Amber-ing at exhibition ''Skola 2014''
Considering that the exhibition "Skola 2014" [School 2014] is a popular event among perspective university students, especially the ones striving to study abroad, I had certainly planned to attend. However, the idea of combining it with voluntary work, came rather spontaneously, for I signed up only a day before the exhibition. Although I once again represented the organization Riga 2014, this time I was given the opportunity to "amber" people - invite them to step inside an enormous figure made of real amber and smile for our photographer. Since I considered it a new challenge and found the whole idea of using amber as a symbol of Riga very clever, I did not hesistate to accept the task.
I arrived at Ķīpsala Event Centre early in the morning, half an hour before the opening of the exhibition. Being already acquainted with some of the volunteers, I had no trouble finding Riga 2014 coordinators and the particular spot where I was to work for five hours. Fortunately, besides from myself two volunteers had signed up for the specific task - one person could not go up to people, help them get inside the amber and take photos all at once. Hence, in order to (hopefully) work more productively, we decided to split responsibilities. Considering that Dārta - an IB Middle Years Programme student and a first-time volunteer - wished to hand out stickers for those willing to go into the amber and Linda - already a college student - although more confident, said to be considerably good at photography, I took up perhaps the most challenging task: invite or, rather, talk people into taking a photo inside the human-sized amber.
Although some people must have already seen and been inside the amber while it was at the Central Market, I must admit, I had expected people to express more interest in the gigantic and interactive piece of art. Yet, saying that we got only one 'client' in the first half an hour would not be an exaggeration of the matter. Of course, the number of people coming to the exhibition was considerably smaller at 9 am than a few hours later, but still the lack of interest came as an unpleasant surprise since four times out of five my and Linda's - who also took a shot at inviting people since she had scarcely anyone to take photos of - attempts were rejected. I figured that perhaps people did not really understand the purpose of the amber from afar and were afraid to be the only ones being interested and suggested that maybe one of us should actually stand inside the amber. Naturally the suggestion was mostly targeted at Dārta, for she was not busy doing anything else... and apparently was content with that, as the proposal was turned down with an easy laugh.
Maybe the reason for refraining to go inside the amber was that - as one lady admitted - the work of art reminded her of human stomach or another internal organ (she did, however, eventually step inside it). When the numbers of people coming and going increased we succeeded to lure more people in the large amber. I found myself accosting adults with small children and groups of friends more than individuals hoping that - even if one person intended to shy away from the opportunity - others would have the power to persuade him. Also, aiming to encourage people we allowed for two or even three people to go inside the amber together and in the end a few hundred photos were taken. Ironically and probably as a consequence of us being dressed in the yellow volunteer T-shirts, many people came asking for directions to the nearest bathroom, the other exhibition or to the stand of some university that they had not found on their own. If I am not mistaken, only one person in five hours walked up to us and actually wanted - without receiving a verbal invitation - pose inside the large amber.
Had I known he would be the only one, I would have taken a photo of him myself.
inside the hall, before the exhibition
one of the most noticeable booths there
my workplace - my amber - my stomach doppelgänger
RSU booth - human anatomy
(failed) attempt to take a selfie in front of a beautiful wall
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My reflections
Although I signed up for this activity rather spontaneously, simply being enticed by its description, I am glad I did. Of course the exhibition "Skola 2014" was not something one should miss, and volunteering as a Riga 2014 agent was an amazing opportunity not only to see the exhibition and do a good deed, but also to try something entirely new.
As it turned out, the wonderful word "Amber-ing" meant "standing next to a gigantic amber and inviting people to come and take a photo inside it" and that was exactly what I did. Together with two other volunteers, one of whom - although four years younger - was also an IB student, I stood in the way of people who had come to see the exhibition and offered them to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity (considering the responsiveness, I guess I should say 'accept the challenge') to step inside the human-size amber and smile for the camera. Although approximately only one person out of five was willing to do that, the activity was an interesting and after all the rejections - truly challenging experience. While actively communicating with unknown people and to some telling directions either to the nearest bathroom or the other exhibition across the hall, I observed different kinds of people: ones who engaged in the activity without a second's hesitation, ones who shied away and ones who did not want to hear a word about it.
Being able to draw vague parallels between this activity and handing out booklets that I have done twice before - as they involve going up to random people and offering them something they probably do not want - I can now say that I enjoyed"amber-ing" much better.
Despite being rejected more often than I hoped, surprisingly this activity boosted my confidence, and in the end I was certainly better at convincing people than before. Being aware that I still have to work on my communicative skills, I am really glad I took part in this activity, for I believe that it helped me a lot.
Although I signed up for this activity rather spontaneously, simply being enticed by its description, I am glad I did. Of course the exhibition "Skola 2014" was not something one should miss, and volunteering as a Riga 2014 agent was an amazing opportunity not only to see the exhibition and do a good deed, but also to try something entirely new.
As it turned out, the wonderful word "Amber-ing" meant "standing next to a gigantic amber and inviting people to come and take a photo inside it" and that was exactly what I did. Together with two other volunteers, one of whom - although four years younger - was also an IB student, I stood in the way of people who had come to see the exhibition and offered them to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity (considering the responsiveness, I guess I should say 'accept the challenge') to step inside the human-size amber and smile for the camera. Although approximately only one person out of five was willing to do that, the activity was an interesting and after all the rejections - truly challenging experience. While actively communicating with unknown people and to some telling directions either to the nearest bathroom or the other exhibition across the hall, I observed different kinds of people: ones who engaged in the activity without a second's hesitation, ones who shied away and ones who did not want to hear a word about it.
Being able to draw vague parallels between this activity and handing out booklets that I have done twice before - as they involve going up to random people and offering them something they probably do not want - I can now say that I enjoyed"amber-ing" much better.
Despite being rejected more often than I hoped, surprisingly this activity boosted my confidence, and in the end I was certainly better at convincing people than before. Being aware that I still have to work on my communicative skills, I am really glad I took part in this activity, for I believe that it helped me a lot.
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