STORY EXCHANGE IN MOTION: AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE
Traveling exhibit asking viewers to consider the impact and importance of our own stories and how we tell others'.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Narrative 4 (N4) is an international nonprofit focused on building empathy through storytelling. By engaging students through their signature program the “Story Exchange,” N4 has cultivated a reputation for saying “yes” to difficult conversations and welcoming anyone willing to put themselves in others’ shoes to engage with their work. The Story Exchange typically exists in a classroom or small communal space. In order to engage a broader audience, as a team we adapted the program to work as a traveling exhibit that could take place in a museum or institution. We launched this exhibit at Mass MoCa for a single evening with great results and reflections on how to move forward.
PROJECT TEAM
Development Team:
Zoë Winton
Kate Rudder
Allison Lerman-Gluck
Samantha Hartsoe
DEFINING THE STORY EXCHANGE
WHAT IS 'THE STORY EXCHANGE?'
It's a relatively simple process. You start with a prompt to personally reflect on and take the time to craft a story (a true story, from your life) that lasts anywhere from 2-4 minutes. Then you partner up, and each partner shares their story. You don't ask any follow up questions or strike up further conversation. You just sit and deeply listen to what your partner shares. Then you come back to the larger group, and instead of sharing your story again, you share your partner's story from their perspective. You release your story to your partner, and in turn you own your partner's story and for the next few minutes it becomes a part of who you are.
Like I said, it's simple. But through the retelling process, students almost unknowingly are building their capacity for empathy and understanding.
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HOW A CLASSROOM EXERCISE BECOMES AN EXHIBIT...
CLASSROOM VS. PUBLIC EXHIBIT
The program is designed with a classroom in mind. So before we could start designing any elements of the exhibit, we had to examine what could work and what couldn't when shifting spaces.
PRIVACY
Typical Story Exchanges involve a small, private group. How does that translate to a public setting? How do you keep people's personal stories semi-anonymous?
Solution: Stories only signed with first names, ability to opt out of video recording
DOCUMENTATION
There is no recording in a typical Story Exchange. But as an exhibition, how do you document and easily share the experience with others?
Solution: A database of videos, sorted by first name and subject matter. Accessible by website/QR code.
TIMING
Story Exchanges can last up to an hour depending on group dynamics. It was important to shorten the experience for the exhibit to keep viewers engaged and moving.
Solution: Stories only signed with first names, opt out of video recording
SPATIAL PLANNING
A traditional Story Exchange requires space for congregation and partnered story-sharing. How could we transform the experience so that people can move through the program and the environment individually?
Solution: Break down the Exchange in succinct steps that would be spread across different stations.
THE "EXHIBIT"
WELCOME
Unlike a more permanent exhibit, Story Exchange in Motion was designed to last anywhere from 1-7 days in any given location. Due to limited resources, it also meant the installation either needed to travel or easily be recreated at each stop.
To solve this dilemma, I decided to design each large sign to work on an 24"x36" board. That way the boards could either be hung, propped up, or affixed to whatever the space required. Additionally, if the partner institution wanted to co-brand, those changes could easily be made by their team.
STORY PROMPTS
When talking with the team, it was clear they wanted the ability to change the story prompts. Committing to reprinting signs for each installation was not cost effective, so we came up with the solution to leave the 'Story Prompts' sign essentially blank. Then whichever trainer was leading the installation could write or print their own prompts and affix them to the board.
By handwriting the prompts, each trainer could add a personalized element to a very people-centered experience.
STATION 1
Keeping it simple. This was the through line for the design of all the signage. This program is intended to be a centering experience driven by your own memories and emotions, so adding too much to the signs would potentially disrupt this process.
We also had to grapple with privacy factors. Though some participants would likely not mind their stories being tied to them, some stories may be more sensitive than others. So rather than designing another board for people to hang their stories on publicly, we chose for participants to put their stories in a box that later could be shuffled through, ensuring another layer of anonymity.
STATION 2
It was important that people understood what they were signing up for and could skip or opt out of the second part of the process. This station's signage informed participants of filming, but an additional sign would be printed and provide further details.
STATION 3
Essential to the Story Exchange are the moments of reflection. While we addressed concerns of anonymity earlier on, being able to see other people's reflections can be a very rewarding experience, so we recreated the interactive element of the signage from earlier.