Free Saturday Workshop #3: Me-mory with Seven Alexa Manschot

Not Quite There, but Here With Me is a series of five workshops led by Seven Alexa Manschot, inspired by Moshekwa Langa’s exhibition You will find us in the best places. Just as Langa does in his work, we explore how we can transform personal memories and experiences into images and objects. Using everyday objects as building blocks and our own associations as a driving force, we learn more about what is uniquely ours in a creative way.

Among other things, we’ll be making a wearable amulet and a personal memory game. We’ll play with stories, materials and flavours, and discover how something that is initially ordinary can take on an unexpected personal meaning. You don’t need to be an artist or know exactly what you want to make; curiosity is enough.

Be inspired by Langa’s exploration of identity, memory and everyday materials, and discover how your own perspective makes the world special.

PROGRAM:

31 October: Workshop #1 – Heartbeads – What do you carry with you?

7 November: Workshop #2 – Place bunting – Layers of memories

14 November: Workshop #3 – Me-mory

21 November: Workshop #4 – Quite like me

28 November: Workshop #5 – Identitea

Workshop #3 – Me-mory

We watch Where do I begin? and discuss what we do and do not know about the people in the video. What remains hidden? Participants create a memory card game using their own photographs, which they cut out and ‘frame’ to create a chosen perspective. Just as in Where do I begin?, the image is fragmented.

We make the card games and decorate the cardboard storage boxes. Participants play each other’s memory games and explore: is the game easier when you play with your own set of memories? How does it feel to lay your personal memories bare in this way, whilst still telling the story yourself through a game? The participants discuss their memories with one another and why they chose them.

The participants discuss their memories with one another and why they chose them. We conclude by asking questions such as: what did you think you were seeing, and what story turned out to be behind it? Which of someone else’s memories has stayed with you?