Paper short abstract:

This paper addresses silence as an aspect of listening, and approaches listening in craftwork as an outcome of working together that can leave space for ‘an act of grace’ to occur. It draws on research by the Forces in Translation project, who work along the boundaries of basketry and mathematics.

Paper long abstract:

This paper addresses silence as an aspect of listening. The author approaches listening as an outcome of working together that can leave space for ‘an act of grace’ to occur.

For this anthropologist, working together with others in craftwork can result in song, conversation, rhythm, space and distributed attention – resulting in both sound and silence - ways of attuning to other participants which can evoke both response and understanding.

A key feature is the turning outwards of attention, into both materials, tools and the wider environment and also to other participants or collaborators. Within these ways of attending, and within the rhythm of work, silence can allow for a moment, when a maker, scientist, performer or other practitioner, can acknowledge (to themselves and others) when there is a moment of ‘stuckness’, an obstacle, even ignorance, or a lack of understanding which, through listening, waiting, and by employing patience, one can perhaps come to understand or develop new understanding.

This paper draws on the studio research of the Forces in Translation project, which explores questions of understanding along the boundaries of textile work (especially basketry) and mathematics in order to address this theme.

Dr Stephanie Bunn

25th January 2024