Today we watched a presentation by Professor Don Bergland. He showed us a great video he created on you tube about artist and their ideas it was so funny for those of us in the room. I think its a great visual for all artists. For me it really struck me as the way I teach. I am constantly full of new ideas to try with kids. Once they start to get I, I get more ideas, better ideas, ways they could do it differently. Sometimes so many ideas that they start to feel overwhelmed. They want a beginning, middle and end. I really like beginnings!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOpnHnlN79s
Don really made a big impact on all of us. He discussed his studio practice. I could really relate to the struggle he was having with remembering and reviewing his ideas. Ironically we both decided that putting them in the computer worked for us as a way of storing and reviewing. As for his reflection stage, this is obviously something I am going to have to work on. It is why I am a little stagnant in life. I guess the effort, and time this stage takes was always a little overwhelming. If I had done it though I bet I would be a way more organized teacher and probably making more proactive decisions as an artist. So after his discussion I started this blog. Thanks Don!
Don also talked about legacy in art. This theme has been coming up for me a lot. Having a parent pass away makes you think about your own contributions to the world. Having art made from my mothers hands gives me the opportunity to feel the trace of her hands. I want that for my kids. It needs to be one of the goals of my work here.
Today we learned a new word. Exegesis. Lisa taught us how to shout it with our hands raised in prayer. Loved that, will never say it wrong again. Really. Praxis is a reflexive studio practice that entails a cycle of action then reflection then action. Not my strong point. Exegesis is the written portion we are learning is important because it helps us study the process of art making ( observations, descriptions and analyses) and puts the work into a "cultural context". This is important and I must start doing this more with my students know matter how painful. The key lesson of this week is reflection and documentation of that refection gives meaning to the work. Missing this step is doing them a disservice.
Another big phrase of the day is Hermeneutic ( Interpretation of the work to give meaning) Phenomenology ( intuitive, describing form without judgement seeing the essentials).
In this research model we need to look at the work objectively for patterns or themes, reflect and interpret meaning.
If I was to do this to my own work I would see the pattern of change, in subject, style. I would see that themes of creating patterns, texture, brush stroke and intense colour and emotion is repeated. I like to capture essences or life and movement in whatever the subjects are. The pattern of process shows that I like to really research techniques, styles methods intensely before I start. I love the challenge of learning new things and tend to move on once I feel that I understand them by being able to re-create the idea or technique a few times. Is this a weakness or a strength. I'm not sure.
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