Laurel Hart provided a brief introduction to the concepts of arts-based research, participatory and relational art, and participatory action research. A brief overview of the Hart’s creative productions served as the basis for a discussion and further exploration of the potential (and problems) of knowledge making within interdisciplinary settings, and across/between the boundaries of institutions and environments, including the contemporary art world, the community, and the university.
The works presented include: Night Lights (http://www.night-light.ca), a web-based and location specific collaborative “DIY” work, where LED lit posters sharing life lessons were posted throughout the Montreal neighbourhood of Mile End; Identity in Hand (http://identityinhand.weebly.com/), which explores anonymity, identity, story and community on public transit, and two performative works, the Living City (www.cityalive.info) and Wade in the Water (http://www.participatorycreation.com).
The artist/presenter has several new international artistic exchange projects presently underway (still in the early stages), and is looking for collaborators from Tokyo and Japan who are interested in co-organizing or participating.
If you are interested to learn more, please contact her at laurelhart@gmail.com; her website is www.laurelhart.net
(Laurel Hart: International Fellow of iii, UTokyo)