Architecture begins with a model: young guests of the National Centre RUSSIA created theatrical masks from cardboard
Young guests of the National Centre RUSSIA are mastering the art of model-making as part of a series of workshops in the educational program of "The Birth of Scale" exposition. On May 17, at the National Centre RUSSIA, a session called "Architectural Masks" was held, where children made cardboard mask models of characters from Roald Dahl's book "The Enormous Crocodile." Each workshop participant chose their character (crocodile, elephant, or monkey) and, under the guidance of teachers, created its image from cardboard, which can be used as part of a costume in various theatrical productions.
The workshop was conducted by:
- Yevgenia Trifonova — architect, co-founder of SLONOPOTAM creative workshops;
- Dmitry Alexandrov — architect, designer.
According to the session mentors, the ability to create a model is fundamental to an architect's work. The model itself can be absolutely anything — from masks to houses. In this way, young creators train their spatial thinking, attention, and imagination.
"Students have come to love the process of creating masks in our 'Performance' course, and we decided to conduct one of the mask workshops here, at the National Centre RUSSIA. Using cardboard and glue, we make interesting, unusual masks with the children. We work like real architects — measuring, cutting, folding three-dimensional forms. This is how children learn to make models through play. And from masks, they can move on to complex architectural objects," said architect and co-founder of SLONOPOTAM creative workshops Yevgenia Trifonova.
The creative meeting continued a series of workshops in the space of the future for children and youth, which is becoming a point of attraction for both the youngest guests and their parents.
"Two of my children are at this workshop — my younger son is 6 years old, my daughter is 9. We saw an announcement on the National Centre RUSSIA website and came. My son has attended sessions before, he really likes it, and his older sister followed him, also deciding to try. He liked it when we built different buildings. It's very interesting here for both children and parents. The National Centre has an unusual atmosphere that develops creative thinking in children. It also teaches coordinated work because there is communication with other children and with teachers," shared mother Anastasia Chubanova.
All details about the next children's workshop at the National Centre RUSSIA can be found on the website in the "Events" section. The sessions are free, but pre-registration is required.
The architectural exposition "The Birth of Scale" at the National Centre presents both realised project as well as those that remained only as ideas and plans. The exposition includes both items from the National Centre RUSSIA’s own collection and those provided by museums and private collectors across the country.
Watch the series of the National Centre RUSSIA’s educational lectures on architecture with Yelizaveta Likhacheva and learn more about the Russian architecture.
Partners of "The Birth of Scale" exposition include DOM.RF, the Ministry of Construction of Russia, Gazprom, the State Research Museum of Architecture named after A. V. Shchusev, the Russian State Archive of Literature and Art, the Architectural Charitable Foundation named after Yakov Chernikhov, and the HSE School of Design.
Event photobank
One of the most unusual is the model of the ring city "Saturniy," designed by a graduate of the Higher Artistic and Technical Workshops.
