Monotony's neighbourhood
This activity is inspired by the Taktikou and Alterlumi dialogues from the philocreation approach of our community partner Brila.
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| Objective: To propel alternative representations of monotony by visiting its unsettled neighbourhood! |
Duration : 30 to 60 minutes
Material :
- Your imagination
- Sheets of paper and pencils
Instructions :
Monotony loves routine, tiny crackers that have no taste, and the regular ticking of its alarm clock. It dislikes roller coasters, surprise parties and unannounced visits. Day after day, it carries out all of its activities like clockwork.
For instance, every morning at ten o'clock on the dot, Monotony goes out to do its shopping at the local supermarket. As usual, it places in its cart a box of small, tasteless crackers, a bag of macaroni, three green apples and some broccoli.
But today as it is walking home with its groceries, it notices a moving truck in the driveway of the house next door. When it sees who will be moving in... it is terrified! Which concept would be just plain torture for Monotony to have as a neighbour: Change, Surprise, Imagination, Excitement or Passion?
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Imagine the concept. Imagine the concept of monotony. Do you think the description in the story is adequate? Would you add elements to the character to make it more representative of monotony? Now imagine the scene: monotony's horror when faced with its worst nightmare. Who could really disturb monotony's life?
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Choose the concept. Among the concepts that are proposed to you—change, surprise, imagination, excitement, passion—choose the one that you think would really make life difficult for the concept of monotony. Why are you choosing this concept? Would it shake up monotony's routine? Or prevent it from enjoying the silence? Or fill its garden with a myriad of inventions?
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Continue the story. Once you have chosen the concept that has terrified poor monotony, keep developing the story by imagining the consequences of this unlikely closeness. You can imagine a day in the life of this altered neighbourhood or a dialogue between these conceptual neighbours. Will monotony be able to learn anything from its changed neighbourhood? And will this new conceptual neighbour be able to learn from monotony as well? You can write and illustrate your story!
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Join the story. Is your neighbourhood life monotonous? Why or why not? What concepts live in your neighbourhood?
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Bonus : To continue your creative thinking, imagine that the two neighbouring concepts have to participate in a neighbourhood activity together: a community garden, a sports team, Meals on Wheels... it's up to you! Imagine the interaction between the two concepts during this activity and the impact on its realization. Will it be a success... or a disaster? What other concepts in the neighbourhood could join in to solve the problems this strange duo is facing... or maybe make them worse? |
| Tricks for tots : If you're not too familiar with monotony, you can replace this concept with meh-ness, better known by its nickname: meh! You know that feeling when something is just so-so because it makes you bored or isn’t all that interesting, and your reaction is just “Meh!” Well that’s the concept of meh-ness! Who do you think would be the worst neighbour for meh-ness? Who would completely upset the world of meh-ness: change, surprise, imagination, excitement, passion? And why? |
| Tips for teens : Is monotony necessarily boring? Some writers are full of praise for it! Collette notes "the dazzling monotony of nightingales" and Alphonse Daudet is "lulled by the strident monotony of cicadas." Can monotony be beautiful? ...welcoming? ...intoxicating? ...restful? Why or why not? Try to find an example of something that is monotonous, but not boring at all. Then, create an artwork—a song, a poem, a drawing, a dance—that celebrates monotony. |
Share your creative reflections by sending them via email.
Include photos of your projects and notes of your thoughts, as well as your first name and your age!
