Crossing the Waterline: An Autoethnographic "Living Inquiry"

Barbara A. Bickel

Barbara A. Bickel

Abstract

In this essay, I inquire phenomenologically into a gesture that I performed and documented through photography. This gesture is significant because it has led me to consider the resistant edge of myself as an artist, researcher, and educator. It is from this resistant edge that I find myself crossing a metaphorical waterline. Waterlines mark the liminal threshold between water and air, i.e., the point of conscious awareness—of breath—below which lay the unknown. This metaphor has helped me become aware of myself as artist, writer, learner, and teacher. In this art essay of my living inquiry into a performed gesture within an art installation, I discovered the waterline of a self-censored voice.

Author Biography

Barbara A. Bickel

Barbara Bickel is an artist, researcher, educator, and independent curator. She is currently working on a Ph.D. in art education in Curriculum Studies at the University of British Columbia. Her arts-based research is focused on women, spiritual leadership, collaboration, and education. Barbara completed an M.A. in education at the University of British Columbia in 2004. Her thesis was entitled, From Artist to A/r/tographer: An Autoethnographic Ritual Inquiry into Writing on the Body. She holds a B.F.A. in painting from the University of Calgary and a B.A. in sociology and art history from the University of Alberta. Her art and performance rituals have been exhibited and performed in Canada since 1991. She is currently represented by the Fran Willis Gallery in Victoria, British Columbia; Kensington Fine Art Gallery in Calgary; and Alberta and School of Ideas Gallery in Welland, Ontario. She co-founded The Centre Gallery (1995- 2001), a non-profit women's focused gallery in Calgary, Alberta. Her art and thesis can be viewed on-line at http://www.barbarabickel.ca

Correspondence regarding this art essay should be addressed to the artist at radicaltrust@shaw.ca