua – I am the Land”
Bear Park Epsom
Materials: Hessian sacks, chicken wire, paper, natural resources, fabrics, plastic
Through the story ‘Papatūānuku has a Tummy Ache’ we heard how our earth mother has become sick. This Earth is where we live, where we grow our food and from which we gain sustenance. As we continue to fill our landfills with toxic non-biodegradable rubbish, her puku and friendly worms are all suffering. This provoked conversations about what we can do to nurture Papatūānuku’s well being and take collective action towards a healthy, sustainable future.
Our focus turned to reflecting on the waste that we create in our daily lives and ways it can be reduced, reused or repurposed Discussions had amongst kaiako and tamariki generated the concept for our garment – a dress to re cloak Papatūānuku and restore her mana.
Our outfit echoes the lands majestic forms. Elements of it are made from collected natural taonga that have been expertly crafted using traditional techniques and indigenous wisdoms into gifts that showcase their beauty.
“Conversations of Tāwhirimātea”
Bear Park Remuera
As a striking feature, these materials produce sounds when in motion, mimicking the sensations of wind and rain.
“Tapestry of Voices” Bear Park Kohimarama
Materials: Black fencing, ribbon, fabric. milk bottles, plastic medical tubes.
Our garment showcases how we envision the voices of our centre woven together, creating a collaborative tapestry that is unique to our community of learners – tamariki, whānau and kaiako.
Ribbons and paper are woven through the base of the garment – these are the voices of our tamariki. The ribbons share the children’s verbal expressions and the papers interwoven through the skirt are their non verbal voices communicated through the hundred languages. This reflects how we listen intently to tamarii, giving value to their different forms of expression, and how we see each child as a unique individual within a connected community.
The layer of fabric was initially a table cloth which we used over our tables during atelier experiences. As we began to explore the concept of interweaving our voices through wearable arts, we looked at the fabric from the table and could see
how the detailed the brush strokes of our tamariki over the year captured the voices of many. We then offered this fabric to whānau, asking them to share their aspirations for their child.
Our kaiako also contributed to the fabric and carefully pieced each element of the garment together to create a visual representation of how we listen attentively and respectfully to the voices of whānau and tamariki, enabling us to intentionally shape our program, experiences, culture and values as a collective.
“An Ode to an Old Friend”
Bear Park Hobsonville
Materials: [old] Bear Park ribbons, bears, uniforms, CD, wire, mesh
When your centre is surrounded by water and has a proclivity for puddles during wild winter weather, it is hard not to be reflective. As such, we decided to pay homage to the theme of reflection with our wearable arts piece. The era that inspired the overall design is the 1920’s, a decade renown for fringe, thin eyebrows, and a heavy smokey eye. As it happens, it was also the decade in which the Mill house was built.
Featured in the bodice and, in this piece overall is the old Bear Park logo. This little bear in overalls represents our humble beginnings and incredible potential to grow. What started as ribbons tied around the necks of the teddy bears has transformed into a stunning bodice. Metal bears that marked years of service now twinkle upon a flowing skirt made up of our old uniform shirts.
We prioritised weaving in the bodice to represent us as a teaching team.
Just as the ribbons have been woven together to create a beautiful, if a little bumpy bodice, so too have our personalities, cultures, strong opinions, and big ideas to create a beautiful , if a little bumpy team. A belt of CD’s, represents the sunlight bouncing off the water. Many a child and kaiako alike has delighted in this phenomenon, seeing in the light and waves comfort and security reflecting back.
The skirt is filled with memories and mana as it is made up of the very shirts that we once wore as we comforted, cuddled and explored, with children of many years past. The bears that jump and twirl with each step are the children, playing upon a familiar and safe space. We hope that, as you take in this dress’ simplistic beauty, you see happiness reflected back.
“Technology”Bear Park Mairangi Bay
Materials: Netting, technological cables and wires, CD’s
Through the ages of time technology has existed in some way.
Through the stages of time it has influenced us every day.
Making connections through communication, different stations, in a variety of situations has been our norm.
We have evolved technology from primitive to a platform, to high tech in many different forms.
From cds, radios, to Telly shows, computers, games to telephones, to global roams, mobiles and more.
Have inspired us, delighted us, ignited us and taken the world by storm.
As we evolve our tech savvy world we feel confined, signed, trapped and wrapped, lost in some way.
The world is drifting on a sea of networks, ear pods, flip phones, high tones that see us through the day.
But is technology greater, it’s definitely a money maker, a time waster, a communicator we need somehow.
It gives a voice, a choice, an airway, a stairway to express ourselves.
“Pūriri” Bear Park Mt Eden
Materials: Paper, repurposed materials
Here is where you will find it; the evidence of where we’ve been, a testament to who we are. Its trunk tells our tales and its roots run deep through the spaces where we grow.
Nestled at the heart of our environment stands our Pūriri tree; our tree that holds our stories. In its shade, ngā tamariki have found a place to rest, to play, to investigate and to become.
Our Pūriri tree is a world of sensory experiences beckoning to us daily. We accept its invitation gladly as ngā tamariki get acquainted with its texture and see the creatures it holds.
