Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bill Warters on October 29, 2012 at 4:25pm

Hanna, great comments. You have really packed a lot of ideas into one post. I think I'd quite like to live in the perfect world you describe where we find a balance of communication channels. 

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Permalink Reply by Anita Vestal on October 29, 2012 at 6:23pm

Hello Hannah,

Your thoughtful response shows a receptivity to allowing emotions in all forms of dispute resolution, though it seems you feel that mediation is a modality where emotional exchanges are expected. I would like to see further discussion on your point that, 

"...  people are more blunt and direct with written correspondence because they can say and ask for their demands without having to deal with the other party's reaction immediately."

When a mediator or negotiator notices this "bluntness" in written communication and feels it may turn the dialog into a defensive one rather than a constructive dialog, what can be done? Any ideas?

hannah wooldridge said:

Hi Cyberweek people!

I have learned a lot about the importance of connecting and communicating with people effectively in both my professional and personal life. While there are some obvious and major differences between a face to face conversation and one that takes place sitting at a keyboard, I do believe similar goals can be accomplished in the conversation if the matter being communicated about is form of dispute resolution.

I find that communicating in person about solving a dispute can have both advantages and disadvantages.  First, if the parties are unfamiliar, a face to face meeting gives the parties a chance to put a face with a name and feel out each others' personalities. This meeting can help each party predict how the other might behave in a negotiation, mediation, or arbitration. While most would find this meeting to be mostly advantageous to humanize the voice on the other end of the line or the signature at the bottom of letters/emails, a face to face meeting might also change the dynamic of what was once an impersonal relationship to now a recognizable face with feelings/concerns/emotions just like our own.  If the parties have a big business deal at stake, a face to face meeting may not change the dynamic enough to compel the parties to take into account the personal/human side of the parties, but, however, if the matter needing resolution has softer, more human, components, the parties might be more pressured to go softer on the other side and maybe give concessions they would not have otherwise considered if they would have communicated solely through email.

On the other hand, communicating a dispute solely through written correspondence might lead the parties to miss out on making a more creative "deal" in the end. While I am under the impression people are more blunt and direct with written correspondence because they can say and ask for their demands without having to deal with the other party's reaction immediately. This again has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are that both parties feel more compelled to lay out all their demands on the table without holding back  due to emotional constraints. This definitely provides a good outline for demands and solid, honest, starting off point for discussion. The downside to this written dispute resolution is that it might take a lot of correspondence to reach an outcome.

In a perfect world, I believe the two methods should be combined. If the parties began with written correspondence, laying out their demands, sticking points, etc. the formalities are out of the way by the time the parties meet in person and can begin more humanized negotiations.

While I know a lot of emotion can get lost in written correspondence, I don't think it has to, necessarily. Email definitely allows for people to write less formally and even include =) after a sentence to make sure the people on the other end are getting the right idea. So, while I don't believe all hope of reading emotion is lost in online dispute resolution, I am still a proponent for settling disputes using all the information available to each party. Of course, I do believe there is a scale of "importance" when it comes to the matter involved. For instance, if the dispute needing resolution is about turning in a homework assignment or what time to show up for a meeting, this can easily be handled through email. However, if the matter is a divorce, custody issue, contract negotiation, etc, I believe the best way to get to a resolution is ending in person after starting with online correspondence laying out the concerns of each party.

To answer a question initially posed above, I do not think it is a waste of time to allow feelings and emotion to play a role in the resolution of a dispute. I believe most people do not feel as if a resolution has been reached until they can express everything they have wanted to say to the other side.

I think reading and considering emotions is most important in mediation and negotiation, as compared to arbitration, due to the fact that the parties have a chance to see what is important to the other side and why. Sometimes in mediation a party is more satisfied with an apology and showing of sympathy than they would be with a few extra dollars. This could be lost in translation in email correspondence without witnessing the first hand reactions of the parties to certain subjects in dispute. In negotiation, emotions are important for the same reasons. While arbitration is more structured, and binding, the process tends to feel more formal, and less of a conversation, so emotional responses are probably not given as much weight.

To respond to another question posed above (how to tell what another party is feeling/thinking without being able to see them or their reactions can be difficult through email or online, but again, not impossible. For instance, in an email negotiation, both parties have time to craft and detail their responses to each other. People can write about their feelings simply by adding in "I feel this element is necessary because _____" This sentence can accomplish almost the same thing in person. If the negotiation is taking place via live online chat, the parties may have less time and capability to craft their responses. This could make the conversation more realistic in some situations by eliciting real time more dramatic responses, or long pauses which both can send signals to the other side about how they are reacting to the conversation.

