I was unfortunately unable to attend this workshop.
However, after speaking with Chris, Haruko and Lianne (and reading emails from Bernadine), I can tell the session was INTENSE !!! Lots of discussion. Lots of sharing. Frankly, lots of therapy.
Less than half the scarves were actually decorated but comments, slogans, & feelings were collected on a group sharing board that participants agreed could be printed on the commemorative scarves. But even though we did not “finish our quota” — with these kind of community aktions — one must measure in a very different way.
In fact, even “normal” criticism (especially art criticism) must be put aside when reflecting on what happens when working with communit(ies).
From the beginning of our project, Haruko cautioned that we did not have enough time to work with the various DTES women’s groups to effectively collaborate with them in the making of the scarves. She was (of course) completely right!!! Ideally, dialogue/therapy/safe-place-to-speak building would/should have happened over a 6-8 month period of time. If we had more time, ROSE and women’s groups could have evolved a process that provided opportunities for visual/performance art initiatives to come from the DTES Women’s Groups instead of being lead by ROSE in visual/performance “aktions”. In other words, if there were more time, ROSE could have become more facilitators than initiators.
But this being said, the slogans/drawings/phrases and directions from the women at the workshop were deeply moving. One of my favourites was: “We need a place to tell our stories”. We are not doing a big thing or even all of what we dreamed to be doing. But we are doing a small thing. And even sharing this one true thought from one woman is a good thing.
The stories, images, thoughts, poems, etc. shall be joined by more women’s stories/images collected from other communities; mothers looking for their lost daughters, mothers collecting and burying their daughters’ bodies. We shall bring these forward to our next workshop on Wednesday at W2 Gallery.
respectfully submitted,
Lady Justice
****
from Haruko Okano by e-mail
The November 30 workshop was for me more about listening, hearing and deepening my understanding for women who have run this gauntlet. I lived in the Main Hotel at the bottom of Main Street near Alexander Street for a year in the 80′s and I can attest to the worsening conditions. As a society, in the business of our technologically advancement, our humanity, our caring actions seem to leave us like sand in an hourglass.
The strength of the women who survive this gauntlet that is played out in the downtown eastside, are the strong role models for us who have the priviledge of living elsewhere, who have the priviledge of options. It is a constant reminder that as a stress counsellor once said “It only takes 3 major changes in a short period of time to take an individual over the stress safety line” I’ve experienced this and I have been the shoulder for another who went over the top.
There for the grace of the goddess … go I.
Haruko
Tags: activist art, community art, feminism
