10. STUDENT SUPPER CLUB

 

I WILL ORGANISE A REGULAR STUDENT SUPPER CLUB WITH OTHER PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS.

 

Stemming initially from thoughts of daily opportunities for conversation after a poignant meeting with Chris, my focus refined to the mealtime and the opportunity is provides to socialise. Often shared with others familiar and close, it is a uniting cherished act, where discussions of the day and thoughts ensue. Thus, a lot can be lost from the loss of shared meals.  Perhaps there are others craving the opportunity to share their meals; students like myself or homeless individuals like Chris? With an aim to provide a free space provoking and prompting communication, I proposed a regular student (and stranger) supper club, using the act of sharing a meal as a vehicle for conversation. Thus far I have attempted six different supper club evenings, and have been successful in sharing three, each dramatically different, but all including conversation. As per Grant Kester’s Dialogical Art; art [here] can be viewed as a conversation (Kester, 2004, pp.10).

                               

Diners are obtained via postering in the public space. Thus, technology, a phone, is the ‘stepping stone’ between tangible, but potentially outdated communication tools such as publicly sited posters and chance meetings. Sometimes participants come, and sometimes they don’t. Whilst, one could argue on these occasions the work was unsuccessful, it has still intervened with and altered my everyday. I have developed ritualistic behaviours through embarking on this series: Fridays begin with hot soapy water and a mop, before frantic, but sheepish postering, and a food shop follows, whilst I wait attentively by the phone.