Some background:
In 2014, the Thornhill
Group hosted a number of events relating to social art. (See: Resilience and Renewal Through Social Sculpture) The “social sculpture” workshop with Deborah Ravetz
was a big highlight. Here is a
comment from one of the participants:
“As long as we as individuals do not look at
our own "hidden, ignored and denied" issues, we will not move forward
as a community. If we stay stuck in our old ways and don't dare to jump, we will not change anything. Only if we make
ourselves vulnerable will we make progress. To face our own vulnerability is
incredibly difficult for us, it requires such courage and strong will and not
everyone is able to do take the important first step”.
We studied the
biographies of many individuals who emerged from shattering catastrophes,
bringing powerful new impulses into the world.
We asked, What is hidden, ignored
and denied in ourselves today? How can
we help each other to break new ground and reveal our destiny?
Joan takes it a step
further:
During her visit to the
Toronto area, Joan gave talks and led seminars at Hesperus, the Toronto Waldorf
School and the Waldorf Academy. Empathy
was the theme running through all these events.
She described how empathy is a process of deepening and challenging
relationships. We can only arrive at a
real experience of another person when we understand and appreciate their
differences. We need to become selfless
in order to experience the other’s self,
and in so doing, we become conscious of our own self. This, indeed, is social art!
Joan’s way of working is experiential and very
engaging. Participants are guided
through actual social experiences, and then responses are shared in open
conversation. Anthroposophical concepts
are only introduced towards the end, to help people digest their
experiences. For many people, this was
their first anthroposophical event, and Joan’s
approach was very appropriate.
The Goetheanum as
catalyst:
Joan is a relatively
new member of the Executive Council at the Goetheanum, and is very interested
in learning more about what is living in the Society - particularly in North
America. Seeing her in action, a new
image arose in mind: Goetheanum as catalyst.
She brings many inspiring resources into the discussion at hand, while leaving
us entirely free to figure out what needs to be done. Here are some examples of helpful
interactions: meeting with leaders and residents of Camphill Communities
Ontario, and helping us see our work in an international context, participating
in a research seminar at York University, and helping us understand how
gathering data is not an end in itself, participating effectively in networking
opportunities in a range of public settings (e.g. Centre for Social Innovation,
Beit Zatoun, Village Market…)
Joan, you have
re-kindled flames. Come back soon!
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