Representation of the world, like the world itself, is the work of men; they describe it from their own point of view, which they confuse with the absolute truth. - Simone de Beauvoir

In this session, participants explore their own interpretive lens. Using photography and sketching, participants interpret and record their faith community from their unique perspective. Implications for work on the photo-documentary project are explored. In the process participants consider visual point of view and ponder the notion of objective representation.

Goals

Participants will:

• Value each individual's perspective as an interpreter of our world and as a teller of our stories
• Develop the ethics of care and responsibility through the intimate and ethical process of representing others in photography and narrative
• Deepen spirituality through engagement with others and through their work with artistic media
• Engage joyfully in the creation of art
• Learn more fully that there is no "objective" point of view
• Learn how the fundamentals of photography translate to our way of living and interpreting the world more generally
• Experience the roles of photographer/artist and storyteller—visual and/or text—within a faith community

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

• Appreciate the subjective, interpretive nature of representation
• Reflect on their own relationships with their congregation
• Practice capturing visual representations with photographs and sketching
• Appreciate more deeply the interpretive and subjective nature of photography
• Explore links between point of view and Unitarian Universalist faith