Thinking with Materials: Short Paper

If we ignore the central role of materials in making, the ‘idea’ of making becomes a technique, or a technology, where something is done to something, the materials, in order to make something, an object. In other words, it is perceived as a goal oriented process with an end product being the main objective. This ignores the action of making, which is a working with rather than a doing to. (Bunn, 2011, p. 21)

Engage with the above quote, Ingold, the first chapter in Encounters with Materials, and one other supporting article from the readings folder, and write a short conceptual paper on what it means to work with materials. Questions you should consider are: According to these authors, what does it mean to be engaged in the material processes of making? What does it mean to think of materials as agentic?  To work with and in correspondence with a material?

Your paper should rely on and create a synthesis of the authors ideas. It should be about 400-500 words and use APA style of referencing. Please limit direct quotes to only a few short phrases as the intent of this assignment is for you to demonstrate your understanding of the central ideas in the readings. Rather than including long direct quotes you should explain things in your own words. This paper will set the foundation for subsequent assignments.

© Sylvia Kind