The day before I called Vera, the garden lady and Erdal again…uuh I was really excited about their reaction – but both of them confirmed the deal for Friday, they seemed to be very relaxed and weren`t questioning, so Fedele and me were relaxed, but not as cool as the others…..
Stefanie_TheAct_FAQ_01
Why are participants of a Flash Job cooler than catalysts?
Stefanie_TheAct_Tips&Tricks_01
At first, as a catalyst you have some responsibility and second we would like to have “success” after all up and down, do you remember?
In front of the house, where Vera lives I arrived at ten to four...it was our meeting point – but no boys – no father - no garden lady?!?
So, I called her. She opened the door with a smile on her face, behind her I saw two kids already working in her garden. One of them was cleaning the path, the other one was cutting plants. I said “hello” and introduced myself to the kids (the father had to work, so he wasn`t able to show up)
….but both of them were very busy and not really interested in doing small talk….they didn`t tell me about, but their bodies were talking enough…once the garden lady would explain the boys something about plants….one boy replied: I am sorry, but at first I have to finish my work…then I will come….?!?! After 30 minutes it started to rain. The boys got their money (they shared it) and they set up a new meeting, where they would plant a tree together…so who knows …but that`s another story without Fedele and me…..
At the end all of them were agreed that it was a fair deal.
The boys were happy, because they liked the job and they got money for it.
The lady was happy, because she got a little help and she noticed that both boys were kind, open and respectful (to her and her garden).
And Fedele and I were happy because all others were happy…the idea of FJC was so alive at this moment…we were able to connect people for a moment in this rough neighbourhood with some kind of trust issues….wowh it feels really good….what do you think about Fedele?
Stefanie_TheAct_FAQ_02
Do people say “It was a "fair act", when all of them are happy and satisfied afterwards?
Stefanie_TheAct_Tips&Tricks_02
It seems like, I think the feeling of fairness is individual and subjective – in any case -smiling faces as a result, can be an evidence for a “fair act”.
Stefanie_TheAct_FAQ_03
Have catalysts any influence of the result of an act?
How important is “fine weather” for the act?
Stefanie_TheAct_Tips&Tricks_03
Yes, catalysts have influence and can manipulate moments, but the result is open – that`s o.k. and important too.
And one more interested question from the garden lady:
Stefanie_TheAct_FAQ_04
Why is FJC an art project?
Where is the art?
Stefanie_TheAct_Tips&Tricks_04
Why ist FJC an art project?
At the beginning of the project I had the same questions. Where is the art? Will we do happenings in Neukölln? Will we paint a wall, for example? I was sceptical and ensure…..but who has the right to define art? Is there just “black” or “white”? I don`t think so, art has to be free…..
During doing this project I realized that we were working against existing systems and structures (or we were working without existing systems and structures? I think, it happened both)….and this was the challenge. Our tools were curiosity, a kind of madness, the will to have fun, being ready for “catching flash moments” and to create new ways……and at last working with the process….most of these tools I am using in my artwork too….so it is art, do you agree?
Once Fedele said: " Well, we are doing art on the street, during we are encountering"...
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TUESDAY - JUNE 10, 2008 - 01:53:45 PM
Stefanie_MyIntervention_story_01
This is the story about the garden, Fedele and I, we are working together….this report tells about my view to the whole story…….
Tuesday, 2nd Day in the field of The Flash Job Campaign
It started on Tuesday where Fedele and me went to Neukölln, Rixdorf in order to find owners of shops who would order Flash Jobs…..one of the owners told us that we won`t find any because all people would have some kind of trust issues…….(read more Fedele_MyInterverntion_story_02)
What does it mean? Mission impossible?
After talking to others the opinion about “such“ statement got stronger and stronger and our motivation got more and more discouraged…also we got the answer….”well we have a family business, so we don`t need other persons.”
