Exercise 1: Mapping Connections And Influences

For this task we were asked to reflecting on the previous exercise, and answer the below questions.

• What germinations of your own (to reference Akomfrah) might you name, describe or visualise?  

'Germinations' the process of bringing things into existence.

1. Personal memories, experiences, and traumas

   Early memories, conscious thoughts and feelings, historical and current environments, atmospheres and influences, and dreams as a consequence of trauma.

2. History Collective histories from friends and family, ancestors and heritage. Cultural histories, including beliefs, gestures, exile and belonging etc. Histories which are part of my identity that I didn't consciously choose.

3. Psychodynamic Relationships Unconcious patterns, love, sadness, self sabotage, possible exploration into mental health. Parental dynamics and transference - emotional imprints carried on. Archetypes, the child, the abuser, the healer, the shadow, the light.

4. Colours and Symbols Ancient languages, the use of colours and symbols, their meaning then vs now. Cultural associations to colours (mourning, celebrations, protection). Focusing on which colours I associate with, which feel like home, which feel like trauma. Colours which represent warmth, memory, healing etc. Combine colour and symbols from dreams, waking life, memories, ect.

5. Trauma and Healing Wounds, and the instinct to survive/heal. Emotional and physical injuries. Textures, sounds, smells and visuals that sooth the nervous system.

6. Aesthetics and Influences Exploring artistic DNAs - artists, films, sounds, music, moods, surrealism, dreams, minimalism, chaos, calm, colours, lights, darkness, what feels native to me, painting, drawing, photography.

• What do you read, look at, watch, listen, and gather that feeds and stimulates your material and conceptual inquiries? Where might each of these sit, or fit within your lists, or set of points? 1. Autoethnography, memories, experiences Family photos, videos Interviews, letters, poems, journals, dreams Artwork, music, creative outputs Objects, sentimental, triggering
  

  2. Psychodynamics Psychotherapists - studies, articles, books Podcasts - The Emerald, On Being, The Trauma Therapist

  Other peoples stories, from start to finish. Cultural shifts in mental health, diagnosis and treatments 3. Colour/Symbolism Colour handbook The Secret Lives of Colour Podcast The Art of Colour A Natural History of the Palette Sounds - ambient and ritualistic

  Mythology, symbolism, ancient languages Flowers, birthstones, patterns, lightness, darkness, shadows.
  

  4. Post colonial and Diasporic Aesthetics Artists, which explore colonization, migration, cultures, time, and emotional states.
  

  5. Forms Other artists, photographers, videographers. Therapists, therapies.

  Places, landscapes, soundscapes. Music, poems, songs, lyrics.

DO MORE OF	DO LESS OF
Journaling, emotions, experiences, dreams.	Over complicating tasks, avoiding tasks.
Collaboration, interviews, perspectives, restricting movements so I don't loose focus.	Poor time management, underestimating research and its powers.
Research, planning, reflections, step out of comfort zone.	Staying within the lines of which I am comfortable.

Which aspects are at the epicentre of your practice, and which ones might feel tertiary, or tangential?  

Epicentre - Trauma, Healing, Colour

Tertiary or Tangential - Historical narratives, symbolism, dreams, self expression, surrealism, cultural narratives, myths and beliefs.

Diagrams -

Below are two diagrams I have out together in order to demonstrate how I would visually and textually map out responses and plan central themes and responses.

Project pathway

1. Defining my core intention Working through personal traumas/experiences and healing. Exploring ancestral histories and historical and cultural influences, using memories, and juxtaposing these with dreams and alternate realities, using colours, symbols and eventually re-imaging trauma as healing.

2. Building a research archive

   Archiving and collection memories, personal and collective. Research in psychodynamics. Dream journals, dates, numbers. Films and artwork, rhythm, patterns. Photography, portraiture, colours, quotes, poems, songs, music, landscapes, environments and places.

3. Connections Observe and establish connections and where these elements and zones intertwine and seperate. Create visual connections and diagrams.

4. Choosing creative forms Exploration on different forms, styles, aesthetics, mediums.

5. Developing and finalising

   Begin experimenting with materials to create and build form, connecting fragments and zones, such as interviews, portraits, videos, textures, how it will be shared and experienced, observing and noting new germinations and reflecting.