What makes a creative democratic workshop with people? I often contradict myself in having planned the objects and materials I bring to a group against wanting to facilitate an open-ended experience. How can you get this balance so people are unrestricted in the way they use materials? Last week I had presented apple slices and cocktail sticks and what happened was pure pleasure to observe. Two participants inspired each other and totally unprompted by myself. Why am I there? Is it to simply present materials and become invisible? Can you be an invisible artist? And if so what is your role? I find by providing space and silences things sometimes happen in very imaginative ways….
The title for this blog
‘music playing paper whisk’
was created by one of the group using Dada technique. It also sums up for me the mix of materials, tools and fun had on the project.
I made the birds to present quotes I collected throughout the project. There are six birds – representing ideas of change, exploration, future and emotions.
This was a 10 week project exploring work placements for pupils with ‘complex needs’ before they leave school. It was observed that given the right environment everyone can participate.
Light Sculptures from shiny things
This project is a series of two-hour workshops with different groups of children and adults run by Flexi-care. They have been collecting materials and making sculptures from their favourite things or spontaneous ideas.
I passed around some of my favorite things I collect and received some wonderful responses..
‘treasure’
‘shiny’
‘a rock’
‘sweet’
‘you can’t eat it’
‘a vase’
‘crunchie’
‘a scrunchie’
‘green & purple’
‘very bright’
‘science around here’
‘tools in a box’
‘broken statue’
‘necklace’
‘rocket’
“the accident, which eludes the laws of reason, is seen by Arp to be the key to life and creation. Chance is the spearhead in an attack against reason”.
I love researching and finding a sentence that sums up what you have been thinking. When working with people with sensory impairments it is natural to start thinking in a new way and questioning what an experience is for each participant. I seen some parallels with the Dada movement and my practice with people such as to question the order of perception and taste. I co-designed and ran a one day event called Get Lost which played an audio Dada poem and ran a taster workshop.
To hear the audio Dada poem 189:
www.sea-projects.org.uk/189.mp3
Get Lost
www.getlost2010.wordpress.com