Suddenly I remembered that I got the information about a woman with a wonderful garden, who lives close by…..so we went to our aquaintant who lives close to her for more information………
Stefanie_MyIntervention_FAQ_01
When all people tell you “you can`t”, does it help to create new ideas, or built up more motivation?
Did the shop owners trust us? If not could this be the reasons for their resistence/ refuse?
Would it be easier for us to find a job as a member of their own culture? Remember Fedele is from NYC, and I am from Albstadt and we just talked with Turkish men. And I as a woman did the inverviews because Fidele can`t speak German……maybe a little bit strange …for their culture…..
Stefanie_MyIntervention_Tips&Tricks_01
Well, the message you won’t succeed, was very helpful for my motivation to continue……
Stefanie_TheDeal_story_01
So we went to our aquaintant who lives close to Vera, the woman with the garden, for more information…and we had luck, we met her in her garden..we talked about a job and the idea of The Flash Job Campaign and she accepted. So we talked about the conditions…..one hour for 5 Euros, if she would be satisfied she would pay more……alright….we will call her, when we got a teenager for the job.
Stefanie_TheDeal_FAQ_O1
Is it only possible to find trust in people which the same background of culture?
Stefanie_TheDeal_Tips&Tricks_01
Well, I think it`s an advantage to talk to people who knows other people…so you can use their connections too and our aquaintant participated too during the whole deal….so I think it was fair to use the connections, because all of us got the same information and knew what we are talking about…..and knew what`s going on…
Stefanie_MyIntervention_story_02
Thursday
On Thursday we went back to the neighbourhood to find teenagers, who would like to do this garden job.
We met three teenagers on the street between 14 and 16 who told us that they are owners of this street section…we weren`t really impressed…but they wanted to let us know that they are the “bosses”…..one of them seemed to be interested in our job offer, but the main “boss” the shortest one of them and very pale was very suspicious….he always was looking around and he demanded 50 Euro if we would take some photographs….he was more interested in this deal than to work for 5 Euro in a garden….so he suddenly disappeared and the others followed him –we had no chance- the group pressure were to big…..a Turkish man who observed our discussion and knew the kids (he also gave us some chairs before we started the discussions with the kids) was wondering what happened…we told him the story who we are, about our project and about the garden job….he seemed very open and talked to us about his story…His brother killed another person …so he went to the police an told all about that, since then he lives in danger, because some of the family members still live in Berlin. I asked him why he didn`t leave Berlin…so he answered that he would have no other home – he can`t go back; there will be “no” back…..after this really tough story another woman took place and told about their problems and left…..back to our discussion with the Turkish man (Sela) another Turkish man took place and listened to our conversation…..This man (Erdal) got envolved in our circle, as the first guy asked him if his son would be interested in doing this garden job…..
Stefanie_MyIntervention_FAQ_02
Is it important for the process to listen to all stories?... is it ,or when is it fair to interrupt?
Stefanie_ MyIntervention_Tips&Tricks_02
I think it is important to have time and patience, because all persons sooner or later talked about their private issues and staff. It seems they need for a special time just listeners….you don`t have to solve their problems just space for them……. And so you never know before what will happen….
Stefanie_TheDeal_story_02
The second man was very interested, but he mentioned his son could be too young (10 years old)
So the deal would be:
- If his son works in the garden he will come with him
- He will ask the friend of his son (13), if he would like to work too.
- I will call him, for more information (when the job will start)
Fedele and I got very excited about this idea, because it would be great to bring these people from such an “environment with no trust” together so I called on Friday……..
Stefanie_TheDeal_FAQ_02
People with different background of culture can find trust to each other…you just have to find the right one, maybe who believes in trust, I don`t know….would this be the way for building trust and it never depends of different culture?
Stefanie_TheDeal_story_03
Friday
So, on Friday I called the garden lady…and told her with a lot of enthusiasm about the kids and the father and so on….but she was in a really bad mood, some personal issues…so she couldn`t share our good idea- “too much people”, she apologized for her first o.k and she feels “very overstretched”, she said…..and so after a while during negotiating I decided to ask her one question. “ It ist o.k. when I call you later again, maybe you feel better and let`s talk about it then… she agreed…but Fedele and I were pretty much disappointed…It pulled so much energy….
