Week Four - Ethics and Privilege in Community-Engaged Art

The Space of Conflict-

I decided to read Dorit Cipys’ article on “The Space of Conflict.” In the beginning of reading her article I immediately became self aware of how I enter and space and recognize conflict. In the person that I am, when I enter a space I jump to critiquing and analysing the room, how its laid out, the colors I am walking into, and especially the lighting. For some people gauging a space is not the most important aspect to their lives. In my case, I enter a new space in almost every piece of work I come in contact with. Something these spaces are the size of a general room, say a meeting room, or some can be a large indoor arena where in a few hours the space will be totally transformed to create an atmosphere where conflict should be pushed aside and instead bring a community together to experience a meaning. On the flip side, some of my spaces I have encountered are involved with nature, and bring my consciousness outside where the elements help conduce solutions to conflict. 

Another aspect of Cipys’ article was what I feel we learn in middle school and high school, being a dynamic listener. Only good conversation and mediators can arise from those who listen fully to the conversation and whats around them. Without having full attention individuals struggle to grasp fully what is being talked about. A lot os misunderstanding can come about from those who do not listen fully and miss a crucial point in someone’s speech. Not only will context be skipped but the meaning and dialect behind what is literally being said can be misinterpreted and understood for the wrong reasons. This aspect of spacial conflict pairs nicely with her last point in how we witness the experiences of others. To expand on experience, I feel that how someone witnesses the physical movements should not hold back how their emotional habits are perceived. Today we can be taken so literal that the wrong meaning can be assumed in a spit second and create conflict for all the wrong reasons. Having mediators who are primed in recognizing and finding solutions to conflicts is crucial as we enter the future.