Softness, Week 11, Objects and Narration

Alex and I decided to work together early on. Last week we happened to
run in to each other at Xavier Le Roy's dance performance, and from
there the evening bloomed into joyous dinner, drinks and dessert. Since
the theme of this weeks assignment was narrative, I thought to do a skit
in class. Alex and I would speak in rapid fire sequence, finishing each
other's sentences. We would say nothing of what we were doing, but as
we talked a narrative would unfold between us.

Later we met again and Alex expressed his desire to do a podcast,
reminiscent of Chicago Public Radio's "This American Life". During
lunch we launched into a conversation about how the name has affected
our identities. Wouldn't it be fascinating to interview the other
Alex's at ITP and get their impressions of how their name has affected
their perceptions? For example, I have always wondered about Alexander
the Great and his relation to me. None of course, but a young
imagination can conjure all sorts of stories.

How can we unfold ourselves to others? Alex had the idea we each
bring in several personal objects, and have everyone in the class select
one describing which one of us it reminds them of and why. This idea
came from watching a group of three talking, unable to hear what they
were saying, we made up stories about the personal objects sitting on
the table around them.

Using an object a narrative will be constructed. This narrative is not
necessarily true, but opens a window into the mind of the narrator and
their thoughts of us. This window is opened silently, offering a rare
unadulterated glimpse of generalizations and assumptions about us which
otherwise would be difficult to pinpoint and verbalize.

I brought in a little red leather book, a piece of jewelry, Alex
brought in a map of Chicago and a guitar strap. Which one of us does
this object belong to? Why do you think so? Please make up a little
story of how the object came into our possession. I am looking forward
to how people will react!

-- Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:32 -0500

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