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Exhibition

amweiner's picture

One idea that I discussed in class had to do with audience participation. I would love to have a lab notebook out on some kind of pedistal with a sign encouraging people to sign, draw, write, and reflect in it. In doing this, they are becoming a part of the project with us. They are beginning the same journey. I think that this would have so much meaning because, in reality, what good is this class if we can't share what we have done? So, we have an exhibition to show people. But, what good is an exhibition if the people are not a part of it? Everyone in class talked about A Fierce Kind of Love and the power that there was in breaking down the third and fourth walls. Allowing us to interact with out audience is important, but what about allowing them to interact with us? 

It wouldn't be right if we just presented what we have done and what we now hold to be true without opening the door for an ongoing dialogue. There will always be more questions and perspectives and hopefully a reflection like this can allow audiences to join us as we ask those questions and maybe even help us find some answers. Furthermore, the notebook would allow for many forms of communication--not just written. There is accesibility in liberation from normative communicative measures. People don't have to speak or write. Instead, they can draw or sketch. Regardless of the outcome, I thinkt that it would be so powerful to give audiences an opportunity to share their own reflections and interact with us.

To further that idea, it may be cool to have a video log component. For us and any interested CCW members, we can record 10 second clips of what this expereince has meant to us. Whether it is a single word, or a few sentences, any reflection would be welcomed. We can put these in a log and have a computer at the pedistal that has the lab notebook so any people who come to the exhibit can alse share reflections through a quick video. Maybe at the end, we can compile the videos and create our own multimedia reflection archive.

Clearly, I am interested in how the audience will interact with the exhibit and how we can capture that interaction. Another idea, that is much more far fetched at the moment, would be to try and have some blank space and some art supplies where we can start a piece and everyone, participants and audience members, can add to it as they come through. I think that it would be amazing if people left feeling as though they contributed to the exhibit just by being there. I imagine it starting out as a few lines or a silouette and then each person adding on to it to make it something totally new. The original artists will have to surrender control and trust those around them. 

These are my three current ideas (presented in order from most feasible to least) and I would love to get more feedback from all of you!