The Tire Swing Project

Art project reminds CMC student of the importance of play

This article first published in CMC student Bailey Peth’s blog, Bluebird Sky

Music, Joyful Sound: The String Cheese Incident

A few nights ago I gathered with about fifteen other people to participate in a nationwide art project. Thanks to the generosity of several foundations we were lucky enough to have over 100 tires and over 100 ropes donated to our project. And so splitting into teams we set out in down town Denver to hang tire swings in unexpected places.

Our mission: to encourage people to slow down and play.

The sky was clear and dark, and the air was becoming crisp as we gathered to receive our instructions.  By the time we set out with tires under arm and ropes in hand each breath was visible in the night air. Our group split into teams and we went our separate ways. Several minutes later found my friend Simon and I standing under a bridge, giggling like school girls as we played on our newly erected tire swing. I felt a surge of joy and contentment wash over me.

We ran from location to location, hanging up our swings and trying not to be seen, and also fighting to not be overcome by our laughter.

This type of playing is good for the soul.

I remember the day when ‘playing’ became uncool. Instead of playing together, my friends and I started ‘hanging-out’. Our activities didn’t really change overnight but the terminology and most importantly our attitude changed. Now playing was not the cool thing to do. I think this happens to everyone at some point in their life, however we should fight to avoid it. Playing is exercise for the soul, and for the body.

It is a way to relax without sitting around on your but and getting fat.
It reminds us not to take ourselves so seriously; to enjoy our lives.

This life is truly not worth living unless it is enjoyed. As far as I am concerned, whether there is more after this life or not, this is still the only time you are allotted on this magnificent planet. It is therefore the responsibility of each individual to ensure that their time here is happy.  The best way I know of to be happy is to play. Through play we form relationships with other people and with our place. Both people and the environment benefit deeply from these relationships. Play also allows us to connect with our own souls more deeply and awakens an innocence that normally eludes those over the age of ten.

I am not saying that adults do not play. However our play consist of going to concerts, snowboarding, skiing, river rafting, hiking, biking, fishing or similar activities. However, these lack the sheer joy of laughing and playing like children.

The only reason I’ve been able to come up with as to why people who live in the mountains are so happy and friendly is because we are all so obsessed with our play. We choose to live in little communities hours from the city, all so we are closer to our play ground.

But even people obsessed with playing fail to stop and really play like children. Laughing, running, jumping, being silly, all in order to remember a little bit of the sheer bliss of childhood.
This type of play is what we should all be doing.

Get down in the dirt and make some mud pies, stomp in some puddles, and swing on the swings.

You just might like it.