Collaborative Autobiographics: Interrogating Representations of Self and Other in Media, Writing and Storytelling

Description

How do we reconcile the needs and voice of the individual with the greater good of the group? How can a focus on collectivism lead us to greater individual understanding? How can we create collaborative art projects that combine strong individual voice with a collective sense of identity, and how do we do that with integrity and respect for one’s self, others and the creative work?

This program is an interdisciplinary arts practice program that explores the complexities of telling personal stories across various mediums and within the context of the collaborative process. The purpose of the program is to explore cross-cultural and cross- disciplinary approaches to autobiography, to investigate the role of collectivism and collaboration in autobiographical storytelling, and to develop analytical and practical skills related to media, creative non-fiction literature and writing, and performance. The program will have four major components:

1. A weekly All Program Meeting in which all students and faculty gather for lectures, screenings, and presentations on critical and creative texts related to issues of collaboration, collectivism, identity formation, storytelling, ethical and conceptual issues in documentary, film analysis, autobiography, ethnography and performance.
2. A weekly Seminar in which smaller groups gather to discuss the issues and readings presented in the All Program Meeting in more depth.
3. A weekly Creative Practices Workshop in which students will gain focused training and skill development studies in one of three areas: creative non-fiction writing, performance, or electronic media. Students entering the program will be assigned to one of these workshops based on their interests and on optimizing opportunities for growth and collaboration.These workshops are designed to be foundational in nature, and are best suited for students who are interested in expanding their interdisciplinary creative vocabulary, rather than students who are interested in sticking to just one area of creative practice.
4. A weekly "Each-One Teach-One" Session during which students will teach the skills they have learned in their Creative Practices Workshop to students from other workshops.  This collaborative student driven process is designed to give students exposure to all three of our creative practice areas regardless of their assignment, while giving students unique opportunities to teach as a way to strengthen their learning.
5. Collaborative Assignments on which students will work in small groups to create three interdisciplinary art pieces utilizing skills and insights drawn from all elements of the program. Each of these works will incorporate elements of creative non-fiction writing, electronic media, and performance, and will give all students the opportunity to explore the intersections between our program themes and the three areas of creative practice.

Through collaborative work and through experiments intersecting creative nonfiction writing, electronic media, and performance, this program will explore the complex or multiple elements of identity and truth drawn upon or discovered in acts of self-representation.  This interdisciplinary arts program emphasizes collaborative learning and the importance of working generatively in an increasing diverse world. Students should come ready to take creative risks, to work hard, to work respectfully, and to practice initiative while serving the greater good of the program. If you’re a divergent thinker looking for opportunities to explore the possibilities of collaborative creative production, this is absolutely the program for you .