Event 1: Understanding Arts Based Research: Workshops: Work Out/ Tune-Up/Turn On

Last week, I was able to attend the Understanding Arts Based Research: Workshops: Work Out/ Tune-Up/Turn On in Board Art Center. I arrived at the last session that The Phone in the Apple: Material Technology – Dissolving Bodies" presented by the artist Vera Wittkowsky. 

After Vera asked to put down our phones and turn them to mute mode, audiences started the three-minute contemplation. We were asked to feel the temperature and material of our phones, consider phones as the part of our body, and what we would do if our phones are "dead." The theme of this process was meant to help us to realize our emotional and physical entanglements with those electronic devices. After having my own cellphones, it was really rare for me to just lay on the chair and separate myself from the noisy outside world to seriously consider my relationship with my "close friend."

Then, we were divided by the attitudes towards our phones. Should we regard our phones as a tool? the resource of annoyance? or obsessions? There were four of us chose the obsession. And we all agreed that the messages received on our phones affects our efficiency and even makes us nervous after a certain period of "NO-phones." Instagrams, Facebook, and GroupMe became the common apps we used to connect with friends and outside work, which consumes a large amount of time everyday. Furthermore, Mark, a group member, mentioned that the age of students having electronic devices became earlier and earlier. The obsession of phones can be expected to be a problematic issue for the younger generation. 

During this workshop, my understanding of arts based research changes. It is a good representation of the combination of arts and technology. During this workshop, Vera Wittkowsky built a comfortable atmosphere for audience to explore the physical and emotional relations with phones. Based on our reflections to phones, the research can be conducted to show the artistic values. The whole procedure for me is completely interesting and valuable. Hopefully, more students on our campus will realize that there are so many arts workshops can be attended.