After watching the film about Christine Sun Kim’s work and practice, it’s fascinating to understand how she integrates her personal experience into her work and uses her disability at the centre of her processes. It’s inspiring to reflect on how this could influence my teaching methodologies, ensuring that, pedagogically, I provide an inclusive learning experience. It also initiates a dialogue with students about adopting a multisensory approach to communication, recognising that audiences will interact with their work in diverse ways.
In my current role, I prompt students in a specific upcycling workshop to engage with the tactile nature of garments they’re repurposing. Drawing inspiration from Christine Sun Kim’s film, I could enrich this workshop by delving deeper into the broader realm of sensory experiences, such as a series of shorter activities focusing on the physical senses. Recognising how these focused experiences shape our engagement with materiality could get them thinking about how they can also be aware of accessibility.
Christine’s practice offers valuable insights for educators teaching students with deafness or other physical disabilities that may limit their learning experiences. If I were to screen Christine’s film about her journey, I could initiate a dialogue surrounding the importance of inclusivity in audience engagement and the benefits of viewing our practices from diverse perspectives with students.
The movie touches on Christine’s challenges with language during her early years – navigating the complexities of her parents learning English while also trying to understand sign language. Language barriers resonate with many students, especially those for whom English isn’t a native tongue and who are new to the UK’s academic system. Embracing the idea that creative endeavours serve as universal communicative mediums — transcending linguistic and cultural boundaries — could significantly bolster my connection with these students.
Available here: https://vimeo.com/31083172 [Accessed on 29th July 2023]