Drawing Room engages drawing methods to assist cross-disciplinary research and help participants to explore, connect and map various fields of knowledge.
By providing and nurturing a friendly and supportive environment, Drawing Room allows ECU students to meet practitioners from diverse backgrounds to share and discover new experiences via drawing.
Drawing Rooms curriculum so far, is chronicled here.
Follow them on instagram @ecuad.drawingroom
September 20
taking a line for a walk
mistakes, accidents and creativity
16 participants
Most students came from the Illustration department. Other participants included a psychotherapist, researcher form Estonia and a former teacher from Mexico. Students mentioned to experience fun and relaxation by drawing together, admitting they are under constant pressure of grading and (class & projects) expectations. Programmed creativity: Merit (Estonian researcher) remarked how students use “cliche and templates” to draw, following aesthetic trends (manga and similar) and pre-programmed outcomes.
October 4
beyond reason
intuition, dreams and play
18 participants
David Roomy (Jungian psychotherapist) introduced the subject of dreams as “information below the threshold of conscience which cannot be controlled, but could be applied in creativity.” He analyzes his dreams for last 56 years. Dreams are intimate experiences and for that reason uneasy to share in public. Most drawings adopted surrealists’ aesthetics, reflecting inner & enigmatic visions. Drawing and playing encouraged participation and exchange, generating playful compositions constructed out of unexpected elements.
October 18
piercing eyes
perception, analysis and stimulation
20 participants
Drawing exercises were designed to increase perception and stimulate awareness of the environment. Note by Merit (Estonian researcher):
Drawing is indicating deficiency of creative thinking. Participants seems to be more preoccupied with “how will their work be perceived”, rather than “what they have to say or express”. Participants cherished meeting practitioners form various fields of knowledge, pointing out the Drawing Room provides them with a unique experience to meet and learn from each other.
November 1
far side of the ego
collaboration and sharing
17 participants Collaboration and sharing is always fun and inspiring, allowing participants to free themselves form high expectations. All drawings were done collectively, allowing participants to change dynamics and work “without attachment” to their ego. The session was dynamic and vibrant, with everyone moving form one drawing to another, sometimes spending more time and sometimes adding a minor contribution.
November 15
analogies and metaphors
connections, interactions and associations
20 participants Library provided the biological specimens form the Maritime Museum, a wonderful and unusual source of inspiration. Participants studied these atypical forms, altering and modifying them into diverse subjects using analogies and metaphors. The structure of this event provided a setting for meditative drawing, resulting in high quality works.
January 15
drawing on drawing
conversations and sharing
8 participants
This session provided participants with opportunity to teach and learn form each other. Everyone took a turn to explain their own drawing method or technique, instructing others how to apply particular drawing steps. This session generated a feeling of mutual trust and confidence by sharing personal stories and practice.
January 30
mapping strategies
visualizations
12 participants
This session was introduced by presentation on Situationists and psychogeography mapping & strategies. This was an event of “interpersonal” drawing explorations, where participants had opportunity to create unique
(personal) visualizations and convert them into maps. Participants mostly consisted of a “core group” which formed over time and some of them attended almost every event. This group consists mostly of several former & current students.
February 13
deconstructions
doing & undoing
9 participants
This session encouraged participants to expand their creative process in many directions, including making, unmaking and remaking strategies. Most participants combined collage and drawing to assemble and deconstruct images and forms, which resulted in producing three-dimensional (sculptural) drawings. Some experienced challenging moments, especially when asked to destroy their works and others enjoyed the dynamics and creative process accompanied by unknown results.
February 27
drawing time
performance, action
Drawing is a private and intimate affair. Performance is maybe the most challenging drawing medium, as most people are protective of their privacy. As the sessions progressed, participants felt more and more confident, uncovering the power and energy coming form “live” or performative drawing. This dynamic event engaged certain participants, while others observed what is going on. Performance requires more time and practice than any other type of drawing.
March 12
outside format
breaking rules
8 participants
This session was affected by the news on COVID-19 epidemic, resulting in a reduced number of participants. The event combined informal conversations about drawing and unconfined drawing exercises, independent of any prediction or rule. The evening was dedicated to discuss the Drawing Room events and to gain feedback and better understanding of the state of drawing at the ECUAD in order to prepare program for future events.
Drawing Room is generously supported by the Faculty of Culture + Community and ECU Library & Ron Burnett Library + Learning Commons.
ECU (Emily Carr University) Climate cut is a student-led initiative to help mitigate negative impacts of climate change by challenging students and faculty members to donate 3″ of hair to Matter of Trust where human and animal hair are collected and used to make mats that clean toxic oil spills.
