Publications

F E A T U R E D M O C A

P U B L I C A T I O N

In 2019, I developed the theory of The Empathic Gaze,™along with a series of accompanying workshops and a book explaining the concept. After four years of editing and false starts, MOCA will release a digital book version in October 2024. We will publish a physical copy soon after, as funds allow.

Below, you will find a brief intro to the book.

The Empathic Gaze™: Art Thinking, Theory & Praxis Vol 1

Curated thoughts on empathy by Mona Penn-Jousset

Edited by Jon van Zytveld

Cover image: Herica by Coco Olakunle

During the spring 2019 COVID-19 lockdown, I was working (by invitation) as a lecturer at two top-tier Dutch art academies in the Netherlands. After experiencing multiple incidents of racism, hearing multiple stories of discrimination from my students and others on both campuses, and seeing the expansive global reaction to George Floyd's death, I wanted to make a clear and intelligible contribution to understanding the culture of the Dutch art academies specifically and Dutch culture in general.

I began interviewing students, staff, and faculty at both academies. I codified my findings while exploring ways to encourage diversity of perspective and expand open discussion and healthy debate. To do this, I returned to university in 2021. In January 2022, I obtained a Master of Arts and Society from Utrecht University. My thesis was "Beyond the Pale: Reforming Dutch Art Academies as Locations Where Narratives and Histories of People Are Constructed and Maintained."

The Empathic Gaze™ theory is a direct product of the contents of my thesis. It serves as the basis for my Empathic Gaze™ workshops and book. I designed the theory of The Empathic Gaze™ and the accompanying workshops and the book to increase the potential of all educators, makers, organizations, and individuals to empathize with one another.

The Empathic Gaze™ theory is universally applicable and transcends specific fields. Users can apply them to any practice, from environmental stewardship to entrepreneurship, human resources, new media, photography, philosophy, history, science, and technology.

Workshop participants co-create a framework for thinking about and applying empathic vision to their lives and work using a three-point concept of Approach, Methodology, and Impact.

Finally, The Empathic Gaze™ workshop invites participants to employ contemplative reflection methods. Through these modalities, participants undergo a transformative process. They step away from their goals and look at or think about the people with whom they interact and collaborate and for whom they create.

The Empathic Gaze™ process is about gaining new perspectives, empowering and enlightening yourself, and bringing a new, empathic perspective to your work and life.