IDEA Conference 2021: Acting for Change
A workshop called ‘Acting for Change’ was facilitated by Michael McCabe of Smashing Times
at the IDEA conference on Thursday 24 June 2021. The aims of this workshop were as follows:
To ground ourselves individually on an experiential level connecting to our breath and the Earth beneath; To share the necessity for learning agreement as a safe boundary and structure to invite our creative work to emerge; To introduce the possibility of safe physical expression and primacy of the body is a significant factor in all forms of human communication; To explore themes of cultural and ethnical oppression, in a non linear imagistic manner where thought process opens to artistic expression; To share potential of creating an ensemble. This is non-hierarchical, flexible, an example of how we can build a model society that is inclusive.
Fundamentally, the ensemble began to take agency here. The individual thinks differently, feels differently. The group experiences the beginning of creative potential through the development of a culture, and how this can lead to meaningful change.
In reflecting on these aims, all were achieved in a physical, collective deep subconscious meaningful manner. Having first ensured through physical principles that all are aligned and comfortable in our chairs, with parallel knee over toes, toes pointing straight ahead, the spine tall with relaxed shoulders, with hands placed palm down on thighs may seem unnecessarily detailed. Yet in proposing such a physical posture, even sitting down, we are introducing the F.M. Alexander technique of aligning the human skeleton.
Here, there is space to ensure that all are experiencing physical comfort. Subsequently, the invitation is proposed to connect to ‘belly breath’ whereby the inhalation thought we gently invite is ‘soothe’, and the exhalation thought we invite is ’ease’.
These may seem ‘basic’ principles, yet how we start sets a foundation for what ultimately such creative work proposes. The function of all creative work is to create an experiential change in our breathing. And the medium and manner in how we conduct such work is fundamentally how to develop a model, inclusive society based on respect and culture: How we treat each other, see each other, the language we employ to tell our stories, create our experiences.
With physical engagement as the central means of expression and communication, working on creating imagery as a fulcrum to explore such work is a very different engagement, individually and collectively. Prior to working in our groups, a simple way to warm up in one’s home was followed by ‘roles are changed’, and ultimately, we swop and change roles as frequently as possible without an obvious signal of ‘taking over’.
This is an excellent exercise to develop deep trust with a partner, which permeates the group. We included a brief extension of this where one person was mirrored by the entire group, and in that process, we began to develop a chorus and hero/heroine figures. Archetypes present at a sub conscious level, yet more vitally, the group play and combine. This is a collective sense of group motor neurons firing.
Two groups were then proposed to compose a brief TV-like commercial, choosing an ethical theme of their choice, whereby this product shows how to get from the real problem to an ideal solution. The note here is that the only verbal language one can employ is gibberish. This keeps such work in the right side of the hemisphere - in the soma; non-logical, and playful.
The trainer invited a second replaying of these commercials, and intervened with a freeze proposal. At the freeze, all pause, and present a statue. The trainer subsequently asked the group different directions each time, for instance, tell your commercial in fast forward; slow motion; rewind fast rhythm; cartoon genre; Sky Sports slow motion genre and so on. Here, we are proposing to play with our very literal sense of time, meaning, movement, leading to new shape and emotion, a new engagement with space.
To conclude, our whole group came together to compose an image with three tableaux, on an issue specifically of their choice. Here, the trainer proposed for one person to ‘direct’ each frozen image, and indeed to stand out of the image, and give notes to any group member. The trainer intervened, asking the group to consider how to get from one frozen image to the next. An ensemble movement piece began to emerge, supported by gibberish, that conversely, gave meaning, joy, and a culture was introduced.
There was a collective experience seen by the trainer, on screen. The ensemble smiled. The sense of changing our breath pattern was palpable.
This blog was written by Michael McCabe, on behalf of Smashing Times
IDEA to Honour President Higgins with Inaugural Global Voice for Humanity Award at Annual Conference
Dates: Thursday 10 July,10.00am-6.00pm and Friday 11 July, 10.00am-3.00pm Location: An Tairseach, Wicklow IDEA is thrilled to open applications for our second iteration of the IDEA's Lab. In this first of its kind residential Lab, we will create space where members can bring their ideas for projects and try out new planning and design methods. Participants will have the opportunity to work on an idea from scratch to (almost) finish with the support of expert trainers and learn through group exchange in a welcoming and inspiring setting. Participants will come out of the training with: An early project design proofed, tested and built through group feedback, iteration, trialling and support. New approaches in designing innovative projects they can apply to their workplace Headspace and time to work on the design of an innovative project A chance to actively learn through group exchange and strengthen the sense of an innovative community of practice in Ireland How? Please email anya@ideaonline.ie to request an application form. Requesting an application form does not commit you to applying. The deadline for returning application form (including organisational sign off letter) is Friday 23 May, midnight . You will find further details in the application form. Participants must register as a team of 2min.- 4 max. Participants without a team member will be asked to pair up with other individual participants or find a partner outside their organisation. Cost : This training is funded by Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs and offered at a reduced rate. This training is only available to IDEA members. Non-IDEA members can participant as part of an IDEA member team. Fees for members of IDEA is €50 Irish Aid is the Government’s overseas development programme which supports partners working in some of the world’s poorest countries. Irish Aid also supports global citizenship education in Ireland to encourage learning and public engagement with global issues the ideas, opinions and comments expressed in this training are entirely the responsibility of its author(s) and do not necessarily represent or reflect DFA policy. Timeline: Applications open: 07 May Applications close: 23 May, midnight Preparatory session with trainer (30min, online): Mid June Lab arrival: Where possible we advise arrival on Wednesday 09 July in the evening. Accommodation and food will be provided from 09 July, 5.00pm - 11 July, 3.00pm Lab: 10 July,10.00am-6.00pm. 11 July, 10.00am-3.00pm Please don’t hesitate to get in touch at anya@ideaonline.ie if any of the above pose a barrier to your participation, or if you have any other questions.
Wednesday 18 June, 10.00am - 4.00pm
Wynn’s Hotel, Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1
