Unit 1 has been a period of reformation technically, conceptually and personally. The blog journal is a critical place for the documentation of an intensive period of research, development and clarification of my practice. It has enabled me to broaden and deepen my subject knowledge, technical skills and very importantly, refine my writing. The result has been to build a methodology and ability to articulate the what, how and why of what I do and very importantly establish more clearly a renewed context for the work. As a document, the blog serves as a tool for retrospection, and will no doubt be invaluable for future reference. This is on ongoing project which will continue to develop many aspects of my practice well into the future.
The majority of the blog posts are written in such a way as to include two or more learning outcomes.
Many of the posts are not in the form of straight factual information but as reflective responses and analyses mostly in the context of my practice.
Number of posts, if more than one in each link in brackets.
Learning Outcomes 1
Formulate, describe and implement a challenging and self-directed programme of study, relating to your Project Proposal (research; subject knowledge; communication and presentation; professional and personal development).
The learning content during this period spontaneously organised itself into three broad and overlapping phases. The aim has been to move towards an increasingly coherent methodology.
Phase 1 A period of freely exploring ideas and revisiting techniques in the context of openness to new pathways.
Phase 2, is a time for consolidating and deepening the research and forming a theoretical framework, developing technical processes, building towards a methodology.
Phase 3, has been a time of bringing together the research and formulating a thesis on which to base the beginnings of future work.
Phase 1 started with a vague initial aim around which I explored a number of mediums, techniques and themes, gradually building a refreshed context and new methodology in view of the evolving Project Proposal.
passing from phase 1 to phase 2
passing from phase 2 to phase 3
phase 3 – a drilling down into the depth of work
Development of Aims and Project Proposal
Reflection on the Project Proposal process
Development of Research Statement
preliminary ideas (2) sound and sculpture
second idea (8) evolution and culture
improving research statement writing
final idea (3) Evolutionary Space
On Organisation
Tabula Rasa a way of articulating ideas
on tags (3)
on labelling a philosophical slant on an aspect of organising
Increasing Subject Knowledge
Poetry
Robert Graves and Ovid (par. 6) also regarding the nature of myths
Arts Context
Giovanni Vetere (par. 4)
Richard Long (par. 4)
Writing
Theory
ritual, wabi sabi, Confusionism (Relic)
David Wengrow hypothesis on cultural evolution
Indian religious philosophy in the context of my practice
Christian Heath the anthropology of the object
theory of sound art Ed Kelly
Technical
kintsukuroi – and sculpture
An Evolved Presentation of Ideas through Interim Shows
Learning Outcomes 2
Critically engage with practice-based research and contribute actively to debate and discussion (analysis; technical competence; experimentation; collaborative and/or independent professional working).]
Practice based research
Drawing and Sculpture
sequential narratives (7) a reflection
first sculpture ideas – initial ideas for a sculpture
Maquette 1 – Oracle – photography, ceramic, drawing – on and in-action reflection
maquette 2 – Oracle – drawing – on and in-action reflection
maquette 1a – philosophy, photography, on and in-action reflection
maquette 3 – photography, on-action reflection
large maquette ceramic and drawing
reflections on large maquette logos
Sound
sound and sculpture (par. 20)
Writing
writing for video Post-Truth-Hurtling
prose 1 (Fall)
Sculpture
kintsukuroi 1 – experiment
kintsukuroi 2 experiment
kintsukuroi 3 experiment
kintsukuroi 4 experiment
kintsukuroi 5 experiment
Alimentary canal (par. 5 and fig. 3)
Signing work – on signing work, reflection (A Canticle for Liebovitz is mentioned which subsequently returns in draft 3 of Project Proposal)
Photography
Engagement with others
Symposium 1
on peers’ starting practices 1 Matt ( par. 2) Aristotle (par. 3) Michelle (par. 5) Ash (par. 6) Pav (par. 7)
on peers’ starting practices 2 Chris ( par. 3) Friederike (par. 4) Irina (par. 5) Sandra (par. 6)
- Skype sessions,
- tutorials,
- group tutorials and seminars,
- presentations,
- exhibitions,
- collaborations,
- workshops
- exhibitions
- residency tours
Unit 1 can be divided into two seamless processes: one is the development of techniques and methodologies in my own practice; the other is one of collaborative work and conversations which yield different insights and widen my contextual awareness of practices, ideas and approaches.