As it has been empirical evidence of the learning journeys embarked on so will it continue to be. Its legacy, captured through Wearable Arts, will carry on. Through our outfit, we showcase the intricacies of our Pūriri tree; the melody of its rustling leaves, the texture of its surface and the creatures that call it home.
Here is where you will find us; in a Pūriri tree we are grateful to call ours.
“Kaitiakitanga meets Fibonacci”
Bear Park Albany
Materials: Aluminium soda cans, Flax
The most beautiful number in the Universe is the number of unlimited potentials.
Our artwork is inspired by the Fibonacci Sequence which is the key to understanding how nature designs. Every design is unique and hand crafted and portrays symbols found in the natural world that adheres to the principles of the Golden Ratio. To be in alignment with this harmonic sequence is to be open to the sustaining, beautifying and energising aspects of Papatūānuku.
We connected with whānau and our wider community to help us gather resources promoting a sense of kotahitanga and shared meaning making. There were multiple occasions for whānau, tamariki and kaiako to make their valued contribution. throughout the creative process.
The Essence of Ujima” Bear Park Herne Bay
Materials: Reusable grocery bags, pieces of fabrics, coffee pods, loofah, various plastic, can tabs, garden sticks, wires
Our theme embraces the essence of Ujima, a concept of collective work and responsibility.
This ensemble, adorned with discarded materials, symbolises our Herne Bay community & commitment to sustainability and creativity.
Our model, showcases a corset top and skirt crafted from reusable grocery bags embellished with flattened coffee pods, creating a distinct and edgy texture. Loofahs have been transformed into sleeves, adding a touch of playfulness to the outfit. Garden sticks and wires created the shape for the trailing, and this is intricately handwoven from cloth bags and plastic strips by our kaiako and tamariki.
To complete the look, we created a sturdy bag from fused rubbish plastic bags and stylish jewellery from can tabs. All recycled materials, were contributed by our families and skillfully assembled using wires, pins, threads, and strings, adhering to ethical practices. This not only ensures our fashion statement’s stylish appeal but also its sustainability.
“Te Wao Nui O Tiriwa – The Great Forest of Tiriwa” Bear Park Henderson
Materials: Weed matting, netting, found materials
As we travel to Bear Park Henderson we often see the silhouette of Te Wao Nui O Tiriwa – the Waitakere Ranges. A sleeping giant with many stories to tell. So we wondered how can we form connections with these narratives? The children began weaving their knowledge of myths to create our own pakiwaitara – folklore. Talks of Taniwha, fairies and a queen became intrinsic and these formed the foundation for our garments.
The main piece is based upon the children’s ideas of a Queen/Kaitiaki who watched over and supported life within the Ranges. Every class contributed to this through mark making, design and fabrication. Using re purposed materials, we wanted to evoke the feeling of sustaining life through all elements, taking the discarded and breathing new mauri into it.
Our Taniwha garment came from discussions about the mythical inhabitants of Te Wao Nui O Tiriwa. This ensemble nods to our past present and future with our old bears featuring in the crown, and the promise of kaitiakitanga as we head toward the future.
The wings of our native butterflies and moths inspired our tamariki and stories flowed into ideas about the Patupaiarehe (fairy people), who lived among Te Wao Nui O Tiriwa. They wore plain clothing in the stories, often not receiving the more beautiful gifts of other mythical creatures. The Tuī children decided to create an outfit capturing the beauty that they see in the West Auckland native bush – a gift that the Patupaiarehe could wear to make them as beautiful as the creatures in the stories they read with their families.
The children, kaiako and whānau worked collaboratively to bring their stories to life in the form of these three garments. This strengthened a sense of belonging, Turangawaewe and a deeper connection to the place where our community stands.
“Kotahitanga Couture” Bear Park St Heliers
Materials: food and yoghurt lids, nylon, ribbon, re purposed hat band
Meaningful relationships with others is embedded in our culture at Bear Park St Heliers. Between our kaiako, tamariki and whānau we feel at one, and pride ourselves in working together to provide an environment that our children thrive within.
Our inspiration is formed upon unity/kotahitanga and the cherished moments our children experience as they embark on their learning journey with us.
Mealtimes, are an integral part of this treasured time. With sustainability in the forefront of our mind for our design, we recognised the high volume of pouch lids that end up in the waste. The foundation of our resource was established so we invited our community to help us to collect lids for re-purpose.
As a Centre we place value on traditions and rituals. One of the most anticipated rituals the tamariki look forward to when graduating from the centre is the honour of wearing our
Korowai which represents respect and mana, symbolic of leadership, and includes the obligation to care for the people and the environment.
We began to look at other ways that we can be more mindful of waste within the Centre. The consensus amongst the Tui children was that too many felt tips pens were being thrown away and this became the catalyst for our puipui. Our woven whāriki bodice completes the outfits and symbolises our inter-connectedness and precious relationship with earth.
The children’s learning and joy echoes throughout our Centre and these sounds can be heard within the movement of our design. As our puipui and korowai sways, you will be able to see and hear the love, warmth and passion of both children and teachers, who have made our house a home.
