My Playground, My Say — Children’s Participatory Playground Design
“Spirit Portal” Showcase under Yun-86 Township Road Bridge, Dounan: Turning Children into Playground Designers
The curatorial project My Playground, My Say engaged more than one hundred children in a participatory design workshop, inviting them to channel their creativity into a future, built playground. Beyond celebrating imagination, the process upheld children’s right to be heard (expressive agency) and strengthened teamwork and problem-solving skills throughout the design journey.
By taking part firsthand, the children developed a strong sense of ownership, belonging, and pride in “their” playground. At the same time, the project fostered community cohesion and a shared identity. The playful, inventive concepts generated here will infuse the forthcoming inclusive playground with fresh energy and open-ended possibilities.
Venue: Under the Yun-86 Township Road Bridge, Dounan Township (Yunlin County)
Art Installation Design: Huang Ying-cheng (RAUM+ Laboratory for Art and Open Space)
From the singular "I" to the collective "We," a shared consciousness forges a shared future. At the forefront of this transformative journey is The Inner Luminescence of Every Soul. In the pursuit of the profound joys of life, our wings unfurl, with each feather symbolizing a family member—shimmering like myriad stars in a cosmic dance. These sudden illumination and fleeting sparks of insight coalesce into a boundless reservoir of knowledge and energy. They gather like fragments of light, forming a mosaic of thoughts. In this shared quest, partners embark on mutual adventures, transitioning their own empathy to collective empathy. They cultivate understanding and solidarity, discovering common values, and together, they ascend into the expansive skies of possibility.
In the evolving landscape of 2024, this radiant force of wisdom is not merely a vessel for memories of times gone by but also a beacon of the collective intellect and aspirations of the citizens of Taichung City, charting the course toward a progressive future.