Mind in Making
Project Brief
There is something about using my hands that connects me more to my work and pushes me in new directions. As a child too, getting creative with different crafts was something I enjoyed. This creative space has a huge impact on me and maybe this is something I should unfold to understand better. Different materials make us feel differently, and how these feelings can be used in our favor to make it into something better is the question.
Objective
Research Methadology
Self-reflection is an important part of this inquire. I need to look back to understand that how different material making made me feel and how it helped me in my works. Mapping different experiences and thoughts will help me look at in how many ways can making affect us. Documenting and journaling those experience will also help me in understanding the process of making.
Secondary research includes journal papers, articles, blogs on artistic leadership and effects of making on mind. Going through secondary research and connecting it to my experiences make the inquiry stronger and gives it a direction. Understanding other makers views on the subject expands the knowledge. It will also be a way of collecting data to put it to use for my output. Also studying the cognitive development of one and mental connection with making is a part of exploring the question.
For my primary research, I plan on talking to a few makers for their views on making and understanding the impact of making on their work. Creativity is different for all people, and conversations with a few makers will support my inquiry in terms of the power making has on one. This will also connect me to their experiences and I may find a pattern.
Personal Documentation
The decision of choosing to weave for my personal documentation is that it is a skill that I recently acquired and fell in love with. And through weaving, I wish to convey the different experiences I have while making with my hand. I will be exploring different patterns and forms and these forms will illustrate meaning in making. Also, the motivation to weave gets me inspired and work more toward my inquiry.
The pattern represents my understanding of the interconnection between the mind and the hands. They both play an equal role in our making processes, The hand has a mind of its own and this can be connected to our brain through the senses
The symphony between the mind and the hand while making has a calming and therapeutic effect on me. The pattern is an interlock between this calming and happy feeling.
New explorations sometimes don’t turn out the way you want them to even after extensive efforts. But explorations are as important to gain new learnings in the process and getting new directions
Sometimes it’s best to stick to your practice and grow more in it. It also opens up the opportunity to try different things using the same method. This way your confidence is boosted and the making does not stop.
Failures are a part of exploring and trying new things. Not being able to achieve the desired outcome that can bring up feelings of disappointment and frustration. Here, it is important to understand the material characteristics first and then proceed
The aesthetic appeal of the output is always rewarding and pleasing. One aspect of the motivation to make with your hands is to see it grow beautifully
Future Goals
The inquiry is a start in exploring the space of making with hands. For continuing my work in this space, I wish to learn more about the sensorial experience and mind connection. Defining experience can also be a bigger aspect of the inquiry. It is also crucial to read and explore the Indian context in making with hands. Understanding how Indian craftsmen use making will push the inquiry into a new space. Further, the bigger question of how our learning is shaped through making can be answered in the context of education. The project has a long-term scope to go deeper into this topic. Also, encountering more different material making and explorations in making will be a personal documentation goal.