Reflections since last tutorial:
Since my last tutorial with Michele, I’ve looked at so many different artists relating to home as a theme of interest. Some of these include Gordon Matta Clark, Sarah Lucas, Louise Benson, Jannis Kournellis, Robert Rauchenerg to name a few. Their influence has been great and I have a suspision that it will be evident as I continue experimenting and raking risks in the studio.
There has however been a greater focus on finding the suitable literature and have therefore been reading more than making since by last tutorial.
Overall feedback notes from tutorial discussion
My tutorial with Michele on the 16th of February was extremely helpful and reassuring. Before our meeting I felt a little bit panicked and overwhelmed from all the reading and sifting through various literature. I felt that my concept was perhaps a bit vague and my methods wide and undefined. Michele suggested that I might be far more structured than I thought I was and that my theme was in her opinion clear and interesting.
We spoke about my ‘UNDECIDED space’ and I enjoyed how she talked about this as as very real space. That I needed to admit that I am in an undecided space, embrace it and to work from there – to somehow use it. As I type this, I sense a link between undecided space and the notion of losing one’s sense of identity. Instead of it being an abstract, empty and confusing feeling – this undecided space could be renamed and call it a real place that I can use. I will give this some serious thought…
We also discussed the type of literature I could focus on. Michele told me about Topophilia by Yi-Fu Tuan. I was instantly very interested about the book and have since read up about the term and the author whoom I find very fascinating and inspiring. I think it will make a wonderful link between my theme. I will make sure I get the book soon.
Reflexivity and my personal journal was another topic of conversation during which she encouraged me to continue with that. Perhaps some of my art will flow from the journal into another artform, but it is a good and authentic place for me to be creating from. It links well with my theme of Inner landscape as a sense of place.
I appreciate that Michele was also open and willing to speak about my connection with teaching (an visual journaling workshop) to a group of people in an informal settlement where I have the opportunity to visit. Perhaps this could lead to find further inspiration and insight into the space they call home (ie. What does a ‘sense of place’ look like for them).
Generally I feel that I have more clarity and peace about the direction I am heading and I feel that I have enough literature for now.
Action points arising from the tutorial
– Within my essay I need to strengthen an underpin where and how I aim to use reflexive research. I will therefore read through the MA paper on Reflexivity which Michele has emailed me after our discussion.
– Also in my essay there needs to be clarity in terms of the materials/medium I aim to use and the benefits of moving between disciplines (drawing, painting, sculpting, photography, writing).
– Look at the book Topophilia by Yi-Fu Tuan. As well as the artist Kiki Smith – specifically her way of thinking.
– Michele also sent me an email with 4 documents which I have printed out for further reading.