FIELD OF PLAY

For more information: Susan Trien, 585-410-6359, strien@strongmuseum.org

Field of Play Overview
Play is both the message and the medium in this one-of-a-kind hands-on laboratory for exploring play. Guests are invited to view a multi-media orientation presentation about the importance of play in human learning and creativity, and to participate in creative play at play stations, that represent the six major components of play: Anticipation, Surprise, Pleasure, Strength, Poise, and Understanding. Dramatic lighting, high tech interactives, computer games, and mind-defying illusions give personal and cultural meaning to the importance of play. The exhibit is peppered with meaningful quotes about play from major historic figures in the field. (e.g., “A child loves his play, not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard”—Dr. Benjamin Spock; "Play is the highest form of research”—Albert Einstein.)

Educational Framework
Field of Play reflects the mission of Strong National Museum of Play®: exploring play to encourage learning, creativity and discovery, and to illuminate American culture. Play is trivialized in our culture, but in reality it is among the most effective educational tools and is vital to learning and development at any age. Play is basic to human nature and important to understanding the way culture changes.

Architecture
Form follows function in the structure that houses Field of Play, designed by award-winning architectural firm Chaintreuil Jensen Stark. The structure, which looks from the outside like a giant pile of brightly-colored children’s blocks, is created from 40 tons of structural steel, custom cut and bolted together at odd angles to support the building’s unusual geometry. The building’s brilliant colors are made from five-foot square panels of a special “skin-like” resin-based cladding material manufactured in Europe and rarely seen in the U.S.

Artifacts
More than forty cases contain hundreds of objects from the museum’s collections including historic and contemporary examples of games, toys, board games, sports equipment, puzzles, books, comic books, clothing, advertisements, posters, magic tricks, photographs, collecting cards, patent models, fitness equipment, and personal playthings from museum founder Margaret Woodbury Strong.

Inside Field of Play

• Entrance:
The entrance to Field of Play forms an irresistible invitation to come inside and play, featuring magical juggling balls spinning in mid-air, glowing and blinking panels flashing messages about play, mini-worlds in peek-a-boo dioramas, and fun objects from the museum’s collection.
• Multimedia Theater
An eight-minute, 3-screen, multi-media orientation presentation acquaints guests with concepts pertaining to the importance of play. The presentation includes larger-than-life images of objects from the museum’s collection, light effects, and provocative quotations and ideas about the role of play throughout history.
• Play Stations
Six play stations represent the various components of play:

Anticipation: When do we start playing? As soon as we begin to think of it! Play begins as an inspiration, an impulse, and a tickle. In this section, guests manipulate a gigantic overhead kinetic ball machine, become a drag-race driver and put their response reflexes to the test; participate in a Hot Wheels race; and activate an air cannon to produce electronic colored ripples.

Surprise: The most pleasant surprises are the ones we’re ready for! Surprising pleasures await as you try to keep your balance in the Exaggerated Perspective Room; enjoy a collection of gag gifts, magic artifacts, and card tricks; and experience many surprising interactives and optical illusions.

Pleasure: Play delights us mentally, physically and socially. Use your electronically-simulated shadow to “catch” brilliantly colored bubbles or try to sort a group of floating red and blue marbles into groups—it’s not easy! Visit the “undersea” world of the Jellyfish Jungle; trickle “sand” through a Rain Barrel instrument and enjoy the sounds of the rain forest; and take pleasure in texture sensory activities, peek-a-boo boxes, and story-telling opportunities. Understanding: Play is good for body and brain. It trains our muscles and our minds. It teaches us physical and intellectual skills. Move through a giant, walk-through kaleidoscope and create and view your own kaleidoscope patterns; see four ways kaleidoscopes can be designed; play the music video game “Dance, Dance Revolution.”

Strength: Play challenges us. It demands endurance and cleverness, thereby building stamina and resilience. Challenge yourself at the Bouldering Wall and the Super Grip Tester; visit the Super Drawing Table and draw your super-powered self or an imaginary friend (enlarged guest drawings are projected on the wall).