14/11/2013
This project was inspired by dreamcatchers...
Dreamcatchers made from willow, twigs, and other natural materials were originally arts/crafts of the native American people, intended to teach natural wisdom. They were hung above the bed to sift dreams and visions and were considered to hold the destiny of the future. The good dreams were thought to pass through the centre hole of the web to the sleeping person. The bad and evil were said to be captured in the web; perishing in the light of the morning sun.
Another legend tells of an old spiritual leader who had a vision. In this vision, Iktomi (the searcher of wisdom), appeared in the form of a spider. Iktomi the spider picked up the elder's willow hoop and began to spin a web. He spoke to the elder about how in each time of life there are many forces, some good and some bad. If you listen to the good forces, they will steer you in the right direction. But, if you listen to the bad forces, they'll steer you in the wrong direction. When Iktomi finished speaking, he gave the elder the web and said, "Use the web to help your people reach their goals, making good use of their ideas, dreams and visions. The web will filter your good ideas and the bad ones will be trapped and will not pass."
"Web of dreams"
-Each student created their own dreamcatcher to be displayed in their homes. To this, they attached their personal dreams for their future.
-They all wrote down a personal goal, which they put into one glass bottle. In about a years time, this bottle will be opened and the students will reflect on wether they have achieved their goal, or have moved any closer to achieving it.
-The web above the car represents a spider's web. Hung from it, written on the wooden sticks, are the students' dreams and visions for the future of Potter's Place school and the larger community of El Nido.
-The large dreamcatcher was made collaboratively by teachers of the school. The circle shape represents strength and unity. Each of the five small dreamcatchers embedded in the large one represents one of the schools five 'missions': To provide children's growth in basic skills and knowledge, physical wellness, creativity, ability to think and reason and character.
-Each student at the school from pre-school to high-school, cut a piece of straw to be attached to web in the Y-shaped tree. It symbolises how the student's identity are interwoven with the school and how they always will be connected to each other throughout life, as former students of Potter's Place.