Solastalgia: conflict and the fabric of life. Transdisciplinary creative practice research approaches.

Alberto Alvarez-Jimenez; Karen  Barbour; Rodrigo Hill; Xavier Meade; Declan Patrick; Marcos Mortensen Steagall

doi:10.24135/link2022.v4i1.201

Alberto Alvarez-Jimenez University of Waikato
Karen Barbour University of Waikato
Rodrigo Hill University of Waikato
Xavier Meade Independent researcher
Declan Patrick University of Waikato
Marcos Mortensen Steagall (Translator) Auckland University of Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24135/link2022.v4i1.201

Keywords: Dance, Embodied Research, International Humanitarian Law, Lens-Based, Transdisciplinary

Abstract

The focus of this keynote presentation is to explore the value of transdisciplinary and creative practice research approaches to address complex concepts and principles. One of the outputs of this research was Solastalgia: conflict and the fabric of life, a gallery installation exhibited at Ramp Gallery in August 2023. This collaboration began with conversations between researchers in law, and visual and performing arts, in relation to international humanitarian law, specifically the principles of distinction and proportionality. As the research progressed, the pivot point became the investigation of the concept of solastalgia – the civilian experience of pain and distress caused by destruction of home and home environments. In the broadest sense, all research involves the researchers’ embodiment and especially so in arts-based and creative practice research. More specifically, using embodied research methods to gather and express complex nuanced understandings means paying attention to embodied experiences and their meanings in every moment of research. The work of movement/dance artists draws on heightened attention to sensory input, to proprioception and kinesthetic awareness, the thoughts and emotions in lived experiences in relationship with others and environments around us. In parallel, painting and lens-based approaches engage as methodological and curatorial strategies to immersive and sensorial bodily interpretations. Here responsive painting, photography, video of live and place-based performances were combined to bring nuanced insights into the many layers of the concepts and principles addressed. Bringing un-alike disciplinary knowledges into dialogue through embodied research, art practice and multi-media gallery installation, led to a variety of research iterations, including written, performed and exhibited outcomes. In sharing this keynote, researchers Alberto, Rodrigo, Karen, Declan and Xavier offer insights generated from engaging in transdisciplinary through creative practice research approaches. The research team will unpack and discuss creative practice processes, decisions and iterations as part of a complex methodological system that culminated in the curation of Solastalgia: conflict and the fabric of life as a multimedia gallery installation.

Author Biographies

Alberto Alvarez-Jimenez, University of Waikato

Dr. Alberto Alvarez-Jimenez, is a Colombian and Canadian citizen, based in Aotearoa New Zealand. He holds a PhD degree from the University of Ottawa, a Master of Laws from McGill University, and law degree from Universidad de la Sabana. Currently, he is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of Waikato and his area of research and expertise is international law.

Karen Barbour, University of Waikato

Karen Barbour is Associate Professor and Head of Te Kura Toi School of Arts at The University of Waikato. Creativity and embodiment frame her academic research in dance, video/digital dance and creative practice in the arts. She has a particular interest in site dance, relationships to place and environmental change.

Rodrigo Hill, University of Waikato

Rodrigo is an established exhibiting artist both in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally specialised in gallery installations and publications. Rodrigo’s creative interests are rooted at the intersection of lens-based and documentary approaches in which photography plays the role of representing layered ‘place-imaginaries’. Rodrigo holds a PhD in practice-led research and is a lecturer at the University of Waikato School of Arts Screen and Media. Rodrigo’s research explores the multiple possibilities that surround photographic practices and how photography is used as a way to perceive and make place.

Xavier Meade , Independent researcher

Xavier is a visual artist, born in Mexico, living more than half his life in Aotearoa (New Zealand). His practice is in the fields of painting, photography, graphic design, calligraphy, eco design and architecture. Retired tutor and researcher at Wintec in Kirikiriroa. His collaborative poster projects, paintings and photography have been exhibited in Aotearoa, Mexico, Cuba, Spain, Scotland, USA and Croatia. His work has been published in various national and international books and magazines.

Declan Patrick, University of Waikato

Declan Patrick is an academic and theatre practitioner working across performance, dance and video. His research takes the form of traditional academic publications and performance. As a theatre practitioner, Declan Patrick has worked as an actor, singer, dancer, playwright, director, choreographer and producer. He has worked as artistic director of a number of companies, and his performance company, Fighting Fit Productions, has made work and toured in New Zealand, the Philippines, China, the United Kingdom and Spain. He is currently a senior lecturer in Theatre Studies at the University of Waikato.

Marcos Mortensen Steagall, Auckland University of Technology

Marcos Mortensen Steagall is an Associate Professor in the Communication Design department at the Auckland University of Technology - AUT since 2016. He is the Communication Design Postgraduate Strand Leader and Programme Leader for Communication Design and Interaction Design for Year 3. He holds a Master's (2000) and PhD (2006) in Communication & Semiotics acquired from The Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and a PhD in Art & Design from Auckland University of Technology in 2019. Research interest focus on Practice-oriented research in Design through a Global South perspective.