The effects of the pandemic are still engrained in some people in our community, especially in mental health. This research traverses the function of art and design as a mediator and a tool in recovering and rebuilding our community after the detrimental pandemic. The research asked about our emotions, learnings, and factors that made us move forward despite the circumstances of the pandemic; these prompts were brought up in a participatory art project called Like A Light. This participatory art project allowed people to discover and reflect on their personal experiences. Through a participatory project, participants from Albay, a province in Southern Luzon, ranging from teens to young adults, reflected on their experiences with the pandemic through a developed symbolic design and lighting. The participants created their version far from the lighting’s primary form in response to the questions raised. Phenomenological design and method, such as interviews and written questions were conducted with the participants, and thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. The study's findings indicate that our experiences are classified as negative or positive. Their learnings from the global pandemic include the significance of things that are not material; discovering oneself in terms of how one will respond to a circumstance and becoming self-conscious. On the other hand, the findings about the reasons that made them move forward indicate God, family, and friends while others are reconnecting with their passion, specifically art, and embracing their authentic selves.

Authors:
Mark Dave Azores, Bicol University, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Mark Dave Azores is an Instructor at Bicol University, an artist, and a designer. I take an interest in arts-based research focusing on issues in society. As a designer, I am an advocate for designing with empathy through the design thinking method.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-dave-azores-90aa0b121/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

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