Mending What's Broken:
how the metaphors and art of Kintsugi can help us put the pieces together
We are living in a world that can feel very broken. We’ve all experienced navigating a global pandemic and layers of loss. Some of us have experienced broken systems. Some of us are also survivors of traumas or abuse.
Mending What’s Broken honors what was broken, invites participants to look at the pieces in new ways, and explore the ‘glue’ that assists us to mend and keep going.
How?
First, you might be wondering what is Kintsugi? :)
Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese art in which broken pottery is mended with glue and gold honoring and highlighting the cracks rather than hiding them. The belief is the pottery is stronger and more valuable after the breakage and mending. Kintsugi is a powerful metaphor and physical art practice to explore layers of meaning of broken, to look at the pieces in new ways, and notice the 'glue' in our lives that assist us to mend, navigate challenging times and keep on going.
Narrative Practices honor and acknowledge the layers of influence that impact our view of self, other and the world around us.
Melding these two practices is an opportunity to question, explore the pieces and begin to create a preferred story.
Imagine the power of our preferred narrative of our lives rather than the often dominant story that is placed upon us by society, culture, gender, families, systems and surviving traumas. Imagine what can happen when we journey together and see ourselves and others as more than a 'single' story of ‘forever broken’ or stereotype.
This workshop incorporates visual, auditory and sensory learning styles through silent reflection, journaling, verbal discussion and the kinesthetic hands-on experience of Kintsugi.
Why might you wish to participate?
Mending What’s Broken is an opportunity for each of us to see our own strengths and skills, to remember what has helped us get through challenging times. It can also be an enlightening acknowledgement, exploration and release of ‘forever broken’ to seeing possibilities for mending.
What to expect:
First, we explore: Mending What's Broken through the Metaphors of Kintsugi supported by Narrative Practices.
Brief introduction to the art and principles of Kintsugi.
Brief introduction to Narrative Therapy Practices.
Through reflections, journaling prompts and small group discussion we will explore the metaphors of Kintsugi, broken pieces and the glue that assists us to mend.
Each question is an invitation and you are welcome to participate in whatever way feels comfortable for you.
Reflect on the broken we wish to mend around us, discuss what glue might assist that to mend.
Reflect on the skills and abilities that help us to navigate challenging times. (Glue)
Mending What's Broken Through the Physical Art Practice of Kintsugi: Hands-on session You will be guided through each step in the art process. In our session, there is no wrong way to do Kintsugi; it is all about noticing what comes to mind while doing each step. No matter what happens with the pieces, there is an opportunity for learning and observations. All supplies provided.
Each participant will be invited to break and mend a bowl.
Together, we will reflect on questions such as:
What do you notice as you break the bowl?
What might you hope to break and repair? (How does this relate to life)
What do you notice in the pieces? What might they signify for you?
What do you notice as you glue the pieces?
What skills are you using?
How might these also apply to everyday life?
The hands-on experience of mending the broken pieces assists participants to see their skills in action and highlights their preferred story of pieces of their lives (or others lives) mended together through the process.
Participants keep their bowls as a tangible reminder.
Timeframe: 2 to 4 hours depending on the group.
Where? Sessions are currently being offered in 3 ways:
* In person (often out of doors),
* Virtually via Zoom
* Hybrid: with some participants in person and some via Zoom.
Who is the Facilitator? Kristin Pedemonti, Master’s Narrative Therapy & Community Work is a Narrative Practitioner specializing in piecing together preferred stories across a wide range of challenges. She has worked with persons with lived experiences of childhood trauma, domestic violence, trafficking and war. As well as with caregivers, creatives, educators, frontline workers, healthcare professionals, and teachers.
Kristin is a full-time Storyteller, Speaker and the recipient of National Storytelling Network’s International Story Bridge Award for her work across cultures. She has presented and performed on 5 continents and 20 countries from Albania to Bali to Colombia to France to Kenya and her favorite so far, Iran.
She is also a Storytelling Consultant at the World Bank where she teaches upper-level staff how to tell the human stories behind the data. Kristin is the author of three books, most recently A Bridge of Stories which chronicles her journey creating and facilitating a decolonized seven year volunteer literacy project in Belize in which she returned banned stories to their rightful owners. Kristin was also a finalist in TED Talks Talent Search, watch by clicking. You can learn more about her latest work here: www.steeryourstory.com
Contact Kristin here: storytellerpk@gmail.com
Or here Kristin@steeryourstory.com
215-541-4535 cell
Optional Add-Ons for On-going Support:
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Private Facebook Group Forum
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Follow-up Zoom video group or individual coaching sessions
Your options:
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Scheduled dates and times:
check calendar for a city near you: Events -
Schedule your own group or one on one session
Use the Book Me Tool.
Investment: Currently in light of COVID19 all sessions are Pay What You Can,
From suggested fee of $60 per session to scholarships for $0