Azaria G. - In my first box adventure I had partners, which was fun because I think we collectively were really open minded and had similar revelations throughout the journey. A lot of deep breaths were involved, which I loved because in my practice there is a huge emphasis on breathing fully and things of that nature. This box took me back to a time I should pay more attention to physically, which was my childhood. Our first “goal” was to add to this game of hopscotch and to then play it. It felt super collaborative and free because others had already added to it and I was excited to try what they had instructed. Me and my partners had a blast being adults in a kid’s place. On a block that said sing I did a rap song, and it felt good to exist in both my current and past world at once in that way! similar experiences went on throughout the other boxes, we jumped rope, blew bubbles, and just experienced ourselves in this sort of “silly” manner. I documented how funny it was that for a class assignment I was to blow bubbles and play hopscotch on a college campus. We even saw a landscape person almost remove a box just as we had located it, which kind of brought back into my reality that this sort of thing is diminished through adult eyes. They probably thought it was trash, but they might’ve thought it was dangerous too. That thought crossed my mind and made it sort of interesting to think about how things become less innocent over time. It was great watching the bubbles avoid the tree branches as the wind got cut by them and moved the bubbles to safety. It felt poetic. I also discovered how much I don’t see! There was an entire brick staircase that I had never noticed on our path, and right by it a small willow tree that was out of season (no leaves). I loved that we got to take a picture and that there were so many props. It was nice to unwind, and I wish everyone was assigned to do a box scavenger hunt like this! Especially right around midterms or something! I wish I could do both boxes again honestly! I feel like I have fresh eyes since doing them and I just want other people to feel the same way! I just think this sort of work is so incredibly important, especially now. ~Azaria G.

Sam - The general theme of their experience was one of mindfulness and presence. We were given a tiny notebook to take with us through the journey. As I carefully documented my experience a sense of presence grew stronger. Presence with my body, my environment, and the context of my life at large. The prompts to count our breaths and to stop in the moment is a worthwhile practice to carry into our everyday lives. I found myself almost in serenity by the end of it. My worries fade into the background as I witness the wonder surrounding me. It was a fun and engaging activity for an able-bodied person. I loved getting in touch with the natural environment close by as it reminds me I have a place to go when I’m feeling too stuffy in the studio building.

Laura Levin - How did the box make you feel? The design (or not design of it), the colors used, the textures, the care, things that went with it? The boxes were super well organized and finding each one felt like a treasure hunt with little things to use, take, observe, and play The flow of finding, opening, using, and returning each box became a bit of a ritual (wiping, reading, doing, wiping…) How did the instructions work? Where they hand-written, printed, digitally recorded? what kind of paper was used? Did it change the way you felt about participating with the piece? The instructions were typed and pretty easy to follow. The instructions were printed on what seemed like printer paper in multiples so each person could take one which was nice. There was a nice variety of other paper and mediums used for participating in the box which made it feel more special Where did the box take you? Where you confused getting there? Or was that part of the journey? Each box would eventually lead us to the next box from Gatewood to benches on the side of the building to different parts of the park across the street to in front of, through, and in the sculpture garden of WAM. Between the instructions and spotting each box, it was pretty easy to follow and find. I also enjoyed doing it with another student and constantly running into other classmates who were experiencing the box after us. It reminded me of when you run into someone you know at the grocery store and keep seeing them because you are box buying similar things…but it a nice and non-awkward way. what happened when you got a place? Were you asked to participate, listen, look, dig, climb, think? There were a variety of activities. Each place had one or two things to do such as listening, playing, observing, breathing, writing, drawing, blowing bubbles, and taking pictures. It provided a way to use all senses mindfully. Was there any magic or surprises? Each box was a bit of a surprise. I enjoyed the sparkle of the ball at the end. It was a sunny and windy day, and it looked alive and magical reflecting the light and seeming to move on its own! What came with the box? Each box came with a bag of wipes, a bag to put dirty wipes, hand santizier, instructions, and tools to use and/or take (such as pencil & notebook, bubbles, jump rope, camera, charcoal) What part(s) were not so interesting or engaging? Why? too long? Wanted more? To complicated? I didn’t love the charcoal but that might be a personal preference. I did enjoy that it was used to experience different textures. The experience was a bit long, but it was broken up well to create a longer and more mindful journey that could not be rushed. It could have been cut down a little bit but overall it flowed nicely. What was the nugget of amazingness you got from this experience? Tell us more! Doing the experience with Sam was really great because some of it was more actively together and in conversation while other parts were a bit more individual and self reflective. I really enjoyed that balance. I also loved being able to slow down and sit with the spaces we were in through observation and play. The instructions and materials made it easy to fall into that. What else do you have to say about the experience? Did it reveal anything? Expand your consciousness? change your ideas about art? Inspire new ideas? It made me value slowing down even while working. Spending an hour taking in small parts of the campus I usually pass by quickly was really wonderful. I was inspired by the idea of following a route someone else designed instead of how I move through the area. It made me think about how most of us move through a similar geographic space but have different experiences and habits. Breaking down the way I move through space, observe the surrondings, and interact with other people moving through the same area was quite valueable when thinking about how we experience places individually and collectively especially when they are designed by others. Did it make you hungry? Or tired? Or perhaps gave your energy? I felt surprisingly tired after the experience but in a relaxed way. Like, I was satisfied with the journey and my mood was calm, but I found it a bit funny to feel worn out from an afternoon of blowing bubbles and sitting in the grass. Final fingers? Slowing down and doing things that seemingly have no poupose is an essiental skill I am glad I have gotten to practice in this class. I love the collaborative approach and way these boxes pushed me to experience spaces I see most days in a different lens.