TECHNIQUES

Another Way to Listen

Experiment with colors and brushes to help groups reconstruct their individual and collective learning! During this exercise we listen to each other to interpret and paint our experiences.

Written by

Luis Felipe Moreno and Gioel Gioacchino

Edited by

Anna Wolrhab

Developed by

Stages:Community Building* Data Analysis* Problem Identification

Luis, a Colombian researcher, creative and activist, came up with this technique to help participants of RecrearMagnify 2016, Recrear’s annual residency program held that year in Colombia, reflect on what the two weeks of cohabiting meant to them. For the group, the exercise represented a way to reflect both individually and collectively on the meaning of our work together.

What are we trying to understand about the community/group?

We used this technique to understand how participants experienced a collective process. This being said, the technique can also be used to understand how a group relates to their shared spaces, community relationships, or any other shared area of interest. The paintings and storytelling that goes with it, help the researcher(s) to process and analyze the situation.

Why is it important for the community’s/group's development?

This technique uses painting as a means to listen and capture each other’s ideas. There are no right and wrong answers. Instead the exercises ask people to engage their in listening and then interpret what they hear through art. Creativity offers a channel for people to capture and mirror back someone's experience through color, imagery and symbolism.

What do I need?

You need paper to paint on, newspaper to place underneath, water colors/acrylics/pastels/etc, paint brushes, and glasses of water. Make sure to have enough material for the size of the group. It’s helpful to have something to keep time with. If participants are sitting on the floor, you might want to add some cushions for comfort.

How long does it take?

40 minutes

Organization of space and logistics

If you are doing this exercise after a break (we would recommend it) then set up chairs in back-to-back pairs throughout the room. Make sure these chairs are next to a table so that participants can have a surface to work on.

Prepare the material before hand including: placing the different colors of paint on paper plates, filling up the glasses of water. Then distribute the appropriate number of paper (2 sheets), paint brushes, paper plate with paint, and glasses of water next to each back-to-back pair station.

Instructions

Invite participants to sit down in one of the back-to-back chairs set up in the space, we will be doing this exercise in pairs. Explain that the exercise will be used to reflect and share about a certain issue/experience. For example if you use this at the close of your workshop then the prompt is to simply share about your experience in the workshop.

Each pair has to decide who will be the first to share and who will be listening and painting first. Indicate that when their partner is sharing the other person is invited to simply interpret their words in silence by painting. Point out that the silence of the painter is important for the exercise and that the one who is describing shouldn't look at what their partner is painting - this will come later.

Switch roles

After 10 minutes, ask pairs to switch roles in silence. Remind them it's not yet time to show the image that was painted. Make sure if people need more material at this stage that they request it (i.e paper, more paint of a certain color etc)

Share in pairs

Afterwards, each pair will share their painted interpretations of one another's experience.

Finally, the group comes together to share the paintings and their experience in the process.

It's worthwhile doing an audio/video recording of the process - especially the discussion since there's a lot of reflections that come out at the very end.

The main benefit of this technique is the space for reflection it creates. The person narrating their experience has the space to reflect on what has stayed with them, while their partner is invited to listen carefully and transmit what they are hearing through painting. Once both people have had the chance to paint and listen, they are brought into another moment of awareness as they see how their experiences are communicated visually.

The technique also complements verbal with nonverbal forms of communication, thereby broadening how individuals reflect about their experience. The option of using colors also sparks creativity and activates a different part of the brain.

Some of the challenges of this exercise might be the following:

Participants might feel intimidated to paint if they don’t consider themselves a good artist. It’s important to state at the beginning that they should not be worried about what the painting looks like. What’s important is that they try to represent what they hear by painting.
Since pairs are not talking, the person who is speaking can forget that someone is painting what they hear. The facilitator can gently speak reminders to the group to speak slowly and pause occasionally.