The Name of Fear by artist Rivane Neuenschwander is the latest of our annual Children’s Commissions. For the work the artist conducted workshops with local school children, discussing their fears and translating their writings and designs into colourful handmade capes. Associated with power, protection, the natural and the supernatural, the capes also echo Neuenschwander’s interest in children’s books, folk traditions and psychoanalysis.
Last week, we gave pupils from Osmani Primary School and Columbia Road Primary School a sneak peek at the show, with a chance to model the capes and tell us about the fears that inspired the work.
Inaaya, Age 9 Whitechapel Gallery: What do you fear? Inaaya: Scream. WG: Why? I: I hate it when people scream in my ear. WG: What did you like about the project? I: Seeing the show was good and fancy.
Zarraf, Age 9 Whitechapel Gallery: What is your fear? Zarraf: Thunder. WG: Why? Z: They make loud noise when I’m sleeping. WG: What did you like about the project? Z: It was fun, cool and awesome.
Lisa, Age 8 Whitechapel Gallery: What is your fear? Lisa: Airplane crash. WG: Why? L: Because you’d have to go down the parachute and I’m scared of heights.
Sameeya, Age 9 Whitechapel Gallery: What is your fear? Sameeya: End of the world. WG: Why? S: Because I might not experience all the things in life. WG: What did you like about the project? S: The show is so nice. The artist used different materials and they stay still and don’t get out of place.
Sara, Age 9 Whitechapel Gallery: What is your fear? Sara: First day of school. WG: Why? S: Because people might not play with you. And you are worried. WG: What do you think of the exhibition? S: The show is fantastic.
Eva & Zaynab, Age 8 Whitechapel Gallery: What do you fear? Eva & Zaynab: A ghost. WG: Why? E&Z: When I’m in bed I imagine there can be a ghost under. WG: What did you like about the project? E&Z: We loved making the cape. It was cool.
Federico, Age 7 Whitechapel Gallery: What do you fear? Federico: Drowning. WG: Why? F: I fear I sink to the bottom of the sea and no one would see me.
Eva, Age 8 Whitechapel Gallery: What do you fear? Eva: Darkness. WG: Why? E: It reminds of nightmares. With this cape, it is as if I am a star and all the darkness will go away.
