weaving Voices 01.04.2025 issuu - Flipbook - Page 68
Weavers and threads
individuals and their practices, weaving together
The weavers and the threads they bring to the loom are undoubtedly
essential in the weaving of a tapestry. While we have the loom and
the cosy space in which to place it, our threads consist of a colourful
blend of creative practices, personal discoveries, dreams, and
concepts. We are a diverse group of weavers: individual artists, voice
workers, pedagogical trainers, coaches, movement practitioners, and
musicians. It is worth reflecting on the ways we shared these different
practices, which allowed for the creation of unforeseen formations
and patterns in our communal carpet.
The Weaving Voices project facilitated a structure where participants
would take turns guiding workshops, sharing their creative practices
while others learned by following instructions. Surrendering to
someone else’s practice is as valuable as guiding, and alternating
these roles is a powerful tool for community building. It allows
participants to metaphorically stand in each other’s shoes, fostering
deeper connections and understanding. When guiding, we get the
opportunity to explore our own practice through the perspectives
of others. Conversely, following instructions within a new practice
allows us to playfully explore and re-contextualise ourselves. This
process creates a communal space for sharing, leading to new
insights and ideas that inspire new works for everyone involved.
Artists Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher highlight the significance
of following instructions beautifully in their introductory words from
their book and online community art project Learning to Love You
More:
Learning to Love You More. Assignment 55: Photograph a significant outfit.
“Sometimes it is a relief to be told what to do… our most joyful and
profound experiences often come when we are following other people’s
instructions… Sometimes it seems like the moment we let go of trying to be
original, we actually feel something new”. 108
108 Learning to Love You More is a seven-year community project initiated by Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher, which began in 2002. The project consisted of a website featuring assignments. The formula they developed
yielded rich, captivating, and meaningful content. More than 8000 people worldwide responded, forming an
online community that shared personal stories. In 2007 they created a book from the gathered content:
Fletcher, H. et al. (2007) Learning to Love You More. Munich: Prestel.
See also: Learning to Love You More (2010) Learning to Love You More. Available at: http://learningtoloveyoumore.com/ [Accessed 2 Jul. 2024].
Voice exercise in a group with Carol Mendelsohn during the Weaving Voices workshop week at the Roy Hart Centre, France, October 2022.
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