Fairy tales represent one of the most imbibing and significant genres in the history of children’s narrative storytelling and arguably the development of their imagination. They potentially enable the writer, reader and listener to elicit otherwise overtly challenging yet fundamental emotions in a safe creative world, fuelled by the creative language of images and drama. This art project seeks to build on this ancient tradition, bringing it to a new audience using the most up to date and innovative arts practices. It may even prove to be of great value in promoting the resilience and diversity of the genre.
Perhaps one of the most poignant and thought provoking themes of any fairy tale is the portrayal of the monster and how that reflects on the fears for a child, particularly those of growing into adulthood. A universal character in such stories and one easily engaged with is that of the Yeti. The Yeti symbolises to us wildness and fear, or the real danger of being attacked, if we are lost or abandoned. Yet the imaginative (or is it?) creature also presents a mixed background picture, one of being misunderstood, showing potential care or enduring enforced isolation, surely mysterious and possibly latent humanly characteristics. It is because of such firm narrative foundations, which are both inspiring and evocative to the creative mind, that the participants of Hunting for Fairy Tales of the Yeti will be confident in building a multiplicity of new adventures and discovery.