The Long Table
we tried out a new discussion format and we liked it
“The Long Table is a dinner party structured by etiquette, where conversation is the only course.”
Conceptualised by Lois Weaver, it is a theatrical model for open-ended, non-hierarchical discussion and public participation.
Samm and Maggie acted as hosts for our first Table. They slightly broke the rules in that there WAS another course before the conversation - classic pasta with tomato sauce.
“Everyone in the room has the power (and imperative, with the communal interest for a more satisfying discussion) to shift the direction of conversation, to mediate moments of tension and to make space for voices less easily heard.”
We have an upcoming exhibition at Artcore in Derby (details to come!) for which we WERE going to have a panel discussion, but have now decided to change to this Table format. We want to speak with everyone in the room and honour all the different perspectives, and really live the reality of what it maybe means to be an ‘open system’.
Below are our tablecloth doodles and scribbles, a flavour of the ideas shared and thoughts voiced, drawn and noted..
