In the communal painting workshop, the children could freely create one big painting together. The theme was “creatures”. Many of these creatures got their own names and background stories. Together they created their own funny world, in which they were friends and “visited” each other.  

In the costume workshop the children could dress up in different costumes and take photographs of their outfits. Our students got excited about this workshop too, and didn´t remain just workshop tutors, as you can see in the pictures.

Text: Anniina Pasanen 2017
Images: Anniina Pasanen, Julia Matinniemi, Sari Tervaniemi

We had an exciting workshop in Hong Kong with the students from Polytechnic University. During the first day we explored the beautiful Chinese garden of Nan Liang and got to see how the local nature feels like compared to Finland's familiar pine forests. 

Thanks to the humid and warm environment the plants were green and bright. The most distinct difference for me, was the smell.

Some might find small bonsai trees unnatural and trapped, but I think they are cute and all have different story hidden behind them.

On Wednesday we arrived to Dragon's Back. It was nice hiking trail close to our hostel. The weather was quite good. It wasn't too hot and didn't rain so we were lucky. The weather forecast said there could be a typhoon but thankfully it came after we had left Hong Kong.

Before we could start our climb, we had to walk through this peaceful forest path. After the forest we climbed up and down the "Dragon's back". The view was worth all the hard work.

For me, the greatest part on this trip was to meet new and old friends, and to see how different our cities are. Nature is amazing where ever you go, but it's also so unique. 

Our goal is to find ways how to connect nature with virtual reality games and help people to relax that way. 

This trip expanded my view how different nature can be, and how it affects everyone in various ways.

The theme for this Workshop was Virtual reality and many of us invested it in our game concepts. I can't wait to see what we have produced by next year.

Thank you all from this amazing workshop! :)

Text & Pictures by: Eve Kyllönen

On the 1st of October we celebrated Tampere day in Mediapolis, along with lots of enthusiastic kids and Pikku Kakkonen characters.

Mediapolis Campus was open for the public. Many activities were there for the curious that assisted the event. Exhibitions, live music and screenings. Fine art teachers and students collaborate in the making of a painting workshop, we got to experiment and create together beautiful collective paintings with kids.

The workshop was divided in three sessions, the first painting included Katti Matikainen from Yle, more than 48 kids and their families participated together to paint every piece.

The original photos include very colourful scenarios and situations with the characters The kids were given the tools and the materials to paint. They use the photo reference in order to paint the piece. Here you will see the original image vrs. the painting.