A tradition at Soni Camp is for American students to lead an activity time. This year we introduced the practice of Zen-Tangle. We explained that in a busy world, Americans look for ways to relax, center, and settle. Some people meditate, others do yoga, some walk, read – or play darts. An emerging practice is using art as meditation.
Zen-tangle is one such practice. Using a small paper square or rectangle, you first add three to six random intersecting lines to the paper. These lines can be straight or curved but should flow and ‘intangle’ with each other. This creates a random pattern on the paper and the lines of intersection create smaller pockets and areas throughout the design.
Practitioners then pattern and color the individual small areas / pockets using a wide variety of creative choices. We find that (like anything) the first attempts are hesitant and uncertain but that with practice, people become more and more confident with the process.
Here is a black and white example:
We introduced Zen-Tangle and then allowed everyone to create a practice square. Then we passed out cards that we had prepared ahead of our trip. We asked each person to complete a finish copy Zen-Tangle on the square we provided.
What we didn’t tell them is that Mrs. Joyce – our Lower School art teacher had prepared an ink sketch & cut it into 30 small rectangles. Everyone worked with purpose for about 20 more minutes and we collected these final Zen-Tangles. Later in the week, I re-assembled them into a large framed mosaic.
We presented the art piece to the Host Committee at our Sayonara Party yesterday. When we revealed the mosaic, everyone was amazed at how well it came together.
I like the messages of unity, of individuals coming together to form a new whole.
It came out looking great!
Thank You Emily Joyce!!!
Your reach and impact is international 🙂
Hawken-Haibara Exchange 