Recently we got the chance to speak with a leading name in participatory art in the UK, Francois Matarasso. He makes community art projects with various marginalised groups. In homes for the elderly, mentally ill, disabled, etc. Something he told us:

When I am there I am trying hard to strip myself from power and make myself vulnerable. Because there is a huge power difference between us. Even if I am not rich or an institutional employee, I have power.

For a start, I am the only one who knows why I am there. Then, I have a safe home to go back to and I have some money in the bank. If I ask them something, they cannot say no. Because this is how our society is set up: when you are told something by a middle class person, you just do it.

So I am working to make myself vulnerable. To not have my own understanding of what is happening there determine our relation. I will use a word, which is dangerous to use, and it is dangerous, because it has been interpreted in many ways. Humility. I try to achieve humility. This is not an easy challenge.