All in all I do believe online technology and communication should be utilized more than it should be avoided in dispute resolution. I am under the impression that the more communication that goes into a negotiation or mediation, the more well rounded the resolution will be.

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Permalink Reply by Anita Vestal on October 29, 2012 at 6:57pm

Hi Svana,

Are you familiar with the website, 6seconds.org? I have found many very helpful ideas for recognizing and facilitating emotions. For one, the process recommended says that recognizing and naming feelings increases our ability to express emotion and to manage others' emotions (after we have mastered managing our own). It goes on to state, as I believe you might agree, that emotional literacy is important because it provides the ability to talk about feelings, which in turn, talking about them opens up the choices and alternatives for choosing the feelings that best may serve in a particular situation. 

I seem to always come back to Gandhi's wisdom, we must be the change we want to see in others. So understanding and managing our own emotions is going to allow us to understand and manage the emotions of others (without manipulation, of course)... better to say, help facilitate the emotions of others.

What are your thoughts?

Svana Calabro said:

    Although I agree that there are a number of ways to convey emotion through online interactions, I think it is important to note that peoples’ words can often be misconstrued over the internet, no matter how innocuously they are phrased. What could be seen as a completely insignificant remark by one party can be regarded as a vicious attack by another party. Without any way to assess tone, it can be extremely difficult to determine precisely what the other party is feeling.

   While I do think that features such as emoticons can help to eliminate some miscommunication between individuals, I do not think that such simple, concrete entities can fully express the wide range of human emotions. People never feel just one type of emotion, especially in a situation like dispute resolution, and the resources available for expressing emotion online fail to account for this blend of emotions. Moreover, although people can simply directly state how they are feeling, it is not always easy to concretely articulate one’s own emotions. Emotions that may seem clear in face to face interactions are much more difficult to pin down through written text.

    Although emotion can be difficult to assess online however, it still has to be considered an integral part of dispute resolution. Disputes are spurred primarily by emotion, so simply disregarding emotion for lack of better means of communication is entirely out of the question.  I think, as Hannah said, that the more communication between parties, the better. Since emotion can be so easily misread, individuals mediating disputes online need to spend more time clarifying with both parties exactly what is being said, or checking that both parties are understanding their interaction in the same way, Although analyzing each statement can be tedious, I think it is necessary if mediators want to prevent miscommunication.

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Permalink Reply by Anita Vestal on October 29, 2012 at 7:03pm

Hello Shara, 

I certainly agree that it does take practice to be able to share emotions. On the other hand, it took practice to learn to mediate, too. And it took practice to become comfortable communicating online. Worthwhile lessons take time and effort to learn, do you agree?

The question is "how do we go about getting the practice we need?" When we are involved in an online dispute process, what might we do differently from our current process to dig a bit deeper and give space and respect to the emotions of the parties?

Shara K. Mahoe said:

This is a great topic as online communication is becoming effective then sometimes picking up a telephone and calling someone. I think I'd like to break down your questions and focus on the ways that we do communicate using technology.  We have email which many of us use to describe thoughts on a problem or content.  Text message has become unlimited which allows us to send a quick text in hopes to get a quick response to something.  But these forms of communication can be seen as passive because there's limited effort to get a quick answer.  We could use UPPERCASE or bold or color to make strong points or highlight important points for our reader.  This could show signs of emotions because people interpret text/email edict very differently.  Like Svana said, this often allows individiuals to misinterpret what the composer is sharing.  I'd agree with the last line and saying that it is necessary at any time to ask a question for clarification.  I've often used the term "does this answer your question" which is an open-ended question allowing a yes or no answer.

 

I worked in sales where I was available by email but more so by phone.  Many times I needed to make a decision but after reading a responders text or email it may have confused me even more.  Therefore I picked up the phone and called to get clarification before proceeding.  I guess I wanted to reconfirm.  I may not have seen their face which again plays a role in emotions, but their voice can also tell you their emotion.  I think there also needs to be the ability to trust an email.  But when I say this, email gives us a back up documentation.  I had a supervisor who would sway back and forth on decisions, but when I had that email saying "yes"...i brought it up to cover my choice and reason why I did something.

