Reflection of the workshop "making with others"

On Sunday, 25th January, I conducted a workshop titled Making with “others”. The purpose of the workshop is to explore how to collaborate with more-than-human beings. The idea of this workshop came from the course my partner took at Oulu University. I became interested in this concept last year and am eager to apply it to my artistic practice. As a painter, I have been making the works to depict them, but not collaborate with them.

Parasta Lapsille Oulu offered the workshop opportunity. 

Review of the workshop

I was surprised by how participants took it well. They understood what I wanted to do, even though I was not sure what I was supposed to do. I got the impression that they are genuinely interested in the topic and enjoyed the process. 

My concern was the unfamiliarity with the topic. However, participants understood quite smoothly. Showing the examples might have made them understand more easily

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During the workshop, there were many things that surprised and inspired me. 

One person used breath to melt the snow and draw on it. I have never thought of this method, and this genuinely amused me. She is an artist herself. Another participant associated traces of animals with her childhood memory and made poems. Other participants have made their unique artworks.