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As a disabled artist with a background in access and equality, I consider barriers to participation in all areas of life. So it is the same in my artwork. Socially engaged work requires communicating in different ways and through different formats, otherwise you end up with a narrower range of perspectives. We see the same narratives recorded throughout history; life seen through just one lens. To really reflect and absorb the fascinating nuances and richness of life, an artist needs to acknowledge the intersectional experiences that bring colour and depth to each individual's story. It goes without saying that if you want a breadth of interaction and a diverse, intersectional spread of voices to inform your work (and life experience), enabling access is fundamental.
During lockdown many people have had to adapt their working practices and use technology to connect with people in new ways. The great thing about technology is that when used correctly it can open doors to people who otherwise would have remained side-lined. Sure, it's a little frustrating that it takes a pandemic to get a workforce to embrace more inclusive practice, but for those of us who have been begging for change for so long, it really is welcome. We are just crossing our fingers that these changes will be here to stay. There is also a note of caution to be had amongst this flurry of excitement and zoom calls. Improving communication and connection with others requires thought, even when using technology. BSL interpreters and use of live captions, are an expected norm within disability circles. These provisions are quite do-able, yet disappointingly, I still see posts where friends share how they have been excluded from online school meetings, online doctor consultations, live performance streams etc. And sometimes really simple things can make a big difference. Taking turns to speak, and muting your microphone when not talking, just makes common sense if you want to understand what someone is saying to you, and you want everyone to be able to contribute. There is a lot of learning that can come from the disabled community, as we have a lifetime of being resilient in changing circumstances, and finding ways to adapt. That is not to say that we have all the answers, or know about every piece of software, or all the latest apps. We are also always learning. And discovering. And being curious.
There are always new things to explore and experiment with. And this video, posted at the top of the page, is one such thing. It seems like an interesting alternative for canvassing people's views on launderettes, and I'd love as many readers of this blog as possible, to act as guinea pigs and try it out for me. Initially it seemed like the perfect way to reach audiences and for them to share their thoughts on laundry with me. However, response so far has been very slow, and I have been trying to put myself in different positions to see why this might be. Perhaps you could watch the video (2 mins 20 secs) and in your response, let me know any reservations you initially had? I'm hoping this will be an accessible tool that I can use beyond this project, so feedback on use-ability would be really appreciated. Plus, I'd love to know all your laundry secrets...
Video link is below image at top of page.
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