How does a gesture remain? How is my imagination of a landscape related to a picture book from 1890? In the workshop “Performing/Archiving ‘Object Lessons’”, I invite us to trace the intricacies of gestures of showing/seeing and explore the connections that weave through our shared histories, imaginations, and the pages of historical picture books of the so-called object lesson method.

Archiving is a political act and urges us to question whose stories are being told, how we know through archives and whom these archives serve. Rehearsing a decolonial critique of archiving, we consider how archives resonate with our present cultures, imaginations and conflicts.

We take up the archival document as a score – always open for variance in repetition, never fully settling. What conversations, what imaginaries, what gestures become possible with and against the archive? Together, we'll reactivate archival materials through our bodies, conversations, and creative processes.

This workshop is born from my research in the history of arts education through which I seek a decolonial critique of picture books from the 19th/early 20th century in Portugal and Germany. Despite this entry point into the topic of archiving/performing, the workshop aims to offer valuable reflections for anyone interested in performative arts, archives, arts education and decoloniality.

A nourishing breakfast/brunch is included to strengthen us along the way.  

The workshop will take place across languages (EN/PT). 

I am looking forward to sharing thoughts, movements, time, conversations and food with you!

Melina