BRAIDING AND SPHERING

Inspired by the central threads of sympoiesis, ABC invites vCIES 2020 Miami conference attendees to make-with us by braiding/sphering to embody and “re-situate the human within the relational flow of life where everyone and everything – both human and non-human – are deeply interconnected” (CIES, 2020). We find inspiration in Manning and Massumi (2014) who say the “relational environment is set up to make the outside a participant . . . the outside brings friends” (p. 64); they continue: “to paint [or braid/sphere] with friends, is to become attentive to how the friends paint [or braid/sphere] in you” (p. 72). Thus, we use braiding/sphering in this interactive art installation as a making-with, a worlding-with each other, humans and non-humans alike, in educational spheres and . . . 
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PROVOCATIONS

After reviewing the introduction and video (above), consider how you might respond to the following questions.  

• What will you braid and why? Possibilities: materials, sounds, writings, movements, and . . . 
• How will you document your braid(ing process) and why?​ Possibilities: photography, drawing, audio, video, and . . . ​

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NEXT STEPS

We'd like to document your braiding process(es) and/or product(s) from social media posts in one place (we consider this our shared sphere). So, please consider posting on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter, using the following identifiers: ​#PickUpTheThreads​ #EdBeyondHuman #vCIES #CIES2020 #vCIES2020 @CIES_US
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GALLERY

I  braid as an extended moment of self.
As an artistic expression of me.
I braid to unplug from the world.
I love the lines and the time.
This is my Playground.
​by Chris Omni
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View this post on Instagram

Inspired by the braiding conceptual project of @amberrayward and @rebecca.c.christ Using this braid to hold the tapes I use to mail the masks I am making during this pandemic. Might have to braid some straps when materials are gone. #pickupthethreads

A post shared by Egda Claudio (@eclaudio_abr) on Apr 18, 2020 at 10:44am PDT

#PickUpTheThreads #EdBeyondHuman #vCIES #CIES2020 #vCIES2020 @CIES_US Please join us in braising and sphering together! Read & join - https://t.co/t8419XXyBK pic.twitter.com/qCmAPpZkbV

— Iveta Silova ꩜ (@IvetaSilova) April 1, 2020

In entanglements, we don't have a proper beginning or ending - so instead, I offer one layer from my threads to #vCIES in hopes to see if you may #PickUpTheThreads, @cies_us. pic.twitter.com/1lkvSqDoNq

— Garine Palandjian (@GarinePalandji1) April 4, 2020

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rebekah Gordon (@ophiesmom) on Mar 27, 2020 at 9:39am PDT

​Questions? Please contact:
Amber at [email protected]
Becky at [email protected]
​ABC at [email protected] 

​A special thank you to Egda Claudio (FSU PhD student in Art Education) for her work as an artist assistant.