30 Days on Paper: A Month of Creative Self-Documentation

Opening Session:  Tuesday, March 18, 2025. 19.00-20.00 CET (Berlin time)

Summarizing Session: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 18:00 - 20:00 CET (Berlin time)

Open to All Past and Current Participants of the Paper Lab Berlin

Exploring the Rich Connection between Paper and Skin

We are excited to announce “30 Days on Paper,” a month-long journey open to all past and current participants of the Paper Lab Berlin. This innovative project invites you to engage in a profound exploration of paper as a medium of self-documentation, reflecting on the intricate relationship between paper and the human experience. Inspired by the metaphor of paper as skin, this initiative seeks to illuminate how both serve as vessels for identity, memory, and expression.

Concept Overview: Paper as Skin

At its core, this exploration reimagines paper not merely as a material but as a living entity that embodies the essence of human experience. Just as skin protects, connects, and records the passage of life, paper offers a surface for creativity that captures the nuances of our identities and experiences. Paper as skin invites us to consider the following themes:

• Origins and Evolution: From humanity’s earliest attempts to mark skin and stone to the invention of paper, we recognize the deep historical roots of expression. This journey will reflect on how these mediums have served as canvases for communication, memory, and connection, marking the evolution of human creativity.

• Learning from Nature: The process of creating paper draws from the wisdom of nature. By mimicking natural structures, we celebrate the bond between organic processes and artistic expression. Participants will explore how these connections enrich our understanding of both mediums.

• Embodied Experience: Just as skin reflects the stories of our lives through its marks and textures, paper becomes a map of our personal narratives. This aspect of the project emphasizes self-topography—how we layer experiences onto paper, transforming it into a record of our identities.

Program Structure

Opening Session: To kick off the initiative, we will hold an introductory meeting on March 19, 2025, where participants will receive guidance on the framework for the month ahead. This session will foster an environment of creativity and intention, setting the stage for deep exploration.

Documentation and Creative Practice: Throughout the 30 days, participants will engage in a daily practice of visual journaling. This is not a workshop in the traditional sense; rather, it is a self-directed exploration where you have the freedom to experiment with various techniques related to paper art. The emphasis will be on personal expression—participants are encouraged to delve into their artistic processes, allowing creativity to flow organically. Your journal will serve as a powerful document of your self-topography.

Summarizing Session: On April 29, 2025, we will gather for a concluding session. Here, participants will have the opportunity to present their findings, insights, and reflections. Each presentation will include key visual and textual highlights from your 30-day journey, providing a structured platform for sharing and connecting with others in the Paper Lab community.

Reflection and Integration of Text

As an essential component of this self-exploration, integrating text into your documentation will enrich your narrative. Participants are encouraged to reflect on their experiences through writing, enhancing the depth of their visual journal and creating a more layered understanding of their artistic voice.

Important Notes:

• Limited Spaces: Due to the immersive nature of this project, spaces are limited. We encourage participants to register early to secure their place in this unique journey.

• Recorded Sessions: Both the opening and summarizing sessions will be recorded, allowing participants to revisit discussions and insights shared throughout the process.

Conclusion: Join Us in This Creative Exploration

“30 Days on Paper” is an invitation to expand your artistic practice and deepen your engagement with paper as a living medium. By connecting the concepts of paper and skin, we aim to facilitate a rich understanding of how these elements shape our identities and experiences. Join us in this transformative journey to discover the unbounded possibilities of creative self-documentation through paper.