Stefanie_TheDeal_FAQ_03
Is this the end of our garden project?
Did I just call her in the wrong moment, or is this a real “no”?
How serios is an ok and how long can we rely or believe that the job offer will exist?
Stefanie_TheDeal_Tips&Tricks_02
After our exhausting negotiations we stopped our interventions and took a break, it was the best for us and the project…and the people in the neighbourhood. Don`t worry, just overstretched about all what happened…….
Stefanie_MyIntervention_story_03
Sunday
On Saturday I left Berlin and went back to Albstadt for my job but in my mind I planned a strategy how I could delegate some jobs for the others…I wanted to let the two Turkish guys know that there will be just a small chance for the garten job and wanted to know too, if the kids would do another job, if available?
Stefanie_TheDeal_story_04
So I spontaneously called them and I got the ok from Erdal, the father. Sela couldn`t find one, he complaints that the young people he asked would be so unmotivated. Also I said to them, that I won`t be available until Wednesday, but another catalyst could call them……
Then I called the garden woman and made an offer:
2 children will come with one father, if this would be possible and she agreed…..wowh what happened?
Stefanie_TheDeal_FAQ_04
Can I, shall I trust the lady? Maybe there is always a change in her moods?
Why now?
Stefanie_TheDeal_Tips&Tricks_03
Just let it flow….and then you will see what happened……
Stefanie_TheDeal_story_05
So I decided to set up Vera with the Flash Job for Friday 4 o`clock for one hour…two children and one father….then I called Per in the Catalyst Office in Berlin and asked him if it would be ok that a 10 years old kid could participate when the father would come along – I got it.
- and then I called Erdal, he wasn`t surprised, and said OK too, so we made an appointment for Friday at 4 o`clock…all happened within 30 minutes I think so…so I am excited about what will happen on Friday.
Stefanie_TheDeal_FAQ_05
Does it really work? Up an down I am a little bit suspicious….
Stefanie_TheDeal_Tips&Tricks_04
I think it`s important to react as soon as possible, I didn´t want it that Erdal has to wait too long for another call…but I never thought about this chain reaction…I am really surprised….Isn`t it crazy?…..I wanna ask Erdal what he is thinking about the whole story……I’ll let you know…..
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FRIDAY - MAY 30, 2008 - 02:20:24 PM
Stefanie_MyReport_story_01
Hello, I am Stefanie. I am contributing in the role as a Catalyst to The Flash Job Campaign, June 1st - 15th. Throughout this project I will dedicate my blog to the stories, FAQ's and tips and tricks I develop alone and with other Catalysts. My first contribution is to publish the text I submitted in my application for the project. Among the thirteen Catalysts and the two writers (from the Project "Open Dialogues") we agreed to share our application-texts, since this seems like a fair way to start our relationship.
Here are my statements following the standard questions of the application form:
DESCRIBE YOUR REASONS FOR APPLYING, AS WELL AS RELEVANT PAST EXPERIENCES (IF ANY)
I am a socialworker who is doing art, or an artist who is doing socialwork. I dont`t know it exactly - but doing both at this project would be an interesting challenge..at the moment I am working in Albstadt with students at school for vocational training preparatory year. Doing preparation for working life is one of the main topic. I am always looking for new instruments and new methods in my work (in both art and socialwork) an I like to learn more about people and about myself...
Berlin is not a strange city. I have lived in Neukölln several times during my studies between 1987 and 1989. Since there I am still in touch with Berlin and friends who live there.
I like the idea of this project...a new form, a new concept - try and find out. It sounds good...I would like to be a catalyst.
DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTICE
painter, photographer
I am looking forward to meeting the other catalyst and looking for rooms between....
doing preparation
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