This past month, we have been knee-deep in a group project (our first since the course started) where we are co-designing an outdoor play sculpture with children and youth in Kiruna (the northernmost city in Sweden where the sun never sets for 47 days in summer).
The start of a project usually involves a lot of research, observations, and discussions. Since we have not worked together in a group like this before, it isn’t surprising that our discussions often seem to go on a loop. We decide on one thing and then, a few moments later, question whether it is heading in the right direction.
We often hear the saying ‘thinking by doing/making,’ and even though I believe that with my whole body, sometimes it is still tough to start. How could I start making if I don’t know what I want to make?
But then we force ourselves to gather materials from various recycling bins in school and try.
We set a timer. “Make something to help you walk in a different way”. 5 mintues. Let’s begin.
Then we discuss and we try again. “Make an explorer station without communicating with the group”. 10 minutes. Let’s begin.
It was good to get moving and making after sitting for a while, but I have to say, sometimes the thing you make just ends up looking like trash, even if you have the most fantastic rationale for it in your head.
The creative process is truly humbling.
Thank you for reading! May all your thinking and doing humble and inspire you 🕯️
This month’s play-list:
Seeing the amount of marine traffic on our tiny island is wild.
Bookpecker–a summary of books in 5 bullet points
NearbyWiki–discover your neighbourhood thru wiki pages!