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The workshop “Light and Shadow” at WinterFun in Riedstadt combines technology, movement and creativity
Children from WinterFun, the Erfelden after-school program, and the Leeheim school-age childcare center experienced an extraordinary art workshop during the last week of summer vacation. Using cameras, long exposure times, and various light sources, they "painted" with light, creating fascinating photographic artworks. The resulting works will be part of a children's art exhibition at the art gallery in the Büchnerhaus.
Marvel at the brilliant results
At the conclusion of the "Light and Shadow" workshop, the children and teenagers gathered in a darkened room for a joint slideshow. Luminous swirls of color, letters formed from light, and abstract diagrams made of colorful lines elicited audible enthusiasm. The visible results of their experiments triggered numerous "aha!" moments.
Creative action day as part of WinterFun
The workshop was part of the "WinterFun" holiday program, organized by the youth office of the town of Riedstadt in cooperation with the Auszeit association. The activity days could be booked individually. For the art workshop, the group of participants was expanded: In addition to the WinterFun children supervised by Julia Spitzer and Kai Wambold, children from the Leeheim after-school care program and the Erfelden daycare center also took part.
Three stations, one goal: photographic experiments
The workshop took place in a container at the Erfelden primary school, which also houses the after-school care program. The participants were divided into three groups and each rotated through three prepared stations. The goal was to create imaginative photographic artworks by experimenting with exposure times, light sources, and movement.
Workshop leader Christian Schmitt describes the approach as a combination of technology and free expression: abstract impressions arise through movement and chance, allowing the children to experience immediate success. The rapid visibility of the results sparked curiosity and motivated them to experiment.
Light sources, motion, and color search
Among the materials used were glow sticks, fairy lights, flashlights, and small disco balls. At one station, the camera remained stationary while the participants painted with light. At another, the camera moved while the light source was fixed. The third station took the groups outdoors: using the camera, they searched specifically for a particular color in their surroundings. This photographic color search forms the basis for a follow-up art project during the Easter holidays, which will combine photography and painting techniques.
Children's art exhibition planned for spring
The art event also marked the start of a collaboration with the city's cultural office. A children's art exhibition is planned for the end of April at the art gallery in the Büchnerhaus. For this exhibition, the participating groups will each select one or two of their photographic artworks. These will be complemented by additional works created during the Easter holiday workshop.
(Riedstadt - Red/PSR)
