A feast for the senses - Roman style
by Nic Vogelpoel
Sense in the West Midlands has begun an exciting partnership with the Birmingham Museums and Galleries and walking through the Summit Point resource centre this week, I did feel like I was stepping back in time. Boxes of Roman, Greek and Egyptian artefacts, some over 4000 years old have descended upon the centre as part of a new arts, heritage and wellbeing project.
This week, deafblind people have been exploring Roman objects and using tactile object-handling sessions as stimulus for a range of arts, craft and healthy living activities.
Object handling is a unique way of engaging with museums and culture and for deafblind people; it is a multi-sensory approach that makes heritage more accessible and engaging.
From iron keys, to Roman coins, and oil lamps, the group explored some of the ways these objects would have been used thousands of years ago, and what we might use them for today. One participant commented that a shard of a cooking pot reminded her of a jigsaw piece, while a fragment of an ancient colander felt more like a domino piece!
The group, facilitated by the fantastic and enthusiastic support staff at Summit Point, then worked on sculpting and moulding their own replica Roman cookware in a clay and sculpture activity. From handling precious artefacts, each participant chose their own creative response and the results ranged from coins and pots to mortar and pestles.
As if by natural progression, the cooking group decided to work on some Roman recipes. After some successful research, the group found what they were looking for. Who knew that Honey Bread was an ancient Roman delicacy? The cooking group resorted to Roman processes too, kneading dough and sticky honey until the smell of baking loaves filled the air.
Stay tuned for more updates about the project as it unfurls over the next year. I hear that a regular swimming session is being staged at a local historic Roman bath.
For more information about Sense Arts and Wellbeing, do check on our Flickr gallery showcasing art from all around the organisation.
If you want to get connected with Sense Arts or learn more about our projects, or you might have an idea that you’d like to develop – please get in contact with Nic Vogelpoel from Arts and Wellbeing at nic.vogelpoel@sense.org.uk.
Nic Vogelpoel is Head of Arts and Wellbeing at Sense
Add new comment