I had a really enjoyable experience getting to know some of
the students at Broward College during my talk at their North Campus on
Thursday evening, as well as during the workshop the following Friday afternoon
at the airport. I’ve set up my “community
studio” again during this visit, and this time I’m encouraging visitors to join
in the creative process by taking a stab at making a little something of their
own on the fly, in the moment (no pun intended, necessarily, but such an approach
seems appropriate, given the transient nature of airports and the ephemeral
aspects of the construction project).
Any rate, this idea formed the basis of the workshop for the
Broward College students on Friday.
After talking with them about my own process, and viewing my
installation of 10, backlit photographs on view in the Lee Wagener gallery, I
tasked them with coming up with their own creative response to the airport’s transformation
in relation to their own experience and understanding. I had a variety of basic art materials on
hand – modeling clay, paper and pencils, charcoal, tissue paper, sculpting “sand”,
carving tools, backdrop cloth, etc. – as well as a stack of about 300
photographic work proofs that could be used as inspiration and/or incorporated
into new works. The students also took a
brief wander outside to gather natural materials and random debris, which they
used to great effect!
I have to say, it was a really fun afternoon and these
students inspired me with their creative energy. A few images of the students at work as well
as their resulting artworks are below.
Click on any image to enter into slideshow view, which
provides a larger image.
