Pillars of Our Anatomy
Participatory Action Research
Choosing participatory action research (PAR) flips the power dynamic of the extractive practices of modern institutional research. In PAR processes, the participants are the researchers and the findings are shared back to them.
PAR relates to the participants as researchers valuing personal experience and bias as crucial information in the process. The research cycle asks what is needed both personally and communally. The answer affects the inquiry process and outcome. PAR inquires into what is most important to the participants through processes of iteration, reflection and sharing back what was discovered.
Somatic Art
Our bodies carry stories. Sometimes talking is not the way to bring them out. We make in somatic art by inviting the felt sense to be part of the process. Inviting expansive ways of knowing, being in dialog and information gathering makes Our Anatomy’s art and research rich and relevant.
Ancestral Wisdom
Studies with Andean and Amazonian elders illuminate the ways our anatomy and consciousness are shaped by the erotic resonance of the earthbody.
Human pleasure and erotic power are only possible in relationship with the Earth.
When that relationship is extractive or fleeting, it shows up in the most intimate places. And it can be another way.
We are learning from the elders how to honor our elemental ancestors, our human ancestors and our divine place of origin. These studies influence the ways we approach art making and gathering research.