Michigan Bowl Visual Scribes Annals and Archive
Making an Old Tradition, New Again
The Visual Scribes project was inspired by the chronicles and portrayals of events, ceremonies and rituals by artists from ancient China, Korea and Japan. By reviving this time-honored tradition, the Scribe initiative recognizes the value of visual thought in ethics and the contributions of philosophy to artistic endeavors. The Scribe project also encourages us to learn about and study the philosophical legacy and vitally important philosophies of those regions.
Michigan Scribes A First
The Michigan High School Ethics Bowl Visual Scribes are unique, as our state conceived of and started the project. The Scribes project opens up additional and expanded opportunities for high school students interested in art and philosophy to become participants in the Bowl program, a growing national extracurricular in 28 states and the District of Columbia.
At the Bowl, Scribes have a venue and a creative space to re-imagine, argue for, and present their own ideas about the various ethics cases the Bowl teams discuss. At the same time, the visual depictions of the presentations, allow all participants to think about the ethics of documentation and the improvisational portrayal of ethical dilemmas.
This archive includes the work of the Visual Scribes in the vanguard--introduced and premiered at the 2019 Bowl. A detailed description and outline of how to become a Scribe and join the project can be found here.
2019:
In this depiction, Anya Krishtaleva from Meadow Montessori High School in Monroe, the first ever Bowl Visual Scribe, highlights the spirited discussion of a case between the teams from Saline and Ann Arbor Pioneer High Schools.
2020:
2020 Bowl Scribe Gabby Awada of University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe, depicts the ethical dilemmas stirred up by marketing targeted to youth on the part of Juul, a manufacturer of e-cigarettes.
Gabby Awada mentions 18th century rock star philosopher Immanuel Kant to interpret a case about informed consent.
In this sketch, Gabby responds to some of the ethical justifications for zoos, among them that they are educational. Is that enough?
Visual Scribe Christina Marogy from Avondale High School in Auburn Hills, interprets a case that involves the various moral meanings of being "A Sister's Keeper."
Christina Marogy portrays the question: Is the existence of zoos morally permissible?
In this depiction, Christina Marogy visually represents the responsibilities of a corporation toward its customers, especially vulnerable groups, such as youth.