People often avoid talking about thorny issues together. This workshop provides an avenue into nonviolent discussion.
Treating a given space like a giant piece of graph paper, participants position themselves in specific places to silently declare their opinion of a concept. Individuals are then offered the opportunity to create a sculpture to help illuminate why they have chosen their position; this image is further defined in words by viewers outside the given sculpture. This is important because when viewers “read” a sculpture, they short-circuit any judgement which might arise from a Sculptor who would otherwise use spoken words. In addition, when those at the opposite pole help describe offered images in words it effectively humanizes all individuals who might otherwise appear to be in bitter opposition.
The participants will:
- learn the power of making interactive non-verbal polls
- practice creating images to illustrate a deep truth
- be encouraged to practice deep, empathetic listening
