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TAGASI
The adventure playground* is an installation as well as a public space manifest – an invitation to think about space as an opportunity rather than a finished product. The experience shows that even temporary space evolving freely in time can create meaningful coherence. An institution of national importance and the spontaneous creativity of young people can work together, not against each other.
The strictly maintained museum area was balanced by the “self-generating” junk-yard playground providing children with a rare urban luxury – time, space and freedom. Instead of the glow of digital screens and the environments designed by adults, here they could play freely, build, take risks and make mistakes. So through skills, cooperation and self-belief, they could get a real sense of life.
In one month, the playground was visited by 700 children and youngsters. The queues outside the gate were a clear proof that a game not run by an algorithm or an adult is an attraction. A free-form play required being safely away from parents. A separate area was created for adults and small children, so that young people could really be and act on their own.
The adventure playground means learning through experience – a small but significant step towards a more lively and independent childhood.
*A playground created by school-age children – a lively and safe learning environment. The area is surrounded by a fence, agreements are in place and regular risk assessments are carried out. The safety of children and the environment is ensured by the presence of play assistants, i.e. specially trained adults. The play assistants create a safe framework where the responsibility is given over to children.
