Ma (間) - embracing the unseens: Expressive arts exploration of negative space

"Thirty spokes share the hub of a wheel; yet it is its center that makes it useful. You can mould clay into a vessel; yet, it is its emptiness that makes it useful. Cut doors and windows from the walls of a house; but the ultimate use of the house will depend on that part where nothing exists. Therefore, something is shaped into what is; but its usefulness comes from what is not," - By Lao Tzu (Laozi)

How does the space in-between shape my experience?

What possibilities await me in "what isn't there" - the unseen and the untouched?

Ma (間) , in Japanese, literally means "interval" or "in-between". In traditional Japanese arts, it refers to an empty space that holds the same importance as the rest of an artwork, focusing the viewer on the intention of the negative space in an art piece. It is the time and space life needs to breath, to feel and connect. It could also imply a cultural paradigm-shift in the way we see things, which invites the possibility for change.

In our Expressive Arts circle "The Liminal" we entered the invisible presence of 間 (Ma) and inquired about what exists in the negative space, discovering the rich potential that resides within, and feeling how it holds us, through movement.

Solo, with a partner, and as a group, we explored spaces, paying attention to what's inside and outside of ourselves, the spaces of others, our relationships, and the distances in between - wondering how we connect.

As we transitioned to charcoal drawing, quiet voices in the space started to show up, becoming visible and taking different shapes: river, path, sun, dunes, chaos, light, sunflower, movement, waves, antenna, focus, options, mountains, tunnel, scream, hairpin bands, cinnamon buns.

Following the exploration, we shaped our findings with clay — a tangible embodiment of our experience. These shapes meandered, flowing out of the movement, following the movement, forming a path that led to a destination, with emotions like anger and moments of silence. There was also a creation, the forming of something new, a connection – the link between things, and a shelter – a place for refuge.

Each element in the space took on its own character and meaning, creating a unique experience.