Visual Treasure Hunts
To hunt or not to hunt? There is no question…
‘Ferris Wheel’ by Jaslyn, 2011.
The Visual Treasure Hunts encourage people to tap into their natural observational skills and creatively expand their visual awareness through photography, drawing and text. The hunts are low on high-tech bizzo but high on creativity, self expression and fun.
Originally designed for children from 3- 12 years of age, hunts are also available for teenagers and adults. The hunts are tailored to the specific location and needs of clients, such as schools, birthday parties, workplaces, etc. For pricing, contact me via email or phone: 0410 757 202 (within Australia) or (+61) 410 757 202 (from overseas).
Important Hunting Info:
– How It Works
– The Children’s Exhibition at ArtPlay
– The Hunting Philosophy
– Free Treasure Hunts
(apologies, I still haven’t worked out how to insert ‘jump to’ links on WordPress, so just scroll down for the timebeing. Thanks.)
How it Works.
Using visual and written clue-sheets, people search for pre-existing treasures, hunting down the often overlooked yet beautiful mundane objects that surround us everyday. Upon finding the treasures, they creatively document them using cameras and drawing/writing materials.
The concept was developed during the Cataract Gorge Artist in Residence program in Tasmania. Hunts were originally run at ArtPlay as part of a City of Melbourne Arts Grant. Hunts have also been led at Heide Museum of Modern Art, Abbotsford Convent Arts Precinct, Melbourne Grammar’s Grimwade House Primary School (as part of an ‘Artist in Residence’ program) and for private parties.
Here are some sample images…
All images Copyright ‘The Hunters’.
The Children’s Exhibition at ArtPlay
This was an exhibition of the children’s artworks created during Visual Treasure Hunts at ArtPlay in 2011. It was supported through the City of Melbourne’s Arts Grants Program. Participants were aged from 3 – 12 years. The exhibition was held in 2012 and included:
- a series of over 150 mini ‘image-tablets’ which formed a treasure-trail looping across the 11 metres wide gallery wall.
- nine large-scale photographs, each 120cm x 90 cm.
- accompanying paintings made on large-scale reproductions of the treasure hunt maps. Thanks to my nieces and nephew (Noah, Tara and Maia) for their help creating them. xo
- a digital projection of over 450 of the children’s photos and drawings, and documentary images of the hunts in action.
Below are some images of the exhibition. To see the full set of the children’s images and documentation of previous hunts, jump in here.
All images Copyright ‘The Hunters’.
Hunting Philosophy
Everyone loves a treasure hunt! These hunts are designed to be free-flowing and non-prescriptive, in order to let people develop self-expression, confidence and artistic skills in a fun way. Observational and artistic techniques are discussed en route. The hunts are low on modern hi-fi wizardry and high on old-fashioned intuition, creativity and fun!
The main aims include:
* To reinforce and encourage innate observational skills and to further develop them through creative self-expression, providing an introduction to basic artistic and technical skills of photography, drawing and writing in the process.
* To develop one’s appreciation of the simple but wondrous ‘treasures’ that surround us everyday, particularly things that are often overlooked or considered mundane but which, if viewed from a new perspective, become quite wondrous.
* In a society obsessed with the latest technology, material gains and efficiency, the Visual Treasure Hunt aims to celebrate simple yet profound activities which encourage creativity, simplicity, physical activity and innate ability.
Free Treasure Hunts
In 2011 I led hunts in the parkland around ArtPlay (a children’s art centre located behind Federation Square, Melbourne). As part of this program the children and I created eight brand new treasure hunts for free use by anyone at anytime. All you have to do is download the following, below: the uber cool Treasure Hunt Maps; visual clues; and verbal clues. Then follow the simple instructions, below, …to get hunting! And thanks to the wonderful artist, Sal Cooper, who collaborated with us to create the resulting maps.
How to take part in the free treasure hunts
The numbers on the maps indicate where the treasures are hidden and correspond to the numbers on the visual and verbal clue-sheets. Follow the path on the map and use the visual and verbal clues to help find the treasures.
* Hunter G’s ArtPlay Hunt 8 Download the following: Treasure Hunt Map. Visual Clues Part 1. Visual Clues Part 2. Verbal Clues. Created by the December 11, 2011 Hunting Party: Ben, Cara, Charlie, Dorothea, Ella, Finley, Giaan, Van, Vianna and Hunter G.
* Hunter G’s ArtPlay Hunt 7 Download the following: Treasure Hunt Map. Visual Clues Part 1. Visual Clues Part 2. Verbal Clues. Created by the December 4, 2011 Hunting Party: Caleb, Julia, Luka, Marly, Otilia, Reggie, Riley, Saskia, William and Hunter G.
* Hunter G’s ArtPlay Hunt 6 Download the following: Treasure Hunt Map. Visual Clues Part 1. Visual Clues Part 2. Verbal Clues. Created by the November 6, 2011 Hunting Party: Cooper, Darcy, Elijah, Mia, Rachel, Steve and Hunter G.
* Hunter G’s ArtPlay Hunt 5 Download the following: Treasure Hunt Map. Visual Clues Part 1. Visual Clues Part 2. Verbal Clues. Created by the October 30, 2011 Hunting Party: Ben, Dorothea, Erin, Hugh, Lola, Vianna and Hunter G.
* Hunter G’s ArtPlay Hunt 4 Download the following: Treasure Hunt Map. Visual Clues Part 1. Visual Clues Part 2. Visual Clues Part 3. Verbal Clues. Created by the September 18, 2011 Hunting Party: Anastasia, Ethan, Luka, Shwetha, Andrea, Harry, James, Tom, Hayden, Oliver, Lauren and Hunter G.
* Hunter G’s ArtPlay Hunt 3 Download the following: Treasure Hunt Map. Visual Clues Part 1. Visual Clues Part 2. Verbal Clues. Created by the September 4, 2011 Hunting Party: Andy, Boyden, Edith, Gabriel, Jamie, Jem, Kira, Lachlan, Michael, Miles, Sasha, Willeford and Hunter G.
* Hunter G’s ArtPlay Hunt 2 Download the following: Treasure Hunt Map. Visual Clues Part 1. Visual Clues Part 2. Verbal Clues. Created by the April 10, 2011 Hunting Party: Dorothea, Felix, Jaslyn, Sophie, Thom, Will and Hunter G.
* Hunter G’s ArtPlay Hunt 1 Download the following: Treasure Hunt Map. Visual Clues Part 1. Visual Clues Part 2. Verbal Clues. Created by the April 3, 2011 Hunting Party: Bethany, Khalisha, Aaron and Hunter G.
Take your family and friends on a hunting expedition. Anyone can do it, young or old. The hunts are free and kenloads of fun! They are located in the Birrarung Marr parkland – just follow the Yarra River upstream past Federation Square. For more detailed info about Birrarung Marr, including history, directions, etc, click on the link above. NB. No animals were harmed in the making of these hunts. Happy Hunting!
“On the land of the Wurundjeri people
we hunt
for treasures both old and new
the beautiful mundane
that hide right under our noses!”
Pabulum 