Useful Idea
Various Faces of Ambiguity
Creating our own stories of ambiguity

#Unlearning #Useful #Various_Genres_of_Arts #Answerless #It’s_Okay_To_Be_Ambiguous


Q. What is “Various Faces of Ambiguity”?

Our team seeks to practice arts education where the individuality of participants can be respected and discovered. We are going to find a way to achieve this from ambiguous moments in our lives. Each team member collects and reads through domestic and international case studies on arts education programs and art works related to ambiguity. Then, we shall share what we find in each discussion session. Based on the discussion, we will create an arts education program on ambiguity together and give a mock-up lesson.


Q. What kind of people, on what common ground, came together as <Useful Idea>?

When the time limit is given to do a certain task, we are busy comparing ourselves with others working on the same task. But, were you able to discover who you are at such a moment? What can we do to face and embrace ourselves as we are that we encounter when we are immersed in a task to accomplish something? Our life is a series of ambiguous moments. By making a decision in that ambiguous moment, our life proceeds. Diverging from what I had learned and been familiar with, I decided to become honest about discovering myself and others, finding real meanings in life, and interacting with others through “unlearning.” People gathered and joined this team, who agree with my thoughts on ambiguity, wish to continuously reflect on themselves in their past and present moments, and are open to share with someone the thoughts they find in such moments. They joined the team, expecting to find the moments of being released, transition, and progression as we will explore the theme.

In the end, based on what we share and exchange, we would like to develop an arts education program which does not show what has to be done but communicates and interacts with participants.


Q. What is the final mission for <Useful Idea>?

We want to develop and conduct a pilot study on an integrated arts education program related to “ambiguity.”


Q. Through what activities will <Useful Idea> interact?
Sess.
Date
Agenda
Details
1Aug 31

“Who Are We?: Getting to Know Team Members”

Learning pillar ideas of arts education as talking about and sharing arts field and works each member is dedicated to.

In-person
2Sept 13

“Researching International Art Works and Arts Education Programs on Ambiguity” (1)

A session for sharing and discussing on what each member research

In-person

3Oct 5

“Researching International Art Works and Arts Education Programs on Ambiguity” (2)

A session for sharing and discussing on what each member research

In-person
4Oct 12

“Researching Domestic Art Works and Arts Education Programs on Ambiguity?” (1)

A session for sharing and discussing on what each member research

In-person
5Oct 19

“Researching Domestic Art Works and Arts Education Programs on Ambiguity?” (2)

A session for sharing and discussing on what each member research

In-person
6Oct 26

“Practicing and Re-interpreting Inspiring Topics or Programs from the Research”

A session for listing up questions and thoughts we have as we practice and re-interpret

In-person
7Nov 18

“About Our Own ‘Ambiguity’ and Unlearning”

A session for planning arts education programs based on our previous research and discussion

In-person

8Nov 25

“Archiving”

Categorizing what we researched by its topics and concepts and re-arranging the programs we planned

In-person
9Nov 26

“Testing the Programs”

Giving mock-up lessons based on the invented programs

In-person

1st Session

Aug 31, 2022. 15:00~18:00

Who Are We?: Getting to Know Team Members

#Exploring_Ambiguity #My_Artist_Friend #Tell_Me_More_about_You 

  • What can arts education do to help children to express the psychological pain they naturally have as they grow?
  • Sharing thoughts on how to cultivate children’s behavior that is open to active exchange and embraces diversity from the exchange
  • “Is ambiguity about breaking our prejudiced conception of something or departing from familiarity?” and other related questions

2nd Session

Sept 13, 2022. 18:00~21:00

Researching International Art Works and Arts Education Programs on Ambiguity (1) 

#Comfortable_Sounds #My_Ambiguous_Existence #A_Patchwork_Cloth

  • Even when an artist’s philosophy is questioned, to continue contemplation without the fear of ambiguity.

3rd Session

Oct 5, 2022. 11:00~14:00 

Researching International Art Works and Arts Education Programs on Ambiguity (2) 

#Choices_of_Ambiguity #Aesthetic_Tools #Experiences_of_Colors

  • Exchanging comments on the photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson’s exhibition, children’s theater Lyngo Theatre, Jacque Lecoq’s workshops, and others and making a draft for the arts education program plan.

4th Session

Oct 12, 2022. 13:00~17:00 

Researching Domestic Art Works and Arts Education Programs on Ambiguity (1) 

#Variety_in_Arts_Education #Universality_of_Arts #Empathy

  • What can we do to communicate the meaning (of ambiguity) with clarity so that it can be fully conveyed or experienced?
  • Finding clarity in ambiguity

5th Session

Oct 19, 2022. 11:00~14:00 

Researching Domestic Art Works and Arts Education Programs on Ambiguity (2) 

#Sensuous_Language_of_Colors #Grasping_the_Sound #Connecting_Sounds_and_Emotions

  • Talking about Murray Schafer’s concept of ‘soundscape,’ John Cage, and Nam June Paik’s “Sound Art” and sharing program ideas for different art fields.

6th Session

Oct 26, 2022. 11:00~14:00 

Practicing and Re-interpreting Inspiring Topics or Programs from the Research 

#Sensuous_Attention #Attention_through_Senses

#Technology_and_Arts_Education

#Harmony_Inside

  • Building on multi-dimensional, various faces of ambiguity
  • Rehearsing a pilot program created by members and sharing comments
  • Ceaseless contemplation on thoughts necessary to the arts education field
Visual expression of emotions / ⓒKACES
Visual expression of emotions / ⓒKACES
Using paper for sensing sound / ⓒKACES
Using paper for sensing sound / ⓒKACES
Sharing visual expression of emotions / ⓒKACES
Sharing visual expression of emotions / ⓒKACES

7th Session

Nov 18, 2022. 13:00~16:00

About Our Own ‘Ambiguity’ and Unlearning 

#Endless_Discovery_of_Senses #Endless_Discovery_in_Ambiguity

  • By doing the “Sense Detective” activity, we organized an education program that incorporates music, visual arts, and theatrical elements
“Sense Detective” activity / ⓒUseful Idea
“Sense Detective” activity / ⓒUseful Idea
“Sense Detective” activity / ⓒUseful Idea
“Sense Detective” activity / ⓒUseful Idea

8th Session

Nov 25, 2022. 13:00~17:00 

Archiving 

#Can_an_Eight_Year_Old_Kid_Do_It?

#Class_Rehearsal #Ambiguity_in_Us

  • Assessing a pilot program using a program simulation model
  • Deep discussion on a more effective way to lead the “Tell Us Your Name” activity
  • Thoughts on starting the program with the “Tell Us Your Name” activity as an icebreaker
  • Checking the overall flow of the program
  • Discussion on recruiting participants (in terms of participants’ ages and gender)
Assessing pilot programs / ⓒUseful Idea
Assessing pilot programs / ⓒUseful Idea

9th Session

Nov 26, 2022. 14:00~18:00

Testing the Programs and Networking Party 

#Ambiguous_Greatness_of_Children #Discovery 

#Passionate_Conversation

  • Through arts, we can see the wider, deeper world
  • Meeting through different senses
  • Sensing through sounds 1
  • Listening and imagining
  • Sensing through eyes
Meeting through different senses / ⓒUseful Idea
Meeting through different senses / ⓒUseful Idea
Sensing through sounds 1 / ⓒUseful Idea
Sensing through sounds 1 / ⓒUseful Idea

Useful Idea’s This and That 
  • It is a record of Useful Ideas’ artists’ this and that, our meetings and time together, and it contains our warm hearts and passion for arts and education.