- Systemic changes
‘Self-Care in Self-Build’ is a feminist building methodology that creates space for collaborations and new, unknown and experimental results. The blueprint for adaptive, open-source furniture, offers spaces to learn, listen, develop new relationships, and apply shared ownership to the space that is created.
SC in SB is based on methods from alternative education and critical pedagogy, which aims to provide participants with an accessible way of building space collectively.
Building and making is often seen as a field for craftsmen - a world traditionally dominated by men. ‘SC in SB’ deconstructs the jargon in building and construction, which creates uncaring environments of elitist inaccessibility. The methodology aims to break through the assumptions surrounding "ability" and build an understanding of personal ability and so-called agency. The project departs from the premises that by taking care of the built environment, the space will, in return, take care of its community.
'Self-Care in Self-Build' was developed while in residency at Hotel Maria Kapel (Hoorn, NL) during the 'Tender Loving Care' year-long program, for the space of HMK. SC in SB initiated a number of workshops with its local community, including a collective stool assembling session, during the symposium, 'Solid-Care'.
A diagram to collect further the current thinking behind the project. Always under construction, always open for collaboration.
'Self-Care in Self-Build' was commissioned to re-imagine the interior of the public gallery, and workspace of the HMK. Through collective building workshops, using the simple assembling method of zip ties, we made office desks and tables and re-thought what it means to work together as colleagues, artists, and friends, working through the making.
The result of the workshops, a new public space to work, to read, to eat and listen to all of which embody collective care and togetherness. in this time of climate crisis, we need to learn to make sustainable products that promote new lifestyles.
The ever-evolving methodology of 'Self-Care in Self-Build' continuously self-reflects of what it means to be a public art space/residency within a smaller town community. By initiating collaborative and involved open sessions, dinners and workshops during the re-imagination of the space, HMK gathered collective community ownership, influencing the outcomes of the new interior.
