Imagination and Third Spaces
A Poetic Exploration on Childism & The Third Space
The Power of Imagination and Third Spaces in Mitigating Children's Systemic Oppression
What is the Power of Imagination and Third Spaces as Tools to Mitigate the Systemic Oppression that Children Face in Contemporary Society?
This project explores how imagination and third spaces can serve as powerful tools to combat the systemic oppression children face today. It examines the role of rebellious, oppositional imaginations in driving social justice and how these creative, alternative thinking spaces allow children to challenge societal norms and envision a more equitable world.
By focusing on third spaces—environments outside of the home and school where children are free from adult authority—this work highlights the profound liberation children experience when they are allowed to exist outside oppressive structures. In these spaces, children can think independently, express themselves freely, and build new possibilities for social change.
This project emphasises the transformative potential of imagination and autonomy in creating empowered, socially conscious young people.
Poetry Workshop
For this project, I ran a workshop with 60 children, aged 9-11, where they were asked a series of questions about how childism affects them. Poetry was used as a tool for expression, offering a creative and reflective way for children to confront their own experiences of oppression without directly engaging with the heavier aspects of the topic. The poetry acted as a buffer, allowing them to explore these themes in a more approachable manner. Afterward, they were asked to draw pictures of their favorite third space, further connecting their personal experiences to the concept of liberation.
Gallery
Full description of the project and images are coming soon!
