Who

15 to 20 people

Source et inspiration

Course by Boris-Numa Damestoy taught as part of the DEEA master’s program (Direction d’Établissement en Enseignement Artistique, Rouen University)

Where

Anywhere

DURATION

10 minutes

MATERIALS

Paper and pencils (one per person)

EXERCISE DESCRIPTION

1. Ask each person to draw a tree in exactly 30 seconds
2. Individually, participants note the elements that appear in their drawing and answer a few key analytical questions:
   • What did I draw? Which elements are present (trunk, leaves, branches, roots, ground)?
   • What did I draw spontaneously? What felt essential without thinking?
   • What did I draw deliberately? Which details were consciously added? (i.e. scenery, fruit)
   • What secondary or invisible elements (roots, environment) did I choose to draw, or did I forget?
   • Why these choices?
3. Participants share their experiences through collective exploration; each participant presents their drawing and shares their own analysis:
   • Which parts of the tree felt necessary? Which parts were omitted?
   • What symbolism appears?
     • The trunk may symbolize structure or foundation: that which is essential and visible
     • The branches may symbolize connection or development
     • Roots are often forgotten because they’re invisible; they represent what lies underneath (invisible work, values, foundations)
     • The ground can be seen as a stable base or the environmental context
     • The foliage represents visible results, the “finished product”
   • How do these different elements relate to how we (or others) perceive our work?
     • How does the drawing reflect our different ways of working within our sector(s)?
     • Explore the invisible or neglected aspects of the work: what are the “roots” (foundations) or “branches” (connections) that you tend to forget?
     • If the tree represents a structure or a project: which part is given priority? Which aspects would benefit from being further nourished or strengthened?
   • Practical application
     • Reflect on how to integrate these “invisible roots” into your professional practices
     • Prioritize essential elements when time is limited, while maintaining an overview