LIFELINES project
Bethany Tindell — March 2017
This Art Intervention project titled “Lifelines” is a collaborative piece where individuals in the Colorado Springs, CO community can be involved in mapping the spaces they have occupied in the world. The project asks the question, “How do you think collaborative projects, in general, are beneficial to positive social awareness?”
The goal of this piece is to communicate the cultural diversities of Colorado Springs specifically. The map is intended to be an exercise for people in my community and for myself to engage in positive dialogue. The focus of conversation revolves around having empathy and respect for everyone around us no matter what cultural differences or personal backgrounds we all have. I am hoping to get 100 or more participants from several areas in Colorado Springs.
Those who take part in the project are asked to make an entry in a journal. Their page includes their first name, age, and a response to one of three questions provided:
-HOW DO YOU THINK COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS IN GENERAL ARE BENEFICIAL TO POSITIVE SOCIAL AWARENESS?
-HOW DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE LIFELINES COLLABORATIVE PROJECT IS EFFECTIVE IN ILLUSTRATING THE CULTURAL DIVERSITY OF COLORADO SPRINGS?
-HOW CAN THE UNDERSTANDING OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCES HELP COMMUNITY MEMBERS SHOW MORE EMPATHY TOWARDS THOSE WITH DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND LIFE CHALLENGES?
On March 16, 2017, I put up the first booth in the University Center at UCCS for two hours. Including fellow classmates, my instructor, myself, and students passing by in the University Center hallway, 19 entries have been collected.
Overall, students were excited about the project while some even felt inspired to do something similar within their homes. It was encouraging to talk with students who all have different cultural experiences and also find value in having empathy for the people around them.
I was challenged by an individual about what my project was trying to illustrate. This person helped me realize that not every individual feels that they should have empathy towards others. This project was meant to challenge that mentality and, in the end, we were able to realize that we both were affected by each other and by our values in a positive way.
The final item that was given out to each participant was information on how to follow the map’s progress. I have been posting on my artist blog:
The second location on 7 April 2017 was at Cottonwood Center for the Arts. Their first Friday show, Divine Living, focused on performance art and activism. A talk was given by civil rights activist John B. Smith accompanied by performance art, music, and film.
http://cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com/first-friday/
I am very grateful to have been given a space to set up this project. As of the 7th, the “Lifelines” project has had 35 participants.
Thank you to everyone who helped develop, transport, and document.
This blog post will be updated to represent each location until the goal of 100 people is reached.