Lastly I also worked in events where facial expressions say 1000 words.This could be seen as a more active approach.  Being the coordinator of events is also like performing on a broadway stage or being a fish in a fishbowl.  There's people watching you.  I've taken a leadership session where the presenter brought up being the duck in high stressed situation.  This concept references a duck because when we see a duck on water...it's smooth sailing.  However we don't see their web feet going 1000mph under water to allow them smooth sailing.  When we're the duck, we can smile and be happy like nothings wrong, but inside we can freak out.  In sum: being able to check our emotions in the environment we are in.  I remember this concept often when I'm dealing with high-stressful situations.  Being able to call a time out or breathe...allows our minds and heart rate to settle so our decisions won't be so rushed.

Your facial pictures above remind me of the poster "what's your feelings today".  Many of our peers around us deal with situations differently.  I think it really takes practice to be able to share emotions passive and actively.  It's easier when we know our audience but life doesn't deal us these cards often and we need to be able to neutralize our emotions.  So long that we remember to be the duck we can set aside personal and emotional connections to situations.

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Permalink Reply by Leah Wing on October 29, 2012 at 8:09pm

Svana's points about both the importance of emotions and also the present limitations of technology to help us fully express them and have them most accurately 'read' by others presents a continual challenge to those of us interested in capitalizing on the use of technology as a mode of working through conflict in non-F2F settings.  I especially valued her comment about how emotions are "blended."  What ideas do people have about what else besides text and visuals can help us express and capture complex emotions via technology?

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Permalink Reply by Shea Miller on October 29, 2012 at 9:01pm

The school of mediation I was taught was all about trying to get the story to come from the individual rather than making assumptions about what was the underlying problem or narrative. Often times if an assumption is made, as a mediator you can subconsciously guide the line of questioning along and end up with an agreed upon answer that never really solves the problem. Therefore, what I was trained to do was use the clues that the person speaking is giving to see what is really important. That often involves reading the visual clues of a person's face while talking. If you spend the entire session taking notes instead of reading the entire situation it is very likely that something could be missed. Looks of hesitation when a topic is touched on could mean that the area is important but may be socially taboo to discuss. The person could think the issue is about racism or sexism but feels uncomfortable talking about those things so the only hint you get could be from their face. The only way to get people to feel comfortable enough to express these things to you is to make them feel like you can both relate and understand what they are saying. That means not being impartial but multipartial and showing emotion towards the speaker. As a mediator, you actually have no power in determining the outcome, it is solely the decision of the people in mediation. Therefore if you are equally sympathetic to their causes and make them feel like you are on their side they are much more likely to say what they actually want to. It leads to a much better story sharing experience and can get them to admit what is really the problem. Then the resolution process can begin and agreements can potentially be made.

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Permalink Reply by Anita Vestal on October 30, 2012 at 9:13am

Hello Shea,

the "story" is usually rich, isn't it? When the story is shared, emotions usually come along with it, in my experience. You mention looking for clues in the facial expressions (looks of hesitation, etc). Have you looked at the excellent webinar on "Reading People: Reliable Cues from the Face & Body"? If not, it is on the ADRhub.com main page and well worth a look.

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Permalink Reply by Milos Dilkic on October 30, 2012 at 6:12pm

Hi Anita,

in September conversation with professor Lynn M. Malley, discussing about role of humor in DR (brainstormed was Art Dispute Resolution to stand for ADR, just an idea), she has shared these links: combatpaper.org and peacepaper.org. For last 10 years I had experience in interdisciplinary work (applied arts (theater)drama, music, law) working with groups from early years to adults in institutions (schools, youth centers) and with NGO's. Some of the themes were multiculturalism, intercultural learning, empowering young people for cooperation in conflict areas in Serbia, UNICEF's program School without violence. Yes, mainly these were groups of children and young people. And, shouldn't we start from the early years and inquire about dispute with youngsters as well with adults? What is appropriate way? Isn't art one of the appropriate tools to apply in this field? This year I was partner and trainer in the project Intercultural Drama Education and Learning. It was also about disputes, bullying, recognizing and managing emotions, prejudice, stereotypes. Here are some more links about applied art (one of the purposes is to develop social cohesion): http://www.artforsocialchange.net/home.html, http://www.theatreoftheoppressed.org/en/index.php?nodeID=1 At this point we talk more about dispute prevention, using fiction (creative processes) as "rehearsals" for reality. What do we gain from creative processes? Strengths and weaknesses? Is this to idealistic that we could prevent (reduce) disputes using art? One of the positive outcome is higher emotional literacy. Example: roll play let us better understand other side, developing empathy, getting in others shoes and changing roles during the creative process allows us to look from different points of view. One treat is not to treat creative process and art seriously and thinking about games as part of passed childhood. Aren't we adult, grown up ready to deal with real life and serious businesses? "No time to play games", one could say. Thanks. Looking forward for feedback.    