Learning Outcomes 3
Critically reflect upon your practice and articulate a clear understanding of methodology and context of your creative practice (analysis; research; communication and presentation).
My practice has undergone a change in kind and depth. I have gradually evolved an analysis of my work through experimentation, informal research, as well as more formal academic research in the research statement.
I have learnt how to explicate my practice and ideas more clearly in the blog and more formal settings such as:
reflection on phase 1 (Grappling with the Angel)
Mid Point Review and Onwards
I have not yet approached a more public arena because I have been researching and developing my methodology and artist’s statement during the unit 1 period.
I have researched in a number of areas including:
- Sound
- visual arts
- computer generated art
- literature
- archaeology and anthropology
- biology
I have also critically analysed my experiments and practice
I constantly reflect in-action and on-action (the majority of posts reflect both these aspects). I look at the progression of things and decide on the next course of action.
http://blog.alexisrago.com/tutorials/ Wed, 24 Jul 2019 17:45:19 +0000 http://blog.alexisrago.com/?page_id=5834
Jonathan Kearney: 17 January 2019 3. Jonathan Kearney: 17 June 2019 4. Gareth Polmeer: 01 August 2019 5. Gareth Polmeer: 04 October 2019 6. Jonathan Kearney: 15 October 2019]]>
http://blog.alexisrago.com/unit-1-assessment-b/ Thu, 31 Oct 2019 22:59:31 +0000 http://blog.alexisrago.com/?page_id=6312
Note to Reader
The majority of the posts in this online journal contain elements of reflection to a greater or lesser extent. Because of the number of entries and the fluidity of their content, I have decided to place links to the posts under each learning outcome according to what I would consider to be its most salient point at this moment. However, many of the posts cover two or more of the learning outcome criteria.
When documenting and writing, my intention has been to weave reflective responses, analyses, and straightforward information into a fabric that synthesises and contextualises elements of my practice in what could be considered an essay waiting to be composed… or an artist’s statement.
Where there are more than one post in a link, the number is shown in brackets.
Unit 1 has been a period of reformation technically, conceptually and personally. The blog journal is a critical place, within the physical workflow of studio practice, for the documentation of research, development and clarification of the how, what, and why of what I do.
During this period I have broadened the scope of my research and deepened my subject knowledge, technical skills, and refined my writing. The result has been to build a methodology, establish a fresh context, and improved my ability to articulate my artistic practice.
As a document, the blog serves as a tool for retrospection, and will no doubt be invaluable for future reference. This is an ongoing project which will continue to develop many aspects of my practice well into the future.
Learning Outcomes 1
Formulate, describe and implement a challenging and self-directed programme of study, relating to your Project Proposal.
The learning content during Unit 1, spontaneously organised itself into three broad and overlapping phases. This has resulted in an increasingly coherent methodology supported by a developing conceptual narrative which is leading towards a new and innovative body of work.
Phase 1: a period of freely exploring ideas and revisiting techniques in the context of openness to new pathways…
passing from phase 1 to phase 2 post Mid Point Review
Phase 2: a time for consolidating and deepening the research and forming a theoretical framework, developing technical processes, synthesised to elaborate a working methodology.
Mid Point Review feedback a pivotal point in the structure of my research
Intentions for an approach to the third phase
passing from phase 2 to phase 3 end of year
Phase 3: has been a time for distilling the essence of a methodology that brings together focused concepts and clear pathways towards making work within but not bounded by, the parameters of the project proposal.
phase 3 – from direction to depth beginning of Summer
about to start Unit 2 about to enter a new phase of work
on sticking to a path in order to change direction written in May, long before Unit 2
Development of Aims and Project Proposal Latest Version PDF
before enrolment elastic thinking, synthesis and renewal
Symposium I disparate means and their synthesis
first Project Proposal language and the ineffable as myth
Second Project Proposal myth, science and artistic production
reflection on second PP the process of building the PP
third Project Proposal the sacred, profane, separation enshrined
reflection on the Project Proposal process from the ineffable towards…
Development of Research Statement Full Copy
preliminary ideas (2) sound and sculpture
second idea (8) evolution and culture
improving research statement writing reiterating the RS in plain English
forming the RS arising out of Skype chat
ideas regarding RS arising out of a Skype chat
second idea – Tutorial 4: Gareth suggests leads (William Latham -which couples with Eric Olson’s paper on computational)
RS takes a different direction making it more relevant and useful
final idea (3) Evolutionary Space
preparing for final tutorial with Gareth having pared the statement for a revision by Gareth
tidying up Tutorial 5: Gareth and some useful follow ups
For completed RS see LO3 below – critical piece of writing incorporated in methodology and critical thinking.
