Viola Rekvényi

Stepping Inside IMAG:: An Alternative Zone of Exploration

Viola Rekvényi, with Gabriella Pataky – ELTE Faculty of Primary and Pre-School Education, Budapest, Hungary, Maho Sato – Chiba University, Japan, Jonathan Silverman – Saint Michael's College, Vermont, USA

Abstract:

IMAG:: invites you to actively enter the inner territory of an IMAG:: production. In a supportive and joyful workshop, we would like you to experience the culture of both composing a visual essay and the creation of a model on-the-spot journal. We ask you to come with openness to unbounded discovery as you will respond to prompts that connect to the Congress theme “Unexpected Territories.” By altering traditional presentations (didactic, for example, “this is what IMAG:: does and here is information on what a visual essay is and how to submit”) to one that is non-traditional (participatory, hands-on, engaging, perceiving, and observing) you will have the opportunity in a collaborative environment to be an author and editor. IMAG principal co-editors will guide everyone in a workshop that both provides an inside look at the often mysterious process of creating a visual journal from theme to publication as well as the particulars of submitting to IMAG in the future. IMAG was conceived as an alternative, a contemporary juried journal that would expand the concept of professionalism, provide inspiration for curricula ideas, nurture artistic identity and the creative process, and be accessible to art educators from all global regions and who work in a variety of settings from primary school to universities, from community programs to museums. The principal co-editors of IMAG:: wish that such a session will attract InSEA members who might have anxiety about the world of publication, inhibited by implications of traditional academic scholarship, or just curious. In the spirit of IMAG:: as a resource for all we welcome new and familiar authors willing to challenge themselves, bring out their imaginations, and connect in an openhearted alternative zone of exploration.