Radical Acts: being playful
Today in the Connection Chat, we were discussing the topic of playfulness. I asked if there were any elements of curiosity or play that they had when they were little that have carried over into their practice today? Or, are there any from childhood that they could intentionally bring forward?
Curiosity, playfulness, joy, wonder… they’re all things that the “adult” - ahem, capitalism - devalues. These are weapons, which is why the arts are under attack right now. How dare you be curious? What possibilities might you consider?
We talked about new mediums and old thought patterns. Learning to unlearn. Growth. How we might implement play in our own individual practices. Is it in the work, is it outside the work? How does it leak its way in? How does our play inform our process, and are we aware of it?
This conversation plays off of the previous one about hobbies and intersections… I ask questions in these weekly chats, but I am always left with more inspiring things to ponder when we part ways. Like, has everyone considered that they might be unhappy if they don’t get to play enough? Do the muggles consider this?
As an artist, I will become an unhappy and not-nice-to-be-around person if I can’t get to make some marks on paper frequently enough. Play is essential to my process.
The images in this post are all things from my studio this week, exploring layers, forms, mediums, and always trying to figure out how to use words in my work. I never know how it will end up, or something might work its way into my larger practice. If I don’t play, I’ll never find out.
So I encourage you to play, to be silly, to pick up something you don’t know how to do, to dare to be a beginner again - question the “rules”, set aside any judgement, put it in a jar on a shelf if you need it later… or smash that jar with a giant hammer of anti-fascist curiosity…
I wonder, how do or might you embrace play in your life?
🖤✨ Jen
If you’re an artist and would like to join the Connection Chat, you can do so here: https://jenpalmer.art/connection