ineffable - an open group process
part of Creative Town Halls program
Balmain Town Hall, Balmain
Jan 20-24 and Feb 17-22, 2025
Ineffable – an open group process, was a concept I initiated as a social experience-experiment, which invites us to navigate the tenuous border between thought and expression. I chanced upon Dr. John Vervaeke, an associate professor and lecturer at the University of Toronto, whose lectures on ‘insights’ remind us that transformative revelations often arise amidst the subtle upheaval of our familiar rhythms—be they daily routines, artistic practices, or even modes of engagement with our surroundings. This provocation led me to re-consider the boundaries of disruption: what defines “just enough” to catalyze new understanding? I would also like to preface that accompanying my thinking, is a Second Edition book by Don Ihde titled Experimental Phenomenology - Multistabilities, published in 2012 by State University of New York Press, Albany
In this inquiry, I recognize that aspects of these insights may elude verbal capture, hinting at the limitations of textual language itself and the potential of creative and embodied language to encapsulate what remains. Twelve artists were invited into this residency-like platform to represent a spectrum of disciplines and methodologies, each bringing a distinct lens through which to examine this phenomenon. Only eight artists expressed their interest in engaging—Alan Schacher, Christine Simpson, Daniel Lopez Lomeli, Hirofumi Uchino, Josh Shipton, Linden Braye, Margaret Roberts and Vilma Bader—forming a temporary collective with myself as the ninth artist, poised for exploration.
As we embark on this journey, I ask all artists to articulate their creative impulses: i) to share an idea or concept that resonates deeply, in whatever form they feel compelled—text, image, sound; ii) to distill their artistic journey into a succinct paragraph that reflects their practices, core values and/or approach; and iii) to specify their availability at Balmain Town Hall during the designated dates, from Jan 20-24 and Feb 17-22, 2025, knowing that their presence is critical to this collective experiment.
In doing so, we embrace an ethos of uncertainty and possibility, allowing for unforeseen connections and collaborations to emerge. This space of inquiry is not merely about the end product; rather, it is a crucible for the ineffable aspects of phenomenon when experience, imagination, and ideas become the language of ‘art’; insights born from both individual and shared experiences, challenging us to consider how we might articulate the inexpressible within our creative dialogues. An associated consideration which accompanies this inquiry is also whether one can observe the values and the taken-for granted beliefs underlying our decision-making processes.
19th December marked the meeting aimed at viewing the Balmain Town Hall. Unfortunately, I found myself unable to obtain a timely response regarding the key necessary for access, and I was completely unaware that an entire booking session with a distinct ID number needed to be generated beforehand. Despite these obstacles, everyone present utilized the gathering as a valuable opportunity to connect and begin their understanding of one another’s artistic practices. There was a palpable sense of common interest in exploring possibilities that extend beyond the prescriptive measures imposed by the prevailing structures and conventions established within the industry.
