Rock:

The decision to use the painted (or not) rock as a symbol for this project (campaign) was a deeply considered one. The rock is a symbol of reclaiming landscape, rocks are not only formed under pressure – they withstand it. We talk of bedrock when we think about strong foundations. A person who is strong for another is “their rock”, in this scenario everyone is their own rock, inhabiting space, declaring that they deserve to. Rocking the world.

Painting/Writing:

…on the rock. This was decided to make each rock individual (if needed). As a way for people to express themselves if they want to. Mainly it was about the concept of transformation. We have discussed the butterfly as a symbol – as these are linked to spiritual symbolism for rebirth, hope, transformation – powerful concepts have given the nature of the project. We are not limiting what women would like to say or paint on their rock – it is, however, a great symbol for someone to use if they wish – or don’t know how to vocalise what they want to say. (Rock as blank canvas terror!). They may wish to write “I am here” as well as use the tagline when posting to social media, they may not, this is their space to claim.

Claiming Space:

The idea of claiming space is also ambiguous. When side-lined we take up less space or become less visible. When traumatised, people do not want to take up space, they want to shrink away, and hide in a cave. The concept of claiming landscape has obvious colonial connotations – linked with a historic power system.

I Am Here:

Linked to the idea of inhabiting a space, a powerful declaration to others and the self that yes, I am here, and worthy of being so. I am here regardless. Equally (back to ambiguity) – I am here for you.

 We chose something that (like MeToo) wouldn’t be initially obviously about the feminine. We hoped that men would see it (potentially) trending and click. This would raise awareness further; men are less likely to engage or even click on something if it is aimed purely at women on the strapline (or indeed a book written by women. – I do have citations for this claim! Book is at uni on my desk though! Fully researched studies – will add later if needed). If men get angry and respond in a negative manner, this all adds into the social media algorithm.

Social Media:

The use of social media is to engage with a medium entirely of the now. Social media trends happen constantly. It will be an interesting way of documenting the progress of the work – how many people we get to collaborate with. How far does this go – does it take off at all? This is a topic that is very much situated at the moment, there are many celebrities and women artists who are championing the empowerment of women, we hope to (through email outreach) gain further social media traction by making them aware of the campaign – hoping they will either make a rock and photograph it or mention “I am here” in a tweet or on Instagram etc. (Kathleen Soriano, Kate Bryan are always helping to champion emerging women artists, for instance – Davina McCall is a constant voice for women. Phoebe Boswell, Soheila Sokhanvari, Jade Blackstock are hopefully contactable through Jack ) This extra traction is not essential, but would be great, but actually, it is good to consider how far we can get a collaborative project like this to spread without engagement – that would be interesting to reflect on if we don’t gain support that way)

Workshops:

This is about coming together in a physical space, as well as a digital one. About sharing time and coffee and laughter and inhabiting space together while making. About analogue social networking. (Also about getting some photographs going!) A project like this is a snowball –  hopefully we can push it down the hill and it grow and grow.

Accessibility:

There may be people out there who cannot leave the house or cannot physically paint/write on a rock and photograph it. For those that can get a rock and write on it etc, but cannot leave the house, they can photograph it wherever they like in their home if they wish. If it is not possible (or they don’t want to!) to do this side of “ I Am Here” they can still collaborate using the tagline – just writing those three words online makes them part of the work.  As a large part of the project is digital this opens the scope for collaboration to a much wider potential participation.

Safeguarding:

Careful monitoring of social media for triggering images/ triggering language. Being aware of wording – as we are not trained psychotherapists, we have to be careful that we are not inviting women to workshops to unpack feelings etc. (From a risk assessment point of view!) We can be together to enable something safe and creative to happen – to show solidarity and community and support for the sisterhood.

What is the Work?

This work is about the message – but it is also about the relationship between social networks. About collaborating in a digital space with unknown people. Coming together in an alternate world that we are more and more often thrust into – while also coming together in different tangible landscapes through the medium of the digital, all over the world (hopefully!). It is also about legacy, rocks in a landscape.