Unit 2: What remains?

Strongest memory from U2 – a moment from class that remains in your mind? 

• One of the most memorable discussions for me was around positionality. We were looking at a way of mapping identity characteristics and this prompted a conversation about how the boundaries around these characteristics shift between countries. We talked about ideas of class (how this relates to economics, expressions of taste, politics, education, family, housing, work, etc), and about sexuality and relationships. It prompted me to reflect on my experiences monitoring protected characteristics within the context of publicly funded art projects in the UK, which I wrote about on my blog. 

What readings/materials had the biggest impact on you, do you remember best and why? (Either from the course reading or that you found yourself prompted by the course)

• Resma Menakem, Notice the rage; Notice the silence – an interview, recorded as part of the On Being series with Krista Tippett, on racial embodied trauma. It felt like it turned up my consciousness around the connection between mind and body. That we hold knowledge in our bodies; that we look to our bodies for information and this affects how we interact with the world; that we communicate information with our bodies; and that to bring about change in society we need to bring about change in how we feel within our bodies. It shifted some of my ways of thinking and left me with a lot of questions. 

Were there any moments that ‘caught’, where you felt friction, felt personally challenged or like you learnt something, grew or changed?

• A conflict occurred within the cohort’s group chat this term after one student felt another had expressed racist views during class. I felt personally challenged about how to respond and how to act within the group to contribute to mending the rift and creating a positive and productive space for everyone going forward. It prompted me to think more about how we communicate in these group settings, which we discussed while developing an Ethics code for our cohort. I’m left with questions about how institutional practices can help or hinder interpersonal communication.
• I had some health challenges towards the end of this term, which made completing my assignments challenging. It raised feelings of failure, weakness and shame for me, but prompted me to reflect on my feelings around sickness and my own fallibility, which has been helpful.

Has anything happened outside of the course that wouldn’t have happened if you weren’t enrolled in MAIP?

• The materials exchange has taken me on some adventures – visiting the town public library to research local history; visiting archaeological sites; and observing and documenting signs, symbols and aesthetics around me. It’s prompted some interesting conversations with friends and family, particularly in relation to spiritual practices and methods for connecting with the subconscious. 

What skills or knowledge do you feel you’ve developed this term? 

• Around self-reflection and reflexivity. The map felt a bit like an extension of last term’s video work, but this time focused on my practice/work and on trying to relate it to the practices of my peers. The process of preparing my presentation was quite rushed but it was a really interesting (and intense) challenge to try and identify and track back my own perspective on Milana’s project. I feel like I’m starting to observe some patterns and areas of interest for me. 
• Awareness around creating open, productive, communicative spaces in online group environments, and building trust and cohesion.
• Technical skills in print production and design, particularly around mapping and visualising complex information.

What lessons have you learned from your peers this term? 

• Collaborating with Milana for the material exchange this term, I learned about her Russian cultural heritage, Siberian shamanism and Southeast Asian rituals and practices. Observing her process prompted me to develop my thinking around the relationship between ritual and performance, as I reflected in my presentation. Engaging with Milana’s practice also informed my own exchange project this term and has pushed me to think more about the nuanced role belief systems play in how we relate to one another.
• I was inspired by many of my peers this term, particularly the creative freedom and imagination they brought to their maps and exchange projects. They’re teaching me to loosen my ties to the brief and to think more about what really interests me. I loved the confident simplicity of Makha and Sarah’s video works for their exchange projects, and of Lilia’s map submission.