TOOL’S CATEGORY:

collective articulation   communication   entanglement   generating intimacy   game   operating from care   resilience   value system

DESCRIPTION:

Catalysation is a methodology that speeds up or slows down a collective reaction. It allows attracting, forming and gathering forces, opinions, feelings, etc., around the purpose/interest/topic that sets the catalysation in motion. It proposes to start collective processes from the micro sphere, as a way of activating co-creation among diverse individuals and communities, being an alternative to one-time mass meetings and/or events. 

INSTRUCTIONS:

Generate an initial group with a small number of people to collaborate-cooperate around a common purpose/interest/topic. Based on the agreed dynamics and decisions, the group gradually expands to broaden its scope of action in relation to its own needs as a group and the needs of the project. To do this, each member of the group may choose to invite other members from their context/field/community. Like a sort of snowball, the initial group expands and reproduces, from the contacts of the individuals who form its initial core.

YOU WILL NEED:

A core group for coordination, agreements and adaptability regarding time and availability.

TIPS / CAVEATS:

It is important to properly choose the people that make up the initial group, since it will determine where, with what contacts, or under what conditions the catalysation will take place. These processes require long, flexible and careful periods of time that are sometimes difficult to sustain, and require multiple monitoring and communication strategies. Based on the experience with the three Catalysts that conformed TE( N ) CUIDADO, we believe that it is important to have a coordination core group that mediates between the needs that may arise in the group and the needs and conditions of the project.

FUNCTION IN TE( N ) CUIDADO:

Catalysts are work groups that use the catalysation methodology. They are born out of the motivation to weave bonds of cooperation and learning between three different spheres: (1) artistic and cultural practice, (2) academic research, and (3) social movements and citizenship. The purpose is that of creating a common ground in which individuals or collectives representing those spheres may generate joint experience and research. The ultimate goal of the TE( N ) CUIDADO Catalysts has been to implement and put into practice research developed in relation to a number of communities that they wish to involve, who become themselves part of the catalysation process.