Seed Beds – The Process Page

While developing this project I have been aware that with every step I go deeper into a process The process is Thinking through Making The process has become a practical pedagogical tool These are the principles of my process: Identify and establish the limitations Select a few ingredients Establish a rule or set of rules Organise and prepare the work area Have some tools, props, materials to hand Have enough time Do not spend any time searching for an idea The starting point is not an idea The starting point is irrelevant Start by fiddling with something, anything Let energy generate momentum Work with energy only Your brain will want to help, let it help but don’t allow it to interfere, never allow it to lead Strive for momentum Strive for what feels good Keep doing whatever feels good Focus only on how it feels Perfect the feeling Perfect the doing – do it well – not badly, clumsily, sloppily or lazily The momentum will subside When it does – stop Look at what you have done It should make you laugh, cry, dance, howl… It should feel risky, dangerous and uncomfortable Because you are somewhere new Enjoy not knowing where you are Enjoy being lost Repeat something, anything – the action, the rule, the process Add something new Don’t judge the process or the outcome (s) Reflect lightly not deeply Keep everything light Keep moving Repeat Repeat Repeat At some point you will know when it is time to stop, step back and look at what is emerging Identify a similarity, a constant or a pattern Notice what has grown stronger and deeper than other things Don’t judge it Allow it Dig into it Explore it Wander into it At some point it will lead Let it lead you You don’t get to chose it, it choses you Follow it Keep following it With care, precision, exactness, respect and loyalty Find meaning Make meaning Find connections Make connections You have a practice Keep practicing it