Conscious Designing Inquiry Project
Opens from November ARD 2023
Formally resume from 2024. Some intro talks here.
Submit this form to join our meets.
Monthly talks will be added below as they come.
Conscious Designing project is a creative Inquiry into the Interconnectedness of all things, and how making concious choices can affect the wellbeing of us all. It aims to explore the interdisciplinary connections, while collaborating with diverse groups on the creative platform of Arts.
Though this project is Inquiry based, it can be creative and joyful in nature, bringing some mindfulness to the mix. (See Directions below)
Project can include- Virtual Talks/ Making handmade / Events/ Exhibits
It will highlight 'Materials' in relation to “Dimensions of Water’
Let’s explore how we can think Creatively and execute Consciously while having fun together!
C Designing Virtual exhibit
From 12 April- 30 April, Virtual meet 14 April 3:30-4:30pm
Links to enter the virtual gallery-
Link to Section I- Collaborators
Link to Section II- CommunityArtworks
Please do send us your reviews here and join us for the exhibit virtual meet
This exhibit consists of 3 sections:
I- Collaborators- This include Artworks created by or representing Collaborators.
II- Community creative works - Includes
- The creative works of participants during project workshops and a few pieces from previous workshops that are in sync with the project ideas.
- Creative Upcycling, Refurbished Fabric creations by Champaign Mixed Clovers 4 H Club
- Youth projects done as part of community work or school projects, included here for their innovative thinking for use of sustainable materials.
III- Curator’s pick- Interdisciplinary Artworks/ Multimedia, that were inspiring and potentially be collaborative.
This section opens the week of 21 April to commemorate Earth Day 2024.
We are grateful to the following Collaborators for their support and partnerships in hosting project events.
Spurlock Museums of World Cultures
Students for Environmental Concerns
Phil Nyman, Julie Nieset, Vyom Mehta,
And Jona from Kunstmatrix.
It was a pleasure to be part of the many Ecology educational events for April- Earthday month. A positive sign to see awareness growing for ur environment and co-creatures! The highlight though was Sustainapalooza a big event hosted by SECS at the UIUC Quad 22 April. Some snapshots below.
Some snapshots of our first event in the series-
Exploring Mosaic Crafts at Spurlock Museum’s family friendly Sunday event.
Thanks to Ms Abigail for all the efforts setting up and facilitating, and to Phil for leading the Puzzle making table.
Spring-Summer C Design events 2024
More details will be added as they come. Stay tuned!
Background of the project, in the PDF below. Audios of Virtual Talks, at the end of the page.
In-person events will follow the latest CDC guidelines and will be informed to all attendees signed up to meet.
Submit this form to join our meets.
24 March National crafts month (zoom meet)
31 March- ‘Mosaics with reused papers’ at Spurlock Museum of World Cultures 1:00-3:00pm
- Celebrate National Crafts month by joining Ascend Art 360 and Spurlock in making mosaics from recycled paper. Get creative as you craft images of the sun, animals, the ocean, or whatever inspires you. Event link here
14 April- Earthday-month special (virtual event)
22 April- Earth day event Sustainoplooza with SECs‘
4:00- 8:00pm. at The QuadWe will host interactive art activities at this event.
-Sustainapalooza will take place on April 22nd from 4-8pm on the Main Quad of the UIUC campus. This is a student run festival to celebrate earth day in our local community. There will be live music, food, vendors, RSOs, community groups, and an art show. More information will be shared soon, check out @uiuc_sslc on Instagram to stay updated.
24 May - Int. Bio-Diversity day- Month virtual meet 3-4pm
19 May- Nature Hike at Busey Woods with Julie Nieset 3-4:30pm
Come for a gentle walk through Busey Woods to explore how science and art can be woven together in developing a ‘Sense of Place’ to our land.2 June- Environmental day- Month virtual meet 3-4pm
9 June- Book talks at Lincoln Square Mall with Philip Nyman 2-4pm
at Lincoln Mall, Urbana. join us to explore Books around the topic- Inner-n- Outer environment. Including some Puzzle fun
Directions for conscious methods of Designing-
‘Conscious’ can be a vast and vague concept.
For the sake of tangible Designing work on this project, we will streamline its parameters as follows:-
Note- Although it might be challenging to adhere to these criterions we strongly encourage these be considered thoroughly.
