Authorship and Autobiography
We began by experimenting with some
mirroring exercises. In pairs we had to copy each other’s movements, which was
interesting as we seemed to reach a point where neither of us knew which one of
us was initiating the actions. Moving seemed to become an almost instinctive,
shared action. I think this exercise really highlighted for me the ways
that we mirror the behaviour of others, becoming like those we spend a lot of
time around, and copying the mannerisms of those we do not know too well in an
effort to fit in. Again, this seems to be due to not wanting to be classified
as “other”. These ideas are raised in Sophie Calle's letter, which also questions identity.
We were asked to bring in an image of someone we find
interesting, and to create a short biography for them. I chose Anastasia
Nikolaevna Romanova, a famous Russian princess who was murdered but sparked
many rumours that she was still alive.
We then had to create a series of
actions for someone else’s biography to perform whilst it was read out. This
seemed to reflect how our identity and our story is perceived different by
everyone who comes into contact with us. Lastly, we had to bring a picture of absolutely anything,
and we were asked to write a short paragraph/story about it. I brought in a
photo of the Northern Lights, choosing to write from the perspective of a child
raised in the environment. This caused me to consider how our identity is
shaped by landscape.
Recently, we have also been thinking about collective biography, explained in Browyn Davies' and Susanne Gannon's article. I have also been reading an article on 'Self and Identity' by Mark R. Leary and June Price Tangney which explores many of the themes we are encouraged to consider during the module.
Recently, we have also been thinking about collective biography, explained in Browyn Davies' and Susanne Gannon's article. I have also been reading an article on 'Self and Identity' by Mark R. Leary and June Price Tangney which explores many of the themes we are encouraged to consider during the module.
- Sophie Calle's letter, https://blackboard.bangor.ac.uk/bbcswebdav/pid-2321096-dt-content-rid-3840242_1/courses/Combi_UXB2121_UXS2121_201617/Sophie%20Calle.pdf , 2004
- Bronwyn Davies and Susanne Gannon, Collective Biography and the Entangled Enlivening of Being, https://blackboard.bangor.ac.uk/bbcswebdav/pid-2325486-dt-content-rid-3845899_1/courses/Combi_UXB2121_UXS2121_201617/Davies%26Gannon_Collective%20biography%20%26%20the%20entangled%20enlivening%20of%20being.pdf
- Mark R. Leary and June Prince Tangney, 'The Handbook of Self and Identity', https://blackboard.bangor.ac.uk/bbcswebdav/pid-2325482-dt-content-rid-3845896_1/courses/Combi_UXB2121_UXS2121_201617/handbook_of_self_and_identity_-_second_edition_-_ch._4_pp._69-104_38_pages.pdf
Great reflection on the workshop. Try to include some references - for example, see if you can find some information about mimicking as a way of putting people at ease. There are lots of readings to guide you on the Blackboard site, please include a few to show you have read them!
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