Morning Reset: Meditation as a Creative Clearing Practice

This workshop will begin with a brief introduction to artist Brandon Breaux’s creative practice, followed by a meditation and breathing exercise with the intention of opening up the group to the possibility of reframing how we engage with and at conferences. In order to use design as a problem solving tool, we must expand our capacities to see things differently. We live in a world that heavily relies on domain expertise, but sometimes domain expertise, or being committed to a particular view, limits our possibility to develop creative solutions. This is an exercise designed to facilitate guests’ processing of their experiences of the weekend from a different and more open place. Coffee will be served.

Disclaimer from the artist: Take caution with participating in meditation practices if you have dealt with a significant amount of trauma that has yet to be addressed by a licensed therapist or counselor.

Brandon Breaux is a multidisciplinary Artist/Designer based in Chicago, IL. His work explores the impact of identity on world view through; language, storytelling and visual communication. Breaux uses various mediums to explore narratives that provoke deep questioning and healing.

This spring, Deem presents its second live symposium: Designing for Dignity 02: A Convening of Possibilities. In continuation with last year’s inaugural gathering, this hybrid in-person/online event will be co-hosted by the MCA Chicago on May 17, 18, and 19, 2024. Deem will expand on the guiding premise of dignity as the intrinsic lens for liberatory design practices with two days of presentations and conversations, as well as interactive workshops and on-site experiences happening both at the museum and throughout the city of Chicago. This year’s program will bring together innovative and acclaimed artists, designers, scholars, and organizers to reflect on a range of design-related topics, disciplines, methodologies, and agendas.

Deem will again organize a three-day Reference Room to provide a public gathering space in which anyone can encounter and experience reading materials that have inspired our five print issues. Literature in the form of books, articles, and essays will reflect thoughtlines in our research, specific mentions from our pages, and recommendations from our contributors. We hope to create context and access to educational tools around Deem’s processes and beliefs, as well as a haven for reflection and repose. The Reference Room will be located at the MCA and open to any visitor from 10 am to 6 pm on May 17–19.

Tickets can be purchased on the MCA website.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Just Don, 170 North Sangamon Street, Chicago, United States