Calendars:Networked Media Calendar/Networked Media Calendar/15-01-2020 -Event 1

XPUB2: Circular polyptych with Book Midwives 11:00-16:00 [downstairs in 3.320]

BEFORE CLASS
Select 40 images that relate to your research or show progress on your work. Print each image on 1 A4, one-sided. Bring the printouts to class

POLYPTYCH INSTRUCTIONS
(Inspired by classroom exercises of Sami Hammana)
Etherpad for the day: https://pad.xpub.nl/p/POLYPTYCH

STEP 1 Timestamp: 15 min 1100–1115h Each participant picks a corner of the room and lays out their images on the floor. We take about 15 minutes for each person to organize the images according to their own way of understanding the nodes/themes in their research. The associations are totally free, the participant can make their own system. They should take notes on Etherpad and record the main themes and their meanings. A picture should be taken to record the initial formation.

STEP 2 Timestamp: 30 min each, 4 hours total for 8 students
Person 1 1115-1145h
Person 2 1145-1215h
Person 3 1215-1245h
LUNCH 1245-1315h
Person 4 1315-1345h
Person 5 1345-1415h
Person 6 1415-1445h
BREAK 1445-1500h
Person 7 1500-1530h
Person 8 1530-1600h

As a group, the class goes from polyptych to polyptych. The owner of each polyptych takes time to explain why the images are laid out in any particular format. After each polyptych is explained by its owner, the group takes time to discuss what they see in the formation, possibly even rearranging the images to form new connections. Notes should be taken by one of the facilitators on a screen that is visible to all (Etherpad). A picture of the final formation should be taken.

GUIDE QUESTIONS
Where is your research at the moment?
Where is the project going?
What are the strongest nodes/themes?
How do all the themes connect with each other?
What are you struggling with (thematically)?
What are the dead ends?
Are there any new connections that can be made?

STEP 3 Timestamp: 1h; 45min for visualizing web: 15min for expanding keywords into sentences
PART 1
At the end of each individual discussion, each person stands in front of their polyptych, forming a loose circle around the room. The participants are given a set of materials for visualizing connection (yarn, tape, etc). They should come up with their own way of forming a web that connects their research ideas. It is important that this form of visualizing connection also incorporates conversation and discussion in a group. So it is as much about audibility (allowing ideas/voices to be heard) as it is about visibility. A set of common themes/keywords should be identified and recorded on the Etherpad. In this way, they begin to visualize and discuss how their projects are editorially connected and taking up a common space (taking up actual, physical space in a room--precursor to their exhibition and publication).

PART 2
Once the participants agree on and record a common set of vital keywords, they should individually or as a group (depends on the participants) turn these keywords into a fully written sentence or paragraph. This exercise is a first step towards coming up with a joint exhibition/project statement.