Basic Info

Pollinator proximity

While the touch of butterfly wings is associated with gentleness, the proximity of many other insects is often experienced as annoying, disgusting or even threatening. This activity aims to safely trigger experiences linked to insects' proximity to initiate conversations on our feelings and attitudes, especially the negative ones. It is not intended to make people more tolerant of insects’ presence. Rather, it aims to help us bring into the open the whole range of reactions to better understand the emotional and embodied aspects of coexistence with these insects. 

Stage: Noticing

Format: In person

Work Modality: Small groups

Location: Outdoor

Duration: 60mins

Topic(s): Pollinators

Preparations

If you do this in a public space, like a park, make sure the location is calm and quiet. This is not just because of technical reasons (hearing the recordings). As participants will be blindfolded for a short period of time, they must not only feel but also be safe.   Participants can be seated in chairs, but for a more relaxed atmosphere use picnic blankets.

Tools

Tools: Post-its, Pens, crayons etc...

Other Tools: Eye mask, scarf or another type of blindfold, 3D printed insect models, Recordings of insects buzzing, Headphones

Comments on Tools

Insect models can be 3D printed in makerspaces (find one closest to you). Low-tech version uses blades of grass to create a sensation mimicking that of being touched by an insect.  

Team

Team: Facilitator / moderator, Assistant

Comments on Team

As this exercise might bring some discomfort, the facilitator needs to be someone who can create a safe and trusted environment. Empathy and friendliness are more important than being able to moderate a discussion.For assistance you will need technical support for recording (or finding high-quality recordings of) insects and managing the sound equipment on the day. 

Process

In the beginning, participants are invited to make themselves comfortable as the facilitator provides a clear explanation of the exercise, detailing what they will hear and feel. You should ask for permission to touch the hands or arms of participants, respecting their comfort levels. This is especially important as for a period participants will be blindfolded, so they must be comfortable with that. Then you should distribute blindfolds and headphones and test whether audio equipment is working. This could even be done in a playful way, by playing participants' favourite songs or asking them to identify a specific tune. You can let participants download the soundtrack, or connect them to your equipment.Once everything is set, you can ask the participants to put on blindfolds and the activity begins. You may choose to start with a short narrative to set the scene, such as imagining a relaxing summer afternoon during a picnic. As the buzzing sound is played through the headphones, use the 3D insect models to simulate the sensation of an insect walking over participants’ arms. After a few minutes, participants remove their blindfolds and a conversation starts. Each participant is invited to share their feelings, associations and memories evoked by the experience. It is important to make sure participants feel they can share also negative ideas and connotations. Leave space for a discussion too, but making sure participants don't judge each other.

Compatibility

The resulting accounts of participants can be used in the sense making activities. Make sure that you collect the accounts of participants, e.g., in short comments on post-its - this way it will be easier to use this material in later stages of the process.  The activity can be complementary to pollinator picnic as both address directly the topic of close coexistence with insects. This activity can be especially helpful to go more in-depth on any negative experiences that can appear in connection to sharing food with pollinators. 

Resources