Researching oneself through the collage

Abstract

This  paper  will  present  a  methodological  reflection  on  how  some  artistic  techniques  can  became  for  the   individuals  the  opportunity  to  think  of  themselves  in  an  auto-­â€biographical  way.  In  particular,  this  paper   will  focus  on  the  collage.  Collage  is  a  technique  based  on  a  mixing  of  images,  verbal  text  and  other   elements  that  starts  with  the  analysis  of  an  existing  state  of  affairs,  proceeds  to  deconstruct  it,  and  finally   to  construct  a  new  product  juxtaposing  different  languages.  In  this  sense,  making  a  collage  of  the  learning   process  engage  the  authors  in  a  self-­â€narrative  process  with  the  potential  to  enhance  reflexivity.  First,  this   paper  will  underline  the  role  of  collage  in  the  artistic  background  of  our  contemporary  era,  in  order  to   explain  how  the  artistic  work  can  be  a  way  to  create  and  tell  the  own  life  story.    At  another  level,  using   selected  examples  of  researching  and  training  experiences  conducted  by  the  authors  in  some  educational   contexts  (as  university,  primary  and  high  schools),  this  paper  will  show  how  the  collage  can  become  a   techniques  for  constructing  and  eliciting  meanings  held  by  the  subjects  that  would  not  be  accessible  by   other  means  and  that  are  important  to  define  themselves,  especially  for  adolescents  and  young  adults   involved  in  the  difficult  construction  process  of  their  identities.   In  light  of  the  complexity  of  the  topic,  it  is  hoped  that  this  paper  will  contribute  to  advancing   understanding  of  the  potential  of  arts  as  learning  strategy  in  educational  contexts.    

 Keywords:  Collage,  art  education,  qualitative  research,  autobiography