Part of the purpose of this blog is to create public accountability for myself. I need all kinds of support to make this actually happen, but given that I am still in the planning stages, I need brainstorming and networking help. Putting this on the internet means I cannot let this idea of mine idle away. I have lots of free time coming up. I am a stage manager by trade, and also work in the theatre business as my "support job." No show this month!
Here are my goals for December:
- Finish my proposal
- Come up with at least two subjects I could use to connect and explore my chosen communities.
- Tell other artists, friends, and family about this blog and encourage them to ask me questions and contribute the process. I love collaboration.
Without further ado, here is my proposal as it stands right now! I took out references to specific artist names and locations to protect privacy.
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"Using Art and Performance to Combat Casual Negativity with Young Women"
Background/Why: Whether it comes from the media, pop culture, their peers or something inside, casual negativity and self-deprecating comments around young women are very common. In an age when young women are told they can be whatever they want to be, we still find ourselves in a judgmental society that encourages women to feel inadequate. Allowing this to continue results in a reinforced negative environment.
Doing this project in two locations simultaneously accomplishes many goals. First of all, it allows women of different cultures to learn from each other. It also allows for a richer collaborative experience by introducing different metaphors, ways of creative expression and more. In connecting these two groups, one can also start a global campaign to foster environments where women love and accept themselves.
Aims & Objectives: My aim is to use both visual art and performance to explore the theme of casual negativity and how to foster a healthy body image of oneself. I want to broaden myself in using visual art because it allows a larger group of women to be involved in the final project. If someone cannot commit to the entire workshop, then they can leave behind a piece of art, or contribute to a group mural, in order to have their words and stories represented.
Justification: In America, there are countless examples of popular print and digital publications that focus on a women's body, and the way it should be. From the tabloids who cover who has the best beach body, and likewise, who has the worst, to fashion magazines whose models are rail thin, this portrayal of women, and the judgemental attitude that oftentimes accompanies it, aids in promoting negative self esteem in young girls.
There are exceptions of course. More Magazine focuses more on “plus-size” women. Their content, including advertisments, showcases a wide variety of women's bodies. The company Dove has had a regular ad campaign featuring women of many ethnicities and sizes.
The goal of this project is not to attack the media for how it portrays women. However, it does have a profound impact on how young women view themselves.
Methodology: There are three main artistic components of this project: visual art installations, such as murals, movement work and collaborative writing. Using tool such as cultural mapping, exploring the respective communities in a visual way and general questions, participants will have the opportunity to be part of the final product no matter how much they can commit to the project. Some of these exercises come from the methodology of Cornerstone Theatre Company, a community-based theatre company in Los Angeles, California. Other exercises will be derived from brainstorming sessions with other artists.
Target Group/Lab Site: There are two lab sites: a community center of sorts in Simi Valley, California, which is to be determined and a site in Ghana, which is also to be determined.
We are targeting young women ages 12-18. I want to use a wider age range so that we can get more stories represented, and also have an opportunity for the younger women to learn from the older, and vice versa.
Hypothesis: Participants in this workshop will gain tools to not only curb casual negativity within themselves, but also how to encourage other people to make similar choices.
Expected Outcome: Not completed at this moment!
Budget: Budget will depend on the community partners in Simi Valley, and the resources that both lab sites can can offer. Note: This will be much more fleshed out in the next month. I need to be very specific about what my needs are, and how I will attain them.
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Please give your thoughts in the comments. This proposal is so rough it's ridiculous. Right now, I need specific guidance on subject ideas.
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