PRIVATE VIEW: Francis Alÿs - A film collaboration with NOWNESS

Watch as artist, Francis Alÿs, and artistic collaborator, Rafael Ortega, discuss how games and creativity help children interact with their environments, and contextualise an adult world beyond their understanding.

‘Childhood is something that should be profoundly respected – a right. What is precious is the space: the physical space, and the right to play.’

Since 1999, Alÿs has travelled around the world filming his critically acclaimed film series Children’s Games: from ‘musical chairs’ in Mexico, to ‘leapfrog’ in Iraq, ‘jump rope’ in Hong Kong, and ‘wolf and lamb’ in Afghanistan, it’s an exploration and celebration of the universality and ingenuity of play.

‘Ricochets’ has transformed our Art Gallery into a cinematic playground: visitors immerse themselves in multi-screen installations showing these children’s games. They illuminate the limitlessness of children’s imaginations – transcending war and challenging circumstances – with play acting as an invisible thread running throughout.‌

‘It’s a very humbling experience to film children. You adapt, there’s no directing, they’re the ones in charge. It’s an odd dance between engaging and disappearing.’

Pushing the boundaries of theatre, dance, film, music and visual art, the Barbican is a world-class arts and learning centre.

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