It goes without saying that the pandemic has profoundly affected every aspect of our lives and of how we think of ourselves and our relation to each other in the changed world around us. Like so many others, coming out of the intense period of shutdowns and isolation, I experienced immense relief and joy in reconnecting with others. I have also been aware of letting go of an unusual and privileged space in time: the opportunity I had for self reflection and an empowering sense of privacy. In contrast, these days I often feel overwhelmed by the speed and impact of external events. I am increasingly aware of how these external realities are affecting my inner world. I came across an interesting article from the Human Systems Dynamic Institute about different kinds of change. It described one type of change as Dynamical – “looking at change as something that is ongoing and unpredictable. It acknowledges the complexity of many unknowns or unknowable factors. It relies on interdependent processes and no one element is dominant. By nature it is messy and chaotic.” When we think of the pressing issues for which we are trying to find solutions - the pandemic, climate change, social justice - they are all examples of our need to come to terms with Dynamical Change. In dealing with these complex and multi-dimensional issues, there is no doubt in my mind that we will need to develop new ways of communicating and working with others. But how do we honor our need and right to assert ourselves in the midst of the needs of others? How do we remain open to others in order to go beyond self and move forward? How does change begin? The title of this work is “Shift” and I think in many ways, the idea for the work began with an ending. A while ago I discovered some extraordinary video clips of a phenomenon known as "murmuration" or flocking, as it is more commonly known. I was struck by the result of so many complex and seemingly contradictory elements all emerging in these miraculous shifting patterns of spontaneous unity. Something about each individual part, connecting deeply yet freely to the whole, seemed to hold a metaphor for where we could go, given our present circumstances, and what we might aspire to better understand. -David Shimotakahara