Microphones and Brushes—An Exercise in Radical Empathy (2022)
By Sach Takayasu
Mom’s stories about being a teenager during World War II in Japan mesmerized me. I wanted to know more: to see what she saw and feel what she felt. So, we expanded our collaboration beyond the microphone to making paintings—together. This exhibit shares our exercise in radical empathy. Also, a photograph triggered her memories and that recollection became a short story.OHMA students and alumni continue to push the envelope on approaches to oral history. I invite you to explore their innovative works and consider engaging them for your oral history project. http://oralhistory.columbia.edu/hire-our-alumni-homepage
This video introduce's my approach to "radical empathy using microphones and brushes”
NOTE: This year's exhibit opens Friday, April 29th at 5pm Eastern.
Click here to RSVP for the opening reception!Then be sure to check out the upcoming LIVE EVENT with the curator
Sunday, May 8 at 10AMPlease join me and the artist (and my thesis advisor) Jessica Benjamin when we unveil the paintings we co-created with mom and talk about this oral history journey. It’s a rare opportunity outside of Japan to hear the stories of growing up during the war.
We invite you to join our dialogue and listen to some of mom’s stories. This event will not be recorded, so we hope to see you there live.
RSVP here!
A sneak preview: Listen to this audio piece to hear how, through the oral history process, Sach's mom’s recollections of her parents (pictured below) developed into a story of their relationship:
