The making process: Principle 6 Reflecting on making
Principle 6: Art for Action focuses on the process of making, as well as the final outcome and the impact of the artivism on others.
In making an artistic response to climate change, drawing on local knowledge, heritage and languages, the decision processes and discussions during making will be as important as the final exhibit item. Capturing the making process could be done through a series of reflection points where members of the creative group stop to write something down, make a short video or audio recording or create a photo journal, where a member of the group could be tasked with taking photos and adding brief notes about what it shows. Key questions they could respond to may include, what have you decided about your art? why? what do you hope the audience response will be?
In addition, the making group will be encouraged to add a brief description and reflection on their final exhibition artefact that they have created. This accompanying text will be used to stimulate those who engage with it in the exhibition to consider the arguments, concerns or solutions being shared.
Thinking about what would be needed practically for this will need to be a consideration, as well as getting consent/assent in place for what could and should not be collected and how it will later be shared.
Reflection: How will the young people capture the making process?
- How can reflection points or journaling take place within the making process? Will there be set points to respond or will the young people judge when to take time to note their process?
- What equipment / resources will be needed for the young people to note their processes?
- How will you or the event leader collate the responses after the making process in order to share them with the research team?
- What process could you use to collate making groups final descriptions, comments and / or reflections to accompany the artefact in the exhibition? What rules of anonymity would be needed in relation to this writing?
On the next page you will consider Art for Action principle 7 and implications for your planning.