Sound of Drawing & Voice Lab at Melbourne Design Week

Presented by Abbotsford Convent

Venue: The Store, Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford VIC

Drop in session dates and times:
- Fri 31 May: 1:30-3:30pm
- Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 June: 10am-12pm, 1:30-3:30pm

FREE, drop-in at any time during the sessions. No bookings required. Some families might stay for 10 minutes, others the full two-hour session.

Sound of Drawing:
On a long table covered in paper, children and their families wear headphones and draw with soft coloured pastels. The sounds of the pastels on the paper are picked up by sensitive microphones and amplified, turning the physical action of drawing into a live tapestry of sound. Participants listen to this through the headphones, hearing their scratches, swirls, tapping and scribbles as they make their collective mark in abstract artistic masterpieces.

These collaborative designs will be hung in The Store for participants and passers-by to enjoy. Sound of Drawing connects sound, gesture and artistic intention, drawing meaningful creative contributions from children and adults alike.

Voice Lab:
Voice Lab is a unique experience for children to share their thoughts and opinions. One at a time, they are invited into a small, beautifully designed, serene dome, featuring an intricate set of headphones. Wearing these, they have a conversation with the space itself — Voice Lab. It asks (and answers) questions, encourages opinions and regards the child as the expert.

Made from canvas and Tyvek, and incorporating lighting, sound and concealed technology, Voice Lab is immersive, theatrical and responsive. Within the heritage surrounds of Abbotsford Convent and its history, Voice Lab provides a safe space for local children to have a say about their present and their future.

For more event and access info, including a visual story, please refer to our website.