Part 5: The Final Phases of Co-Creation
Co-creation is not only in the design, but the physical construction of the artwork! Teams used different methods to transfer their designs from virtual proposals to the physical, creating visually distinct artworks that reflected their unique storytelling dynamics.
On Mondays, I came to Pao Arts Center to support Yuko, Kathy, Elaine, and Amy in their ResLab project. On those evenings, laughter would effuse the theater room where the team worked on their planters, whether it was in sly jokes about baking cookies or playful affirmations for the mural drawings. The next morning on Tuesdays, Cass and I would commute to Sheila’s studio. Bringing together their swift expertise, they problem-solved challenges of constructing a three-tiered wooden table, complete with an elaborate dragon.
Caption: For the wooden planters, Yuko and Kathy digitally drew the designs with approval from Amy and Elaine, which were then printed life-size to match the physical dimensions of the planters, albeit imperfectly and unevenly. Then, sheets of graphite transfer paper were tapped below, allowing for us to trace the designs directly onto the planter box surface! Everyone took part in tracing, and even Elaine’s daughter dropped by to help.
Caption: In Mandarin, Elaine expressed worries to me about her lines not being straight enough. I reassured her, my lines also didn’t perfectly trace the designs. Overhearing our conversation, Kathy showed her own progress and told Elaine, “see, mine is off the line too.” Amy suddenly piped up, with a competitive and playful streak, “mine is off the line more!” Collective laughter followed; Kathy joked, “it gives it more character!”
Caption: Cass and Sheila took up three long, table-length papers to draw their intricate dragon design. To their surprise and satisfaction, the first draft was perfect as it was! They decided to spray re-positioning glue onto the back of the design and with knives, cut out stencils of the design. Meanwhile, Cass’s young daughter helped choose the painting sequence for the bench legs; Sheila asked if Cass approved. Scrutinizing the colors, Cass replied in Mandarin, “差不多啊!” Good enough! She adjusted one color block with a nodding finality, and with that, everyone cheered at another decisive task completed.
IMG Caption: A stencil of the paper dragon design in progress, the cut-outs revealing dark wood underneath.
Caption: Cass found this stenciling process very intuitive and familiar. While carefully cutting around the drawn lines, she talked about how she actually once intended to study art in college and she loved creating paper crafts for her daughters, although she mused they were likely more for herself since they easily moved onto other toys.
Sheila: “I’m so glad you could come, it’s so much fun with other people.”
Cass: “Yes, I enjoy doing this!”
Cass’s daughter: “Me too!”
IMG description: ResLab participant, Brian, spray-paints red cutouts on a cardboard scrap outside in the grass.
Caption:
Brian started experimenting with the red marking paint, deciding that a light coat applied from a distance created the best results. We are excited to see how it all comes together during install on Saturday.
IMG description: ResLab participants, Brian, Yuko, and Kathy face the camera while kneeling down with their respective artworks-in-progress.
Caption: Monday nights at Pao Arts Center has also been a fun way for the teams to see each other’s works in-progress. Our virtual workshops don’t always allow for the casual socializing that our in-person programming allows, so any opportunity to be in community is something we appreciate!