Seed Beds – The Process Page
While developing this project I have been aware that with every step I go deeper into a process. The process is Thinking through Making The process has become a practical pedagogical tool
Identify and establish the limitations
Select a few ingredients
Establish a rule or set of rules
Organise and prepare the work area
Have some tools, props, materials to hand
Have enough time
Do not spend any time searching for an idea
The starting point is not an idea
The starting point is irrelevant
Start by fiddling with something, anything
Let energy generate momentum
Work with energy only
Your brain will want to help, let it help but don’t allow it to interfere, never allow it to lead
Strive for momentum
Strive for what feels good
Keep doing whatever feels good
Focus only on how it feels
Perfect the feeling
Perfect the doing – do it well – not badly, clumsily, sloppily or lazily
The momentum will subside
When it does – stop
Look at what you have done
Does it make you laugh, cry, dance, howl…?
Does it feel risky, dangerous and uncomfortable?
You are somewhere new
Enjoy not knowing where you are
Enjoy being lost
Repeat the same thing – the action, the rule, the process
Add something new
Don’t judge the process
Don’t judge what is evolving
Reflect lightly not deeply
Keep everything light
Keep moving
Repeat
Repeat
Repeat
At some point you will know when it is time to stop, step back and look at what is emerging
Identify a similarity, a constant or a pattern
Notice what has grown stronger and deeper than other things
Don’t judge it
Allow it
Dig into it
Explore it
Wander into it
At some point it will lead
Let it lead you
You don’t get to chose it, it choses you
Follow it
Keep following it
With care, precision, exactness, respect and loyalty
Find meaning
Make meaning
Find connections
Make connections
You have a practice
Keep practicing it
Let curiosity lead
Imagine the thing in your dream gallery, space, event…