Anita Vestal said:

Hi Mike,

you bring up the role of sound, language patterns and art in the expression of emotion and suggest that mediators might benefit from art and music training ... what a wonderful potential intersection. We know that many conflict resolution programs reside in the communications departments of universities and institutions. Do we know of crossovers between dispute resolution and art /music? Please share if you know of any resources.

Milos Dilkic said:

Hi Cyberweek members,

I am feeling excited at the moment. Why? Opportunity to communicate. How do you know that I feel excited. I WROTE it. You do not see me, you see letters. And you see wrote in capitals. Am I shouting it aloud? You can ASK ME, to get the confirmation. Way of expression - image, text.

Another example is communication trough the SOUND. Loudness. Pitch. Duration. Breaks. Patterns. Dynamic.

Statement: Online mediation presents challenges in reading emotions, particularly when there is no video conferencing.

What we can do is to read the sound. Should online mediators have special training in music? How much we are aware of our hearing abilities. Active listening. How much we really LISTEN to each other? What information does sound provides?

Citation: ...audio conference without video or simply an email or discussion post.

Does audio conference requires at least basic knowledge about sound (audio)? Email and post are based on letters (images). Should we learn how to better recognize language patterns (sound-talk, letter-image) which will help us better understand one's expression? Should mediator have art trainings to better understand how we express ourselves? What is the role of art in alternative dispute resolution and online dispute resolution particular. The connection I make is emotion-expression-understanding. Next question is how much time mediator (should) devote to this process and issue.

Meet you in bright sounds,

Miloš Dilkić

Association Team for Education and Culture - TOK
Belgrade, Serbia

tok.info@yahoo.com

www.potragazablagom.rs

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Anita Vestal on October 30, 2012 at 9:42pm

Hi Milos

wow, very powerful projects. Are there any images that could be shared on the "Visualizing ADR" which is a part of this Cyberweek conference? I am especially moved by the Combat Paper Project with the images of the soldier undressing as he reconciles a deep connection with those he believed to be his enemies. The parallel of the images of stripping off his clothing as he strips away false beliefs is truly art and emotions combined. Thanks for sharing.

Milos Dilkic said:

Hi Anita,

in September conversation with professor Lynn M. Malley, discussing about role of humor in DR (brainstormed was Art Dispute Resolution to stand for ADR, just an idea), she has shared these links: combatpaper.org and peacepaper.org. For last 10 years I had experience in interdisciplinary work (applied arts (theater)drama, music, law) working with groups from early years to adults in institutions (schools, youth centers) and with NGO's. Some of the themes were multiculturalism, intercultural learning, empowering young people for cooperation in conflict areas in Serbia, UNICEF's program School without violence. Yes, mainly these were groups of children and young people. And, shouldn't we start from the early years and inquire about dispute with youngsters as well with adults? What is appropriate way? Isn't art one of the appropriate tools to apply in this field? This year I was partner and trainer in the project Intercultural Drama Education and Learning. It was also about disputes, bullying, recognizing and managing emotions, prejudice, stereotypes. Here are some more links about applied art (one of the purposes is to develop social cohesion): http://www.artforsocialchange.net/home.html, http://www.theatreoftheoppressed.org/en/index.php?nodeID=1 At this point we talk more about dispute prevention, using fiction (creative processes) as "rehearsals" for reality. What do we gain from creative processes? Strengths and weaknesses? Is this to idealistic that we could prevent (reduce) disputes using art? One of the positive outcome is higher emotional literacy. Example: roll play let us better understand other side, developing empathy, getting in others shoes and changing roles during the creative process allows us to look from different points of view. One treat is not to treat creative process and art seriously and thinking about games as part of passed childhood. Aren't we adult, grown up ready to deal with real life and serious businesses? "No time to play games", one could say. Thanks. Looking forward for feedback.    

Anita Vestal said:

Hi Mike,

you bring up the role of sound, language patterns and art in the expression of emotion and suggest that mediators might benefit from art and music training ... what a wonderful potential intersection. We know that many conflict resolution programs reside in the communications departments of universities and institutions. Do we know of crossovers between dispute resolution and art /music? Please share if you know of any resources.

