Hiring artists?

[Harold Shinsato]

Has anyone had experience with hiring artists, videographers, story-tellers as part of the Open Space pre-work? I ask because of the success that happened at Agile Open in San Francisco in October this year when they hired Elizabeth McClellan - and I wonder if anyone else has attempted this? What do you think about bringing in artists in an open space not focused on art specifically - and how it could be made to happen?

[Lisa Heft]

Hi, fabulous Harold - yes, many dialogue events, Open Space and otherwise - are further enriched by hiring all of those you mention, including graphic recorders / graphic facilitators such as Elizabeth. In my experience, dialogue is not just spoken word - it is listening, reflection, inner dialogue and so on - and documentation is not just of the oral or text - there are many levels of communication and data exchange, and many levels of showing a group back its conversation and its thinking - from visual metaphor to spoken word pieces to many more / additional forms. I believe the pre-work should include thoughtful attention to what tools, materials, environment, documentation best serves, and often it's clear that visual documentation deepens thinking...

The thing I have found to work is to have the graphic person (if that is the thing you are doing) involved early in the pre-work stage, as they will both know better how their work is best utilized (like...easy for them to hear one voice at a time in Closing Circle and a great time to encapsulate in visuals and metaphor what the group is feeling / noting in their reflection; maybe during sessions they wish to roam around for quick images but they need to know everyone will be talking at once all around the room) and also sometimes they can really help to advise how physical environments can be created...and so on...

[Cynthyny Lebo]

I have filmed an open space like event before and afterwards with short noncommercial digital gear. I think its great to help catalogue the process of oral history, aural processes, mobiles of people in and out of balance or the team. I think it could and does happen with art.

[Harold Shinsato]

Any one have any thoughts about finding a graphic facilitator to help document Missoula BarCamp's open space on May 1 in Montana? We might have a budget and I know it would be a hit as it has been at every other open space tech event I've been to that has used an artist to take notes.

[Lisa Heft]

Good point, Cynthyny. Harold and others - the association for people who do graphic facilitation is the International Forum of Visual Practitioners (IFVP) - looks like there is someone in Bozeman, Montana (which may or may not be close to Missoula geographically). Of course I would still recommend finding out a bit about her like you would any facilitator - if you click on her photo you will see more information about her, see samples of her style and so on - and you can go from there...

Do any other folks know of a graphic facilitator in that area of the world to refer to Harold?

[Harold Shinsato]

Thanks Lisa - Bozeman is a bit over 3 hours - which is practically next door in Montana. Thanks, I'll contact her.

[Cynthyny Lebo]

Wonder if anyone has captured work with Open Space and subject songwriting sessions I heard wind of this weekend ?

Would anyone like to have such a session?
Bo