Object Companionship

An Artistic Research Method and Object-Led Praxis in Participatory Theater

Authors

• Mari Rusi-Pyykönen

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54916/rae.119526

Keywords:

artistic practice-led research, object companionship, object-oriented practice, bricolage, new-materialism, instrumental paradigm

Abstract

This paper focuses on two key perspectives of my artistic doctoral research. First, Born from the moment, focusing on my improvised, group-centred working approach with found objects in the context of process drama (one of the forms of participatory theatre). Second, Thinking by hands with found objects. This perspective addresses the use of the bricolage practice (Rogers, 2012) and the object-oriented, material-concrete activity as a process work method in the practical part of my research. Likewise, the paper draws attention to the effects of neo-liberal politics that lead to instrumental, project-based design of participatory theatre practices. The scope of the paper is limited to explore my object-oriented working methods.