We started the workshop for the first time as artists, provided materials and tools for participants, put forward their own rules of the game and let them develop their imagination by themselves. The temperature dropped sharply this day, and the weather was extremely cold, but the workshop was not affected and went really successfully!!!
After arriving at ESW, everyone has already started to prepare, and the bashos are helping each other to set up and arrange the place. I was still completing the last materials and getting familiar with the introductory words. I was actually quite worried, but Prof. Neil came over to help me with the table and chairs, and asked me if I was ready, his kind voice made me feel more at ease, and Teacher Debi kept smiling at me and encouraging me, which gradually made me become more positive.
Due to the schedule that my workshop began late at 12:30, many people didn’t see my workshop had already been prepared as the other events had not yet finished. Due to the schedule that my workshop began at the last hour of 12:30, many people didn’t see my workshop had already started as the other events had not yet finished. Many of them didn’t see that my workshop had started. However, Debi noticed that it was my turn and called her colleagues and other students who had just finished their activities to come and join my workshop. Fortunately, My event went surprisingly well.
My theme was Falling into the Network world.It’s only 15 minutes long and contains 5 stages of episodes. I was really nervous and stammered, but thanks to a familiarisation session before I started, I did much better than in the rehearsal. The participants included two undergraduate students, two blue basho members and two workshop teachers. They made some really great surreal artworks with a bunch of strange materials I had prepared, such as tinfoil, wool and clips.
At the end of the production, I invited them to share their ideas and inspirations, which made me aware of how different everyone’s mind was, far beyond my original expectation, and I was amazed by their rich imagination. I was impressed by Ms Debi’s work, which was 15 minutes long and set in 5 chapters.I was really nervous and stammered, but thanks to a familiarisation session before I started, I did much better than in the rehearsal.
The participants included two undergraduate students, two blue basho members and two workshop teachers. They made some really great surreal artworks with a bunch of strange materials I had prepared, such as tinfoil, wool and clips. At the end of the production, I invited them to share their ideas and inspirations, which made me aware of how different everyone’s mind was, far beyond my original plan, and I was amazed by their rich imagination.
I was impressed by Debi’s work, she wrote a lot of Don’t fall! on translucent paper to remind herself not to lose consciousness in the mysterious and unpredictable world of the internet. Moreover, she made an emoji “:)” with strings and the smiley face will turn into “:(” when the door opens, I really like her cute idea. Besides, Chris made a running people and funny hole with wool which made our conversation more interesting.
At the end of the event, Debi and most of the other participants even gave me their artworks, which was such a surprise! I put them up on my bedroom wall, lovely gifts of my first time as an artist. I can also imagine how exciting the curating event will be in the future.
Before I left I told Debi that I hadn’t been perfect, but she and another teacher were both cheering me up and praising me for my creative ideas of laser paper and other amazing materials, especially the time limit, a good way to inspire people to make surprising work with a first reaction.
In conclusion, I have gained a lot from all this. All of these things have taught me a lot and I will try to prepare as well as I possibly can before the next event, rather than making gloomy assumptions, as well as stay more confident and let the participants enjoy themselves in the best ways they can.
