Sticky Maze

Sticky Maze is an interactive play space for kids of all ages where simple and everyday materials are used to transform public space into a labyrinth of fun. Kids and grown-ups enter a see-through maze made out of straight upright poles and walls of clear sticky tape which mark out the twists and turns of a maze structure. From this see-through, shimmery beginning, the participants are invited to ‘colour in’ the walls by sticking newspaper onto the tape. Gradually the walls become filled in, creating the ultimate bewildering maze. There are drawing stations outside the maze, providing materials to draw pictures, write messages and directions that are also stuck to the maze walls. The task is huge and gradually the children explore further and further the potential of the maze, creating games and tasks for themselves and their friends: hiding, chasing and tricking others.

Inside the Sticky Maze are Polyglot's performers who play tricksters: taking people the wrong way, hiding within the walls of paper, talking in gibberish and giving children tasks that take them on different paths through the maze. They are costumed as part of the event in newspaper-clad hats and vests, with disguises that change constantly. Here the child is the leader, and the performers part of their play.

The music for the show is everywhere – played live by our musician and incorporating the sounds of tape. It has a spy theme too – with the idea that this is a place where puzzles must be solved, problems are set and clues can be found. The music can be added to through involvement by the children or built on depending on the mood of the particular session.

This is a project that welcomes adult participation as well as children, encouraging children to lead their grownups through the maze and add to the walls. Sticky Maze creates a work of public art in a public space – one that is beautiful and unusual to look at as well as fun to play in. The idea of using clear tape and newspaper for the walls encourages use of simple materials to make fun. This project is a joyous playground where games and play, instigated by children, will last for hours.

Sticky Maze premiered on 19 April 2011 as part of Central Geelong's school holiday program and is best summed up by 8 year old Ryan from Geelong who said, "It's STICK-TASTIC!!"
 

For enquiries, please contact:
Simon Abrahams
Executive Producer
simon@polyglot.org.au
+61 3 9827 9667