the Rolodex Project// On Leadership
2018-2019
An interactive installation exploring leadership values through video, movement, and sculpture.
the Rolodex Project// On Leadership brought the thinking, discussion, and participatory art-making of the Rolodex Project// to a larger community audience.
What does it mean to be a leader in this particular time and place? What leadership attributes do we value? Who are the leaders who have touched our lives and what is it about them that inspires us? What can we learn from them about who we are and who we want to be?
This installation presented Juneau community-member responses to these questions through a variety of mediums. I believe deeply in community dialogue, and I make art that presents opportunities to have those conversations in unexpected ways. Here, community thoughts were translated through the lenses of video, movement, sculpture, and poetry. Each piece grew and changed over the lifetime of the exhibit. Gunalchéesh to all the Juneau community members who added their contributions.
We Value These//
collaborative dance video
Participants were asked to select one quality they value in a leader and create a gesture to represent it. Together, these gestures are a collaborative dance showcasing leadership qualities valued by Southeast Alaskan community members. Shown are: Listening, Reaching Behind to Bring Others Forward, Strength, Teamwork, Listening, Stepping Forward, Listening To Yourself; Listening To Others, Pushing Others to Leap Forward; Catching Them When They Do, Stepping Outside of Normal, Bending to Lift Others Up, Gratitude, Magnanimity, Boldness & Bravery, Collaboration By Listening, Humor, Vision, Collaboration, Inclusivity, Stoicism, Action, Thoughtfulness, Compassion, Optimism, Joyfulness, Strength, Empowerment, Encouraging Others, Cooperation, Wisdom, Starting From the Bottom; Growing.
External // Internal
wood - metal - paper
What qualities does the external word value in a leader? What leadership qualities do we personally value? What are the similarities and differences between what we personally value and what the external world values?
The blue notecards and teal wooden squares represent leadership qualities the external world values. The pink notecards and magenta wooden squares represent leadership qualities individuals in the Juneau community personally value.
Participants wrote responses on the notecards provided and add them to the wooden squares. They spun the squares and thumbed through the notecards to see other’s answers to the same questions.
Leaders Among Us //
interactive sculpture
Who are the leaders who have touched our lives and what is it about them that inspires us? What can we learn from them about who we are and who we want to become?
Participants wrote the names and qualities of people who’s leadership has been important to them, and filed them alphabetically in the Rolodex. They spun the Rolodex to read the notecards and learn about leaders among us.