We have the 1st
interview with Susan as
Lab director and principal artist of the Maakin Project,
reflecting on the project to date, it’s highs and
lows. Susan reflects on the challenge that this lab has
presented to her. The function of all PAL Labs is to “release
the energy and imagination of each individual who participates
in them”. Therefore, to be able to identify the
capacity for this to happen begins with the selection
process of Lab participants. Normally Susan would know
the participants, their work and their aspirations well
before a Lab is held. In the Maakin Lab, distance,
time and quality of communication compromised this aspect
of the preparation to an extent. She feels she did not
spend sufficient time in earlier visits understanding
Maggie and Stephanie’s approaches to creativity
in Shetland, but had developed a clear idea of what a
Lab might mean to the knitters and lace makers.
"They
had a long history of pressure to knit for a living
and so the idea of knitting for some free wheeling creative
experience was odd for them…People are now asking
questions about what happens next, where will it all
go?"
Susan feels that the Lab had
the potential to celebrate the personalities of the makers.
Initial discomfort
and dislocation are a necessary phase in being able
to trust
one’s own creativity in working with others.
Knowing the individual participants better would
have been an
advantage in working through this period of initial
discomfort.
Susan is encouraged that individuals
are asking about the future of the project. She
is looking forward
to the 'allies' day when those who
have invested in the project might hear and see
where
their investment
will lead.
We also have the 1st
interview with Maggie (Marr) and Stephanie as
On the Edge partners and co-directors
of the Maakin Lab project, reflecting
with them the projects’ highs and lows.
Maggie and Stephanie acknowledge
that the Lab is achieving some of its objectives, in particular
focusing on Shetland
College’s role in supporting the industry
through hosting the Lab. They are less clear
about how the Lab
process works in terms of directing (or not)
the creativity of individual participants and
about their contribution
as 'co-directors' in preparing for
the Lab. They are uncomfortable with Susan
undertaking a ‘dual
role’ as participant and overall director,
and question the validity of doing so. |