Milos Dilkic said:

Hi Cyberweek members,

I am feeling excited at the moment. Why? Opportunity to communicate. How do you know that I feel excited. I WROTE it. You do not see me, you see letters. And you see wrote in capitals. Am I shouting it aloud? You can ASK ME, to get the confirmation. Way of expression - image, text.

Another example is communication trough the SOUND. Loudness. Pitch. Duration. Breaks. Patterns. Dynamic.

Statement: Online mediation presents challenges in reading emotions, particularly when there is no video conferencing.

What we can do is to read the sound. Should online mediators have special training in music? How much we are aware of our hearing abilities. Active listening. How much we really LISTEN to each other? What information does sound provides?

Citation: ...audio conference without video or simply an email or discussion post.

Does audio conference requires at least basic knowledge about sound (audio)? Email and post are based on letters (images). Should we learn how to better recognize language patterns (sound-talk, letter-image) which will help us better understand one's expression? Should mediator have art trainings to better understand how we express ourselves? What is the role of art in alternative dispute resolution and online dispute resolution particular. The connection I make is emotion-expression-understanding. Next question is how much time mediator (should) devote to this process and issue.

Meet you in bright sounds,

Miloš Dilkić

Association Team for Education and Culture - TOK
Belgrade, Serbia

tok.info@yahoo.com

www.potragazablagom.rs

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Alberto Elisavetsky on October 30, 2012 at 10:08pm

Hello Anita, I'm Alberto Elisavetsky from Odr Latinoamerica, we translate your dicussion and we will publish it in the cyberweek spanish chapter, I hope we can share results.

All the best

Alberto from Argentina

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Milos Dilkic on October 30, 2012 at 10:12pm

Hi Anita

Thanks for inspiring us. Professor Lynn M. Malley /http://www.mediationnow.com/indexcard.php?ID=220/ took part in Combat Paper Project (as I understood her last time we talked about it). I received this links from her, and she is right person to contact for further details. I sent her links to our discussion and will ask her if there is anything else to share about this issue.

In 2003-2004 we had project in Serbia organized by CARE International in cooperation with NGO Center for Drama in Education and Learning (CEDEUM), "View from the other side with Roma", Serbian and Albanian young people. It was my first Forum theater (FT) facilitator experience after receiving FT certificate. Will try to find some information and photos from several projects which had conflict/dispute in focus. This area of the world (South-east Europe, Balkan countries, Serbia) has being recognized as conflict area for years. On one hand a lot of suffering, bad emotions, tension, conflicts, constant disputes at all levels (family, neighborhood, country, neighboring countries, international relations). On the other hand great opportunity to EXPERIENCE REAL LIFE, learn, analyze, CASE STUDY, research, OBSERVE, LISTEN, THINK and RETHINK, REFLECT and INSIGHT.

Glad to sharing experience, feelings and thoughts.

Miloš Dilkić

Anita Vestal said:

Hi Milos

wow, very powerful projects. Are there any images that could be shared on the "Visualizing ADR" which is a part of this Cyberweek conference? I am especially moved by the Combat Paper Project with the images of the soldier undressing as he reconciles a deep connection with those he believed to be his enemies. The parallel of the images of stripping off his clothing as he strips away false beliefs is truly art and emotions combined. Thanks for sharing.

Milos Dilkic said:

Hi Anita,

in September conversation with professor Lynn M. Malley, discussing about role of humor in DR (brainstormed was Art Dispute Resolution to stand for ADR, just an idea), she has shared these links: combatpaper.org and peacepaper.org. For last 10 years I had experience in interdisciplinary work (applied arts (theater)drama, music, law) working with groups from early years to adults in institutions (schools, youth centers) and with NGO's. Some of the themes were multiculturalism, intercultural learning, empowering young people for cooperation in conflict areas in Serbia, UNICEF's program School without violence. Yes, mainly these were groups of children and young people. And, shouldn't we start from the early years and inquire about dispute with youngsters as well with adults? What is appropriate way? Isn't art one of the appropriate tools to apply in this field? This year I was partner and trainer in the project Intercultural Drama Education and Learning. It was also about disputes, bullying, recognizing and managing emotions, prejudice, stereotypes. Here are some more links about applied art (one of the purposes is to develop social cohesion): http://www.artforsocialchange.net/home.html, http://www.theatreoftheoppressed.org/en/index.php?nodeID=1 At this point we talk more about dispute prevention, using fiction (creative processes) as "rehearsals" for reality. What do we gain from creative processes? Strengths and weaknesses? Is this to idealistic that we could prevent (reduce) disputes using art? One of the positive outcome is higher emotional literacy. Example: roll play let us better understand other side, developing empathy, getting in others shoes and changing roles during the creative process allows us to look from different points of view. One treat is not to treat creative process and art seriously and thinking about games as part of passed childhood. Aren't we adult, grown up ready to deal with real life and serious businesses? "No time to play games", one could say. Thanks. Looking forward for feedback.    

