An Instructor of Boxing at Princeton University for 25 years as well as a talented sculptor, Joseph Brown was inspired by the tensile qualities of the boxing ring to create playground structures that required not only balance but also cooperation with others 'on the ropes'.
"In 1954 he presented a paper at the National Recreation Congress and exhibited models of “play Communities,” designated to re-establish play as “a preparation for the responsibilities of maturity", with an emphasis on interdependency and cause and effect.
from a biography (focused mainly on his sculptural work)
Joe Brown's work quite obviously forms the basis for the tensile climbing structures commercially available today.
I love the idea of a boxer, understanding the concept of play, as well as sculpture, and finally, teaching at Princeton -- what a fascinating anomaly of links. While one might define itself as having something on the concept of dance and concentration, it's hardly something one would equate with play. This is a cool blog. Great to learn about. thanks! Tim Girvin
ReplyDeleteHere's where I am: girvin@girvin.com / blog: http://blog.girvin.com/
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