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C. Meranda Flachs-Surmanek, Why Wow Studio
LOCATION
Southwest, VA, USA
SPONSOR
Virginia Tech Institute for Creativity, Arts & Technology (ICAT)
COLLABORATORS
Todd Schenk, Bob Leonard and Diksha Pilania
PROJECT DATES
Fall 2020 - present
PROJECT COMPONENTS
- Work Plan & Timeline Development
- Workshop Design & Facilitation
- Partnership Development
- Audience Engagement
Conversation Cubed
Since Fall 2020, I have collaborated with policy and planning scholar Dr. Todd Schenk, theater directors Bob Leonard and Taylor Wood, and designer Diksha Pilania on The Civility Project. Our goal is to integrate the arts and social sciences to develop a new suite of tools that foster civic discourse, utilizing technologies and approaches derived from the performing arts.
Conversation Cubed, one result of our research, is an experiential event that develops skills for dialogue and conflict engagement. Part one of the event explores the use of data, our relationship with power, and the importance of emotions, intuition, and lived experience in dialogue through arts-based exercises. Part two features a series of three structured dialogues on a variety of topics that matter to the given audience. A panel of subject experts interrupt the conversations to suggest new approaches. The panel also invites audience members to intervene using techniques explored in part one.
Conversation Cubed, one result of our research, is an experiential event that develops skills for dialogue and conflict engagement. Part one of the event explores the use of data, our relationship with power, and the importance of emotions, intuition, and lived experience in dialogue through arts-based exercises. Part two features a series of three structured dialogues on a variety of topics that matter to the given audience. A panel of subject experts interrupt the conversations to suggest new approaches. The panel also invites audience members to intervene using techniques explored in part one.