Keynote presentation by Peace Paper at the 2012 Buckeye Art Therapy Association on the topic of art as social action, focusing on lecture and visual content related to utilizing papermaking and creative expression as a cathartic process to give meaning, create transformation, and provide empowerment through releasing and reforming fibers into new stories and new beginnings.
1. Margaret Mahan, BA
Drew Matott, MFA
Gretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC, CTC
Peace Paper Project
2012 Buckeye Art Therapy Association Symposium
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6. Deep Fried
Book
Chicago, Illinois
Sculptor and conceptual
artist John LaFalce
(Buffalo, NY) and Drew
Matott set out to create
an edition of altered
books that were battered
and deep fried.
10. Peace Paper works to empower bereaved
communities by engaging in collaborative art
processes addressing peaceful reconciliation and
positive forward thinking. Through paper, writing,
book, and printmaking activities, we work together
to transform significant articles of clothing into
works of art which broadcast personal stories,
mutual understanding and healing.
11. Meaningful clothing, fiber, fabric
Tell story associated with the
experience of item brought:
Reflections, memories, feelings
Breaking Rag
Fiber-> pulp-> paper
Create art with handmade paper
Creative writing
Process experience and art
19. Children’s
Village
Dobbs Ferry,
New York
Photo: Rivertowns Enterprise, July 2012
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23. Art Therapy & Social Activism
• Art expression & the creative process can help
empower interpersonal awareness important to
societal and community issues
• Engage the connection & increase consciousness
between the individual & society through art
• Art can serve & create a voice for vulnerable &
marginalized populations
• Facilitated outside the traditional therapy environment
Source: Franklin, M. (2010). Global Recovery and the Culturally/Socially Engaged Artist
24. Portable Papermaking
Adaptations
• DIY Mould & Deckle:
Stretcher Bars/Picture Frame
Window Screen
Staple Gun
• Specialty Pulps (Dick Blick)
• Plastic Bin to serve as vat
• Felt Squares for couching
• Sponges & Towels
• Blender
25. Papermaking with
Survivors of Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center, Cleveland, Ohio
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29. • Empowering
• Affirming
• Creates a voice
• Process and
product
symbolizes a new
beginning &
starting over
• “I am here”
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31. “…Allows penetrating access to the original impulsive
urges while also transforming these urges into artistic
compositions.”
“Artistic sublimation is a way to be inwardly and socially
productive with personal urges and disruptive behaviors.”
“The visual symbols created in this process can retell the
autobiographical story of one’s emotional inner life.”
Source: Franklin, M. (2010). Global Recovery and the Culturally/Socially Engaged Artist
32. Sensory based art-making
Self soothing
Repetition and relaxation to be
present in the here and now
Starts with concrete steps,
ending with making meaning
Provides containment, yet an
emotional release to safely
share experiences and
emotions through destructing
and reconstructing
33. Edgewood College,
Madison, Wisconsin
Creating a papermaking
& art therapy curriculum
for art therapy
undergraduate students
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35. THANK YOU!
Marshae Amarante & Symposium Program Committee
Michele Tarsitano-Amato & BATA Board of Directors
Margaret Mahan | margaret@peacepaperproject.org
Drew Matott | drew@peacepaperproject.org
Gretchen Miller | gretchen@peacepaperproject.org
peacepaperproject.org
Follow Peace Paper’s travels on Facebook:
facebook.com/peacepaper
Hinweis der Redaktion
Adapting the paper studio to different communities, holding community workshops, training programs, and residencies.
While we alter each workshop to fit each unique community, we typically carry the same basic processes throughout.
An example of a papermaking workshop.
Spring 2012, went to Istanbul with the support of the TCF, and Mayor FazliKilicBrought in to teach traditional Islamic papermaking, Set up studio in KagitHaneUnder construction, so we set up outside, trained the construction workers and everyone in between.
Given construction, evolved into a form of intervention art.Mosque was our base of operations, people coming and going would stop to make paper.
Weekend activities, worked with orphan children,Children who stayed on weekends,Using mould– watermark custom for the kids
Pulped their clothes and bedsheets.Awesome combo of technical and creative.
Students will begin interning and running kagithane paper house in time.
Brought in by art therapist Mia de BethumeJuveniledilinquency program
Introduction for Gretchen
For paper use only. Mobile- everything fits in the plastic bin/vat.
Using paper: journal writings, magazine photo collage, letters to self, letters to the abuser, feelings
Art journaling group transitioned into papermaking
Adding dried flowers to pulp
Drying paper of the windows
Since starting this process, she is sharing more of her writing w/ other survivors, the community, bringing awareness about domestic violence
March 2011- visit to Edgewood College in Madison, WI w/ undergrad students invited by Janice Havlena- Drew helped design the college’s papermaking studio, Janice has been working on designing an art therapy curriculum & papermaking program for individuals living w/ epilesy- example of the application in the academic setting with students and taking portable papermaking into the community.…. Undergrad students will be designing projects for portable papermaking out in the communitiy.