How does a gesture remain? How is my imagination of a landscape related to a picture book from 1890? In the workshop “Performing/Archiving ‘Object Lessons’”, Melina invites us to trace the intricacies of gestures of showing/seeing, the connections that weave through our shared histories, imaginations, and the pages of educational picture books of the so-called object lesson method from the late 19th century.

Archiving is a political act and urges us to question whose stories are being told, how we know through archives and whom these archives serve. Rehearsing a decolonial critique of archiving, we consider how archives resonate with our present cultures and imaginations.

We take up the archival document as a score – always open for variance in repetition, never fully settling. What conversations, what imaginaries, what gestures become possible with and against the archive? Together, we’ll reactivate archival materials through our bodies, conversations, and creative processes.

Despite the specific entry point into the topic of archiving/performing through the picture books from the late 19th century in Portugal and Germany, the workshop offers valuable reflections for anyone interested in performative arts, archives, arts education and decoloniality.

A nourishing breakfast/brunch is included to strengthen us along the way.

The workshop will take place across languages (EN/PT).

Registration: For registration to the workshop (limited spots) please follow this link: https://forms.gle/KNHJffDFZJQmzssJ9

Melina is looking forward to sharing thoughts, movements, time, conversations and food with you!

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Melina Scheuermann (she/he), is an educator, writer and researcher in art education and visual culture/history. She is currently a PhD candidate in Art Education at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto and a fellow of the Institute for Research in Art, Design and Society (i2ADS/FCT Ref: 2022.12937.BD).

Financial support: Government of Portugal – Ministry of Culture | Directorate-General for the Arts

In collaboration with Teatro de Ferro, CorpoRaíz and Sekoia – Artes Performativas.