Anita Vestal said:

Hi Mike,

you bring up the role of sound, language patterns and art in the expression of emotion and suggest that mediators might benefit from art and music training ... what a wonderful potential intersection. We know that many conflict resolution programs reside in the communications departments of universities and institutions. Do we know of crossovers between dispute resolution and art /music? Please share if you know of any resources.

Milos Dilkic said:

Hi Cyberweek members,

I am feeling excited at the moment. Why? Opportunity to communicate. How do you know that I feel excited. I WROTE it. You do not see me, you see letters. And you see wrote in capitals. Am I shouting it aloud? You can ASK ME, to get the confirmation. Way of expression - image, text.

Another example is communication trough the SOUND. Loudness. Pitch. Duration. Breaks. Patterns. Dynamic.

Statement: Online mediation presents challenges in reading emotions, particularly when there is no video conferencing.

What we can do is to read the sound. Should online mediators have special training in music? How much we are aware of our hearing abilities. Active listening. How much we really LISTEN to each other? What information does sound provides?

Citation: ...audio conference without video or simply an email or discussion post.

Does audio conference requires at least basic knowledge about sound (audio)? Email and post are based on letters (images). Should we learn how to better recognize language patterns (sound-talk, letter-image) which will help us better understand one's expression? Should mediator have art trainings to better understand how we express ourselves? What is the role of art in alternative dispute resolution and online dispute resolution particular. The connection I make is emotion-expression-understanding. Next question is how much time mediator (should) devote to this process and issue.

Meet you in bright sounds,

Miloš Dilkić

Association Team for Education and Culture - TOK
Belgrade, Serbia

tok.info@yahoo.com

www.potragazablagom.rs

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Leah Wing on October 31, 2012 at 12:56am

It is wonderful to see the discussion of emotions move into the realm of the arts as well.  Here is a post that I put up on the "Visualizing ADR" forum and thought folks in this discussion might find interesting as well.

I have had the pleasure and honor of collaborating with others internationally on several projects as part of the Art of Conflict Transformation Event Series that I direct at U. of Massachusetts (Amherst). 

The Art of Conflict Transformation Gallery sponsored by odr.info houses images in conjunction with the Event Series which is designed as a platform to bring together scholars, artists, and conflict resolvers to explore the geography of conflict; the spaces in and on which conflict has been imprinted and expressed, and the emerging terrains of resistance, resilience, and transformation.  From 2008-2010, the Event Series focused on the conflict in and around the north of Ireland/Northern Ireland.  The mural tradition there (with close to 2000 murals), created during The Troubles, captured the significant issues surrounding the conflict; and since the Belfast Agreement, new ones have continued to reflect the important issues for the communities transitioning to peace.  Leading Republican and Loyalist muralists have begun to paint together and you can see an archive of their work and this project at:  http://mural.umasslegal.org/

In 2011-2012, Art of Conflict Transformation Event Series focused on women’s acts of resistance to human rights violations in a number of conflict zones throughout the world through their creation of political textiles.  The vast majority of the textiles exhibited were made by women in conflict zones in a number of regions across the globe.  A small number were made by women as acts of resistance in solidarity as witnesses at a distance.  The exhibit,Transforming threads of resistance: political arpilleras & textiles by women from Chile and around the world, can be viewed at the online gallery at: http://blogs.umass.edu/conflictart/

I look forward to hearing about projects others have going.

Anita Vestal said:

Hi Milos

wow, very powerful projects. Are there any images that could be shared on the "Visualizing ADR" which is a part of this Cyberweek conference? I am especially moved by the Combat Paper Project with the images of the soldier undressing as he reconciles a deep connection with those he believed to be his enemies. The parallel of the images of stripping off his clothing as he strips away false beliefs is truly art and emotions combined. Thanks for sharing.

• ▶ Reply

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