Abstract
Body mapping is the process of creating life-sized body maps using both art- and narrative-based techniques to visually represent varied aspects of peoples’ ‘lifeworlds’. For more than three decades, body mapping has been applied across diverse fields—including public health, community development, and education—to achieve wide-ranging intended purposes (e.g., healing, empowerment, advocacy, reflection, research translation, etc.). Despite body mapping’s outstanding potential for adaptation to yet unexplored sectors of activity, there is currently nothing written on its implementation in the museum field—where it holds much promise from both a research and praxis perspective. The purpose of this presentation, therefore, is to describe how a body mapping workshop was used as a visitor engagement tool in the context of one university art museum. Specifically, the workshop saw fourth-year art teacher candidates from the National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore, reflect on the key themes of an exhibition at the NIE Art Gallery before creating body maps that responded to and built on those themes. Insights drawn from the candidate’s body maps, written testimonios, and qualitative interviews are shared to illustrate body mapping’s value as a tool for museum-based teaching and learning.
Presenters
Agnieszka ChalasAssistant Professor, Art Education, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, North West, Singapore
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Body Mapping, Art Museum Education, Community Engagement, Embodiment
