Experiencing bell hooks All about Love reading where she says, “For example, revolutionary new technologies have led us all to accept computers. Our willingness to embrace this “unknown” shows that we are all capable of confronting fears of radical change, that we can cope.” Her words came with such power, I created a vivid response called a Love + Ethic Manifesto. I am drawn to the notion of change and the constant restructuring of how we operate as human beings through interactions and causes. I am searching for radical change step by step inside my thinking structure and outside of my internal state.
Next came…
Building on Care + Well-being + Ethics
During this course, I read three books that have forever changed my thinking structure: Matters of Care by Maria Puig De La Bellacasa, All about Love by bell hooks, and Art of Relevance by Nina Simon. What does care mean? How do we care? What are the staples of the caring movement? How are we ethically caring? How do we perform well-being? When using a GoPro what actions of care am I capturing? Also, what kinds of care are accessible?
Where do I begin? Maria Puig De La Bellacasa’s Matters of Care: Speculative Ethics in More Than Human Worlds. Bellacasa says, “Care is a human trouble, but this does not make of care a human only matter” (Bellacasa 2017, 2). Bellacasa uses Toronto’s definition, “care about” vs. “care for” as a means to situate the dimensions of care into effect for aligning with the ethical and political questions that arise per this poignant matter. I realized I was not going to be able to fulfill this project by dropping in and recording with my GoPros. There was much more of myself that I would have to offer to understand this approach and community. I wanted to absorb the community, be present, be still with my observations, and trust the work would develop.
Some key developments:
Being fully present
Actively Listening
Touch (assist a child or elderly navigate space)
Eye Contact
Engaging in a complete conversation, before changing focus.
Smiles and laughing.
Important Quotes:
“I believe relevance unlocks new ways to build deep connections with people who don’t immediately self-identify with our work” (Simon 2016, 23).
“The sooner we start focusing on becoming relevant to the people we most care about “and “Relevance is relative, and people are busy”, not only approaches the word “care” we were just analyzing but reference something other than yourself or desire (Simon 41-42).
“When we see love as a combination of trust, commitment, care, respect, knowledge, and responsibility, we can work on developing these qualities or, if they are already a part of who we are, we can learn to extend them to ourselves” (Hooks 2001, 54).
Champion Intergenerational Center
This part of my journey hits will full force and I still am unable to move past how deeply I am affected by the human beings in this community. I find myself drawn to the energy and goodness that seeps into the foundation of this center. The community is full of bright lights, Elders and Youths, energized, thoughtful, and ready to share at any moment.
Here is where I needed to approach with the Love Ethic Hooks suggests, “A love ethic presupposes that everyone has the right to be free, to live fully and well.” (hooks 2001). How was I going to approach the people, room, and environments I entered? I started by visiting and being a part of the Sign Language Intergenerational class. I made myself available for interactions and conversations. I did not introduce technology into space for a couple of visits. I participated and was present. How would sign language become a part of the sessions and recordings? Would the technology distract? Then when I introduced technology I wore the GoPros and did not live film. Making sure I was available for any interactions and questions the community of elders and children might have.
“To live our lives based on the principles of a love ethic (showing care, respect, knowledge, integrity, and the will to cooperate), we have to be courageous” (Hooks 101).
Over my time there the visits, interactions, ways of filming, and containers for footage have shifted drastically. Eventually, many different ages were wearing and capturing footage, Elizabeth Speidel the director was wearing the GoPros and interacting with the community, and I was set up to teach my session with the IG community about GoPro’s, Care, and love rituals. Thinking about the love ethics and love rituals that are primary in this experience, and reflect the care that happens in this community. We will also bring in our superhero movements to give energy to the room and spark creativity.
When I think about this work I am currently reflecting on my traces and the artist mantras that I created along the way to support the daily intake of information. These tiny mantras have supported me when I am too tired or unsure of what is next.
Artist Mantra
Don’t lose hope.
Do the work.
There is much to be done.
With Love…
Radicalize the space.
Listen actively.
Love accepts.
The challenge is to think collectively.
Think more about equality and equity.
Who are the love ethic heroes?
We are not alone.
Being an artist keeps me sane.
There is more to be done.
I am constantly rebelling – it’s ok.
Be free to do the work.
Being an artist defies reality.
I have permission to make what I want to make.
I am constantly changing.
Next & Final Phase:
I still have a session this Wednesday with CI to deepen the footage and love ritual perspectives and will have a compiled video of edited material by the end of the week that culminates my time there. This last video should run at 6-8 minutes in reality but my end target is 10 minutes. Consent has been a consideration and something to hold care around. Also, just letting the community shape the narrative of the footage each session has become relevant.
Editing will be done through my final artistic perspective on the work framed by the community at Champion Intergenerational Center to celebrate their daily heroics and the environment of care they share. Sign Language has also come up as the sessions are around this and we have talked about weaving heros and sign language themes.
Looking forward to sharing this footage with them, and seeing their reactions when they see themselves on the TV. The celebration of their daily, caregiving, experience, and community witnessed.
Many thanks to all of the community involved in this project. This research is made possible by Norah Zuniga-Shaw, Humane Technologies Fellowship, Elizabeth Speidel Champion Intergeneration Center Community, and Research Studies peers.
Citation Station:
Bellacasa, María Puig de la. 2017. Matters of Care: Speculative Ethics in More Than Human Worlds. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.
hooks, bell. 2001. All about love: new visions. New York: Harper Perennial.
Simon, Nina. 2016. The art of relevance. Santa Cruz, CA: Museum 2.0
©LROD
