A Place Where [Family] Life Takes Shape,
Authored by Dr. Jennifer Andersen and commissioned by Threshold, this report examines the impact and design of Rainhouse - a relational installation experience for families with children aged 0–5. Presented at ArtPlay in Melbourne from August 2024 to June 2025, Rainhouse was created by artists Zoë Barry, Liz Francis, Nikita Hederics, and Sarah Lockwood as an evolution of the earlier theatrical work RAIN: for babies and their carers.
The report explores how the installation’s design - including soft materials, a calming soundscape, open-ended play elements, and attentive staff support - fostered connection, calm, and creativity among families.
'To lie on soft, generous cushions, gazing up through gently lit, swaying threads of cotton, while tuning into the sound of an approaching storm, is to be enveloped in a world of sensation.'
Through observations, interviews, and narratives, the study identifies key qualities of successful relational arts experiences: safety, accessibility, invitation, sensory richness, and care for transitional moments. It also highlights the role of staff in enhancing the experience and the broader implications for cultural venues seeking to create meaningful, family-centered spaces.
The report concludes with insights into the demand for such experiences, their benefits for both families and venues, and the potential to reframe interactive art as relational, prioritizing emotional and social connection over structured activities.
In 2024, Liz Francis, Nikita Hederics, Zoë Barry and Sarah Lockwood have responded and reflected on Rain: the performance installation and re-imagined it for ArtPlay’s gallery space.
Rainhouse is produced by Threshold, an Australian company who create experiences that invite people to connect more deeply with each other.
‘This special place is a pause.
Just a little breath.
A little meditation, if you will, from the outside.’
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Liz Francis
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Nikita Hederics
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Zoë Barry
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Sarah Lockwood
