Companion Thinking
Synopsis: My memo when I was at Upper Brookfield, Brisbane.
Technique: Colour pencil on paper
Duration: 1:00 min
Year: 2024
Companion Thinking
13th Sep 2024, I visited Zeynep Akcay, my PhD supervisor, ‘s working studio which is in the middle of nature at Upper Brookfield, Brisbane. It was less than an hour by car from the city centre to get to her place. I joined her 1-day Art Residency there. It was easy-going and pleasant with the air full of trees and the music of wind.
It was my first time in Upper Brookfield. This allowed me to be sensitive to the things that were happening in and around her place. My physical movements interacted directly with the surrounding space, offering curiosities that provoked the imagination I had towards trees, animals, insects, wind, and sounds.
With my companions, not only Zeynep my human companion but also non-human companion such as nature, trees, lights, birds, sounds, insects, and so on, I collected data and experience where I can better understand the interconnection of nature’s many facets and myself. From a nature observation to an observational exercise, and a casual reflective discussion, I gained a capacity for awareness of the pre-existing relationships and those that developed during my discoveries.
It was a short learning journey where I learned about ‘companion thinking’ (Rottle & Reardon-Smith, 2023) by my hands-on experience, a practice-based experience. I started becoming aware of the co-creative relationship in which I and Zeynep operated during our walk and talk. This gave me inspiration to explore the individual concepts of companionship through improvisation practices further, and practically apply them to my animation practice.
When I came back from the residency, I worked on the materials I produced during the residency and executed them as a one-minute animated note. I see it as a little souvenir that collected my experiences during our companions. I appreciate my supervisor Zeynep Akcay for sharing her knowledge and her warm hospitality.
Credit
Animation l Thanut Rujitanont
Sound I Thanut Rujitanont
Supporter l Griffith Film School
Producer l Graphy Animation
Reference
Rottle, J. and Reardon-Smith, H. (2023) ‘Companion thinking in improvised musicking practice’, Contemporary Music Review, 42(1), pp. 82–99. doi:10.1080/07494467.2023.2191070.
Home 