Material Circle
Material Circle
Material Circle is an intimate, open conversation hosted by THIS IS US exploring the stories materials carry.
Inspired by oral storytelling traditions such as story story and tales by moonlight, selected speakers will share personal, cultural, and creative reflections on materials such as cotton, raffia, indigo, clay, hibiscus, wood, beads, dye plants, natural fibres, and found objects.
Following each speaker’s story, there will be an open conversation with guests in the room about their relationship between materials, people, places and memories.
PROGRAMME
Please prepare to speak informally for around 4–5 minutes. You may focus on one material, one memory, one object, or one story. You are welcome to bring a physical material, object, swatch, tool, photograph or reference if helpful.
Doors close at 6:30pm
6:00–6:30: Mingling
6:30–6:45: Opening Address by Oroma & Seetal
6:45–8:00: Conversations
WHAT TO BRING INTO THE CONVERSATION
We invite you to come with any of the following:
A short story about a material you use
A memory connected to a material
A question you are still asking about a material
A takeaway from your practice
A short excerpt from a book, poem, essay, proverb, song, archive or family story
An object, sample, image, swatch or tool connected to the material
A reflection on where the material comes from and who is connected to it
You do not need to prepare a formal speech. Think of this as something you might share in a room of thoughtful people gathered to listen, remember and exchange.
Here are questions to think about:
What material do you want to speak about?
How did you first encounter it?
Where does this material come from?
What does the material reveal about land, environment, farming, trade or local knowledge?
Who taught you about it?
What kind of labour is often hidden behind it?
What memory does this material hold for you?
Does the material carry nostalgia, comfort, pride, grief, humour, longing or tension?
What does this material mean culturally?
How does the material connect to identity, belonging or heritage?
How does this material behave when you work with it?
What has your material taught you about patience, care, process or limitation?
What is the economic story behind this material?
Who benefits from it?
What do you want people to understand differently about this material?
What should be reimagined?
Below are a few prompts to get you flowing:
“The first time I remember this material…”
“This material has taught me…”
“Behind this material are the hands of…”
See you soon,
THIS IS US TEAM