DreamScape (earlier known as Under the Table and Dreaming) is a sensorial experience for toddlers between 1.5 - 3 years, in a thoughtfully created environment.
Conceptualised by Ruchira Das, Director, ThinkArts, this installation uses different sounds, smells and various materials like wool, paper, jute, cloth, cotton, canvas & leaves to create an ambience for the child and the accompanying grown-up to  explore different textures and to  discover, engage and share a unique experience.

The first seeds of this installation were sown during a residency at Imaginate in Edinburgh, which she participated in, along with four other artists in October 2016. The response from the toddlers there urged her to create a bigger version on her return to India and with its latest iteration, it has taken the final shape. Recently, DreamScape was launched at Arth Early Learning Spaces.

About :
Not more than five children enter this space at one given time. Once inside, children are welcomed into a dimly lit room, with classical music playing in the background. Five different worlds await the children during a 30-40-minutes interaction. They are encouraged to take in the sights, sounds, smells and different textures.

While inside the space, they will encounter

A dreamy cloudy sky 

A centuries old painting and a pillow to lie down and see it

A forest like space full of leaves to lose oneself in
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Papers of different textures and shapes - but only in two colours, black and white

And in contrast, multi coloured wool and soft pompoms.

Finally, there is a tactile area, where all these materials are available for the child & adult to together explore - cotton, paper, wool, leaves, wood pieces.
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Response received :
The installation received a wonderful response from children, parents and teachers alike:

• An article published in The Telegraph –
  https://www.telegraphindia.com/calcutta/three-s-company-244568
  
• “The quite, calm ambience with soothing lights and sounds and the use of natural colours was like an oasis for my daughter who is otherwise cluttered with the noise of technology and development”
• “What I really loved was that there were no suggestions on how to experience the exhibits. Which is such a rare thing for kids today where everywhere and in everything they are told and asked what they feel and think and learnings are reinforced”
• “The installations themselves were quite well thought of, ranging from the quietest to the ‘noisiest’, from the abundance to the emptiness, from the orderly to the chaotic. We particularly found the installations to be very kid-friendly and interesting, but the best part was the ability to let the kid play with the respective elements just outside the installations”
• “Thank you so much for this quiet experience and we pray that more and more children could spend time in this ambience and connect with their inner selves”

CLICK HERE TO INVITE THIS INSTALLATION TO YOUR SCHOOL OR ARTS SPACE

CREATIVE TEAM
Concept & Design : Ruchira Das
Artist : Pavel Paul
Execution support by : Tamali Bhattacharya, Abheri Dutta, Bipasa Das

Along with associate artists, we have also produced a film version, Dreamscape at Home, to be able to reach babies and their grown-ups during the time of the pandemic.