Conscious Designing
Inquiry project
Intro page
Opens from ARD 2023 Talks formally resume from 2024
Conscious Designing project page here, this intro page is archived for reference.
Conscious Designing Project is a creative Inquiry into how we can make conscious choices that cater to wellbeing of all, in the process bringing diverse groups to create and innovate through the medium of Arts.
As we face some global cahllenges, the solutions might lay in small pockets of our local communities? Or even closer, in our own ways of mindful thinking?
C Design is our initiative to explore the possibilities of creative thinking, innovative outlook and mindful practices that cater to wellbeing for All.
Like all Eco-Culture-Arts projects, this project will be open for collaborating with diverse groups and collectively exploring conscious ways of creating.
Updates: Project page will be open in March to resume our Spring/ Summer events. Stay tuned!
24 March - ‘Repurposed crafts’ youth special virtual meet
31 March- in-person crafts at Spurlock Museum
14 April- Eco-Arts virtual event
22 April- ED in-person celebration with SCIS UIUC
19 May- Nature Hike
2 June- Virtual meet Environmental day- Month
9 June- Book Reading at Lincoln Sq Mall
End of June TBD- Concluding meet
Aim- Exploring the scope of Designing beyond parameters of Arts to include Interdisciplinary views and mindful practices while Designing.
Background of the project more here- ARD 2023
Nature of project- Inquiry based, Virtual Talk/ Creative Arts / Cultural Events
Though our medium is Arts, we believe Science, Arts, Maths, Sociology, Ecology, Psychology, Economy, and all fields of study must work in unison for a holistic approach towards human development. It is this INTERDISCIPLINARY INTERCONNECTEDNESS that we aim to explore and nurture.
I feel positive to explore the possibilities of Conscious designing from all walks of life- from the Pro’s to a common man's perspective, from a specialized to one's everyday life, from flamboyant to deeper depths of happenings… For I feel, this inquiry is not just about Designing, but Consciously creating whatever we are while considering Well being for all.
Project page will be open in March to resume our Spring/ Summer events. Stay tuned!
-Kuldeepa VM
Project Designer
Updates
.Mentioned below are the talks that began January 2024. We are grateful to all the Guests and attendees who made these talks interesting and educating!
Kiri Fagen-Ulmschneider talks about her weaving process and Natural materials.
Julie Nieset talks on the Wetland Ecology and designing while preserving natural areas
Abigail Padfield Narayan talk of one of the Puzzle/ games 'the Olympic Memorandum Cube' from the museum's collection
Vyom Mehta, a high schooler, shares his Creative Puzzles
This flier for Puzzle day special talks represents Phil Nyman's wooden puzzles he has been making and collecting, that he shared in these talks.
The following are excerpts from Introductory talks. More in-depth and formal talks will begin from 2024. We are grateful to all the guests and members for their involvement and encouragement.
Project introductory meet on 16 Nov as part of ARD 2023
Below are selected excerpts from the introductory meet
We are thankful to the following members for joining us.
Abigail Padfield Narayan from Spurlock Museum Savannah Donovan from Urbana Park District Miriam Larson- from Independent Media Center and a Puppet Maker, Phil Nyman– our co-host and Puzzle designer, Mohan Tracy- Fabric Artist, Sandra Anderson- Basketry Artist
Kiri Fagen-Ulmschneider talks about Natural Fibers and plant based dyes
Seth Feldman shares his Story writing experiences.
*The story is not complete here but partially presented for the intro talks.
Designing spaces, brainstorming ideas for joint events.
The excerpts below are part of December meet held on 16 December.
We are grateful to all guest presenters for their active participation in sharing and brainstorming ideas for possible Sprng activities.
Naturescape Play area at APNC by David Subers from Urbana Park District
Fabric refurbishing by Mrs Thiele from Champaign Mized clovers 4-H Club,
‘Water’ poem/ song by Nazanine Agassi from IAS UIUC Library,
Julie Nieset, George Hardebeck for joining us on this meet.
Sanctity of Water
These excerpts are from presentation on the topic given by Dr Sowmya Anand on 5 dec at AACC The talks were in reference to Indian culture.
Intro to Museums- ‘Maintaining natural artifacts’ presented by Abigail Narayan Padfield from Spurlock Museum of World Cultures.
Ucycling Christmas Cards- a sharing buy Doris Lagos Kutz and Principles of Dance by Nazanine Agassi
C Designing talks- 2024
Our talk series starts 14 January with focus on Natural space designing and Designing with Natural Materials.
Handloom weaving, Natural materials, Natural Wetland areas
Guest speakers-
Kiri Fagen-Ulmschneider shared her weaving process with mention of Natural materials/ dyes.
Kiri’s website here and Youtube channel here
Julie Nieset spoke about the Wetland Ecology and preserving these natural areas.
Weaver park Watchdogs Facebook page here
Petition to save the Natural wetland area here
Thnakyou to our Guest speakers and to our attendee friends Dr Sowmya Anand, Nazanine Agassi, Philip Nyman for making these talks and discussion much interesting.
Virtual Exhibit- Earthday special meet
This meet dedicated to Earthday month was an extension of the Virtual exhibit. We walked through the exhibit and casually shared our works as youth groups.We are thankful to
Mrs Thiele- Champaign Mixed Clovers 4H club
Ms Pruski- Centennial Highshool 4H Chargers club
Ms Julie Nieset- Wetland scientist
Ms Sophia Beem- media officer for SECS )Student for environmental concerns)
Mrs Doris Lagos Kutz
Vyom Mehta- co-host and youth representative
Youth members Khushboo and Katherine.
Let’s work together
This project is open for collaborations. If Interested in working together, please submit the form below to get started.