KIM'S TUTORIAL

This week’s group engaged the class in an activity which I found to be quite interesting. We were all asked to remain completely silent as we entered the class, and we were told to walk around in any direction way or direction we pleased, to become comfortable and with the environment. During this time we really got familiar and connected with the classroom itself. Next, when told, we had to stop and partner up with whomever our eyes met. Facing our partner in silence, we either closed our eyes or looked at our partner, and for the next minute or so we just felt their presence and were indulged in the moment. We then continued to walk and again were asked to partner up, face our partners in silence, but this time maintaining eye contact. After doing this, again we had to walk and when told to stop, find a partner through eye contact. This time we could either  open or close our eyes, and we held up our hands feeling each others presence. We then held hands for a few seconds and then just felt each other’s presence with our hands up.

The activity was initially very awkward, for obvious reason, but once we all realized that the other person is feeling the same we decided to get over that awkward feeling and just embrace the moment. This activity really made us more comfortable and understanding of each other because just by looking into a person’s eyes and feeling their presence, you really connect with them. During this activity we experienced something we don’t usually get to in our everyday encounters with people. It was relevant to the readings the groups discussed because through this activity, we experienced how voice can be given to the silent, and how to nurture a climate of trust.  The activity made everyone feel equal, and by intermingling with the class the group itself became our equals. They destroyed the division that would make them the presenters and us the listeners, and instead they were able to present while being a part of our experience as well.

The group’s snack was a few different dishes, all derived from pumpkin. Each member in the group could relate to the pumpkin and so they each created a different dish that was made from it. Each dish, might I add, was indeed very good. Before eating, the group sat us all down in a circle and together we took a moment to think about where the pumpkin and the dish itself had come; and to whom and what we are thankful to, for it.

imagiNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival

It’s coming up starting on October 20! This is a wonderful festival that lasts for 4 days showing films created by indigenous peoples from around the world. They also host other events and organize panel discussions, creating connections between directors, viewers, supporters, artists, etc. Many films raise critical questions about colonialism, indigenous identity and sovereignty, connections with Nature, there is even some comedy!

For more information visit their website:  http://www.imaginenative.org/index.php?y=2010

The first facilitation group in Deb’s tutorial mentioned the festival when talking about indigenous identity and knowledge and showed a trailer of the featured film “Boy” on the opening night on the October 20. It seemed like a really funny and interesting film to see and some of us agreed to try and make it to see the film. How cool would it be to make it a class outing! This is an invitation for everyone who is interested in seeing another side of the indigenous story. It’s about laughter, family, and coming of age. See the trailer first! You will definitely be convinced to come hang out, watch and share. It is another opportunity to get to know your other classmates better! As well as inspire critical thinking and creativity in all of us.

Here are the details:

Where: Bloor Cinema (located and Bloor and Bathurst)

When: October 20, 7:00pm

How much?: $10 for students or $12 (don’t forget your yorku card!)

Tickets: Can buy online or before the film

Meeting place: Any suggestions? Outside or inside 15 minutes before the show?

Links to the trailer: http://www.imaginenative.org/filmpreview.php?id=378

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwqfR8g-Qow

Power, Identity and Difference

Today we talked about Identity(ies), its differences and the power associated with it (or lack thereof).

Power Flower 

This power flower is tools used as way to reflect on our social location and realizing a a relation between those who have power or are the dominant group and those who aren't. It was a good exercise because it made you think about identities and made you reflect on your own privilege in some petals and lock of privilege in other petals. A key statement made during lecture is that identity(ies) are changing and fluid. Nothing is static since our lives would change and different context and environment would demand a type of adaptation or change in identity.



In the Toronto context, we speak of identities through a "multicultural" framework or lens. This topic is a a constant theme spilling over throughout Kim's tutorials. Some questions that were raised were:
What is multiculturalism? Who is included in this framework or mosaic of 'diversity'? Who decided which identities are included in this? Does multiculturalism as it is described to market Canada and Toronto really exist? Is it another form of Racism and Hypocrisy?

Presentation

The group presentation was a very dynamic one in Kim's tutorial.

As four presenters came in dressed in gorilla masks, they served us us zucchini salad with tomato sauce  sprinkled with parmesan cheese. Taking inspiration from the "Guerilla Girls," who are anonymous females who take the names of dead female artists pseudonyms and appear in public wearing gorilla masks the group offered a thought provoking discussion about how important and limiting socially constructed identities are. 


http://www.guerrillagirls.com/interview/faq.shtml


The ritual that the class participated in was inspirational. We were all in a circle clapping, and holding a piece of a Jenga puzzle, as we go around the circle each one of had to put down the piece making a tower and complete the sentence "I am ..." Everyone had something different to say. I am - a student, a mother, a Canadian, a girl, a French girl, a citizen, an artist. However at the end of the activity one of the presenters knocked down the tower and emphasized the point that these identities are all constructed and limiting and we should free ourselves from these. It was a very fun activity. You also learn a lot about how people perceive themselves and what is most important to them since we were given space for only one label. 

As part of their presentation, we had a spoken word performance as well!!  (The piece will be put up ASAP)!! :)
The most memorable part of the day for me. 

 

Zucchini pasta

The reason the group chose to make zucchini pasta is because it was a perfect example of their topic. The zucchini in zucchini pasta is basically taking on the identity of pasta. This dish is a hybrid of American and Italian, and also Vegan culture.

Breaking down socially constructed identities

This activity lead to an explanation on how the idea of identity is actually something that is always in flex never finished.  We shouldn't limit and label ourselves to one specific category because this is very inaccurate. Through this exercise we also learnt that part of what we know about ourselves is knowing what we're not. We compare ourselves to others and through our perspectives of others, we identify ourselves. 

September 29 - Recap

Deb's Tutorial: Indigeneity and Identity

This is the first tutorial which has been facilitated by a group of students this year. First, I would like to acknowledge what a wonderful job they did in facilitating the class and especially helping us loosen up at the beginning of the class with a ritual that involved the playing of a unique instrument belonging to Kunle. He also shared this very special poem with us:

In Dignity is Genius

In dignity is genius of a human kind

found the world over, in body, soul, mind

one love, one blood, one heart, one shrine

you, me, we & money, all colour blind

where slums, dogs & millionaires combine

where Maasai, cows & land rovers climb

where Maori, warriors & Aborigines align

while colonial, imperial powers confine

In dignity is genius of a human kind

technologically advancing to extinct & unwind

ways of life, natural, organic, cosmic, in design

confused by the past & a magic yet defined

by science & the intellectually inclined

Culture, art & the practice of community

is genius of a human kind in dignity

caring, nurturing, conscious creativity

peace of mind & love for you & me

together we connect beyond prosperity

regaining ground globally, collectively

enduring, eternal, infinite for all to see

as blind lead blind into obscurity

In dignity is genius of a human kind

found the world over, in body, soul, mind

one love, one blood, one heart, one shrine

natural, organic, cosmic, universal, in design

Something else that really struck me was when we were asked about our own identity stories. How does hybridity affect us all in our everyday lives? No one was comfortable enough to respond, until Naila, one of the facilitators, broke the ice with her own story which was about trying to explain to others where she was from. Slowly, one by one, many others joined in the storytelling. Storytelling is important and beautiful! Hopefully we shall continue to share these in every tutorial.