Goal/ Intentions/ Purpose- Do you have a specific purpose (could be as simple as to enjoy the process). Will it be pro or against wellbeing for all.
Functionality- Does your designing serve a purpose or utility (ex: create joy or companionship or use for). Durability- 1- of design 2- of Materials
Materials- First option- Is it possible to Reuse.
If procuring new- is it Sustainable?. Sourced from ethical channels,
Ethical methods- Will it harm anything, anyone while its creation process, before, or after?
By products- created before after or during the process Approx carbon footprint
Emotions- what emotions would you like to build upon. What feelings would you like to generate through your Designs.
Acknowledgements:
As a Project designer I was fortunate to meet many interesting Designers/ Makers/ Naturalist/ Staff/ Friends/ who inspired and helped propel this project ahead.
I am Grateful to -
Phil and Sayee, my advisors and guilds, for their encouragement and inspirations
Abigail Padfield Narayan (from Spurlock Museum), Hannah Smith (for Lincoln Square Mall) , Julie Nieset (Wetland Scientist) for leading and/ or hosting our collaborative events
Claire Sullivan (from SECs), Vyom Mehta (VP CHS FBLA) , for their enthusiasm in participating as Youth collaborators
Though not directly part of the events, sincere thanks to
Naza Agassi (dancer), Alice Yumi Sinzato (artist), Savannah and David (from Urbana Park District), Doris (friend) for their support and good wishes.
To Seth Feldman and Phil Nyman for our inner-outer talks that were partly responsible for giving the Concious Designing project, its depth.
Phil Nyman Cat Puzzle on the flier for puzzle day talks
Olympic cube from Spurlock Museum's collection presented by Abigail Padfield Narayan.
Vyom Mehta's samples for decorative puzzles
Julie Nieset 's presentation on Native plants and. their benefits
Kiri Fagen-Ulmschneider talks about Handloom weaving process and material and natural dyes
Naza Aassi talks about her dance piece- 'sea weed'
Chair Sullivan from SECs talks about their initiatives
Zeroish waste 'No worry Dolls'
Julie Nieset shares some local plants that spring in early Springtime
We are Thankful to all collaborators for co-hosting and supporting project events.
Group Event Collaborators:-
- Abigail Padfield Narayan- Spurlock Museums of World Cultures
- Phil Nyman- Puzzle Designer and Co-host C Designing virtual events
- Julie Nieset- Wetland Scientist
- Claire Sullivan- Students for Environmental Concerns
- Vyom Mehta- V P CHS FBLA
- Hannah Smith- Lincoln Square Mall
- Kuldeepa VM- Project designer Ascend Art360
Virtual Exhibit- Earthday special
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.
February virtual meet
This meet highlighted the Special days of feb- Wetlands day (Water) and Valenine’s day (love) and their common factors.
Our Guest from SECs, Claire Sullivan shared their environmental work.
Julie Nieset shared some local plants that bloom in early Spring.
Naza Agassi spoke about her thoughts on similarities of Art and Water with a clip from her dance.
Phile Nyman spoke of Thales’ philosophy of Water'
‘Puzzle Day’ special
‘Puzzle Day’ special Designing meet on 28 January. Video here
Thankful to our Guests-
Phil Nyman, a lead IT Infra specialist at U of I,
Abigail Padfield Narayan, Manager of academic programs, Spurlock Museum
Vyom Mehta, a Hight schooler, VP of local 4-H Youth club
The talks explored various categories of Puzzles their designs, benefits and process of solving..
The video of this talk will be released soon.
Designing- Handloom weaving and Natural spaces
This first talks open our C Designing Inquiry project 2024
Guest speakers:
Kiri Fagen-Ulmschneider talks about her weaving process and Natural materials.
Kiri’s website here and Youtube channel here
Julie Nieset talks on the Wetland Ecology and designing while preserving natural areas.
Links to Weaver park Watchdogs, Petition to save the Natural wetland area here
The video of this talk will be released soon.
Thnakyou to our Guest speakers and to our friends Dr Sowmya Anand, Nazanine Agassi, Philip Nyman who joint us in making the talks interesting.
Introduction
As we start the C Designing Inquiry, sharing some thoughts, Questions, background about the project.
This audio can be read here