CounterPlay

Author: Olivia Pallesen

  • The double-edged sword of the modern library

    The double-edged sword of the modern library

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    The classic library is a conundrum in and of itself, a building dedicated to the imaginary worlds of fiction, of curious characters from the minds of authors and playwrights, and a space where you are asked not utter a word louder than your breath, and where more angry stares hit your eyes than at a busy train station.

    For us CounterPlayers the library is a valued venue, it is a space for us to explore our ideas, and moreover it’s a collaborator and friend that enables our annual festival to become a reality. My job as a volunteer was to make sure that the allocated rooms and spaces where ready for both participants and hosts, and required both a laptop in one arm and a friendly face when walking around asking students, library guests and the like to kindly leave the space open for our festival.

    Luckily for me, most students seemed to understand the relevance of a debate staged in the library, others, however, had their doubts as to what a festival of play was doing, first of all in the library, and second of all, why it involved adults.

    It was and still is curious to me how the users of such a vast mecca of literature and knowledge are unaware of their own need and desire to play. Are we not, as readers, part of an adventure that far exceeds ordinary life? I would even argue that the pages of non-fiction and newspaper as well as literature require us to step out of our immediate present and let words form the bridge between us and somewhere else. To learn and experience is to take a leap of faith.

    Exactly this dilemma was what brought the participants and listeners to the debate in the spring. What are the possibilities of the library, and how do we change the norms adherent to it? Kindergardens, schools and organizations as well as us at CounterPlay, wish for the library to evolve into a room and community that embraces imagination not just in the written word.

    Here on our blog I wish to take the question even further: how is it that the library, the home of books, adventures, fairy princesses, epic wars and deceptive murderers is a space of silence? Even the division of a children’s wing indicate a need to separate the immediate imagination and play (and noise?) of children from the seriousness of the adult reader. But I believe that just as much action is present within the mind of the adult reader, and thus the physical space of the library, the seriousness and silence seems to be in clear opposition to the realm of the inner experience.

    Perhaps the library should be a place for us to explore and to play, where children are free to move around and experience narrative in their own way? Perhaps a place where old prejudices can be challenged by who knows – a laughing kid, a bubble show, a reading or performance art? Even smaller libraries without the resources for separate rooms for play or immersion might open up the space for a little less quiet and a little more laugh.

    We all here at CounterPlay dare you to challenge the conventions of the home of the written word and accept, show and respect the inner need for play and imagination.

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  • Are the Robots coming?

    Are the Robots coming?

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    At debate at this years CounterPlay festival I was confronted by a question I had never thought of asking before. Even though our modern times seem to demand it of us on a daily basis. On our phones, at factories, on labs and libraries, all over the world, the robot is no longer a word reserved for the far off worlds of Science Fiction, the future is now, and the robots? They have come to stay.

    So what do we do – us the human beings? Some of us may already have been replaced, while others might be staring down the barrel at the electronic intern. So let’s take a ride down worst-case scenario; if the robots are here not only to makes things easier, but actually end up taking over our jobs, what are our options?

    In a society that reflects a strong focus on the natural sciences and technology, it can be hard to spot what other possibilities the future beholds, but is play, creativity and the arts not the right place to go for answers? Is art not what sets us apart from each other, from the robot, from the cool, calm and collected science?

    True, this vision is not only dull, but might even seem like an unrealistic dystopia. But I believe the thought is worth exploring, for reflection and sheer curiosity if nothing else.

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    To downplay the arts, to devote your-self to the endless roll of work schedules, payday and calculated free time, is that not the road to stress? Play however has become a term only applied to the past-time of children, and that is where we at CounterPlay propose to start. The language of play is not as well founded as the language of learning. Often play is set into and perceived through the context of learning. It has to occupy a profitable purpose, teach the children something, a tendency that quite frankly complicates the argument of play.

    But why should we even have to argue to play? Play is meant to set us free, free of everyday life, of the norms of civilized society, of the roles of parents, co-workers, mother, brother, sister, teacher and child. That all may sound well and good to you, but how do you do it?

    There is no doubt that to introduce play as play, and play for play’s sake in our modern society is a hard task to undertake, but nonetheless this cause is much too important for us and, I will argue, for YOU! We need to start emphasizing the arts, not dismiss them as unnecessary, silly and a waste of time. We need to recognize the way in which creativity expands our mind, thoughts, feelings and worldview, and thus expand and create our future.

    I can only end my thoughts on one end, to encourage you to challenge your ways, break the rules and expand your mind.

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