On Organisation
library induction Skype Chat 1.4
tabula rasa a way of articulating ideas
what to do with tags and their difficulty
more on tags a way forward
the tag problem finally resolved together with categories
walking as a means of working a regulating, refreshing ritual
on labelling a philosophical slant on an aspect of organising
Subject Knowledge
bibliography a list by no means exhaustive, of some of sources I have consulted
resources some useful links
Poetry
Ted Hughes creation reinvented
Rebecca Elson the cosmos and the interior world, art and science
Robert Graves and Ovid (par. 6) also regarding the nature of myths
Arts Context
Wolfgang Gil sound as a spatial object
Giovanni Vetere (par. 4) physical articulation of ceramic sculpture
Emily Allchurch (par. 3) digital photographic stitching and classicism
Marguerite Humeau correspondent themes
Andrew Lord phusis and ceramics
William Latham an introduction by Gareth
Richard Long (par. 4) and walking
William Kentridge artistic practice in making sense of the world
Morehshin Allahyaai script, myth, politics and video
Jonny Briggs for the way he both mystifies and reveals
Emily Huurdeman essaying (par. 1)
Writing
tutorial 1 the role of the blog journal (section 1)
style and content jargon and clarity
on clarity hints on how to write clearly
zuihitsu the spirit of essaying
Prose writing
Ancestral on a main theme in the project proposal
Theory
methodology critical action research theory by Jonathan Kearney
ritual, wabi sabi, Confusionism (par. 2)
David Wengrow hypothesis on cultural evolution
Hermaphroditus gender
Indian religious philosophy in the context of my practice
uniformism consistency, local and distant
Christian Heath the anthropology of the object, observing behaviours to inform action
Lev Manovich on tactics to survive the strategies of conformity – staying one step ahead
theory of sound art Ed Kelly – fragmentation, granularity and re-composition
Emily Huurdeman theory of essay writing
elusive taxonomies: taxonomy and mereology understanding the process and identifying its context and reasons
Plato, Mercianism and Aristotle raising mud and dust to a divine state through myth
Martin Heidegger describing the artist’s relationship with their work, the nature of that work, and its relationship with the world.
Molyneux’s Problem regarding sight and touch (pars 1-4) also see LO3 How differently the same world is shaped.
the nature of myths mechanisms vs narratives – see also under LO3 ‘other reflections’
Technical
kintsukuroi – ancient unification in a fragmented contemporary world
labelling – semantics words, building blocks of the mind
Pure Data (par. 3) see MAX MSP
Pure Data (par. 3)
Blender (par. 3) a consideration
Workshops
sound Low Residency 2019 with Ed Kelly
digital mapping Low Residency 2019 with Marius Simkus
Tutorials with Jonathan
The tutorials with Jonathan are a valuable way of keeping the work on track, ask questions whilst maintaining the freedom to experiment and not close down options.
tutorial 1
This initial tutorial deals with future aims and objectives
role of blog journal (section 1)
plans and aims (section 2)
initial proposed projects (section 3)
on motivations (section 4)
action plan (section 5)
tutorial 2
discussion of work till Jan 17 2019
Graven images – what they are about
Journal writing process and its effect
possibilities of video in my practice
shadows – significance in my practice
line video – a metaphor for my practice
modularity, evolution and my practice evolution
Heuristics, playfulness and control
Change, process philosophy
Sound: MAX MSP uses for the future
Photography – East coast
on Labelling the World post
tutorial 3
Discussion on What is the difference
dialects: finishing, raw or refined
of emotional and rational
separateness from nature
individual vs group dynamics
language
scale of work and modularity
neutrality of material
building a vocabulary through referencing
superficiality of current visual culture
titles, words and layering of open interpretations
tutorial 6
regarding methodology and project proposal
sound – acoustic relationships and challenges
installation and space – modularity and planning
writing, icon, amputation video and enshrinement
Interim Shows: their part in developing ideas
The interim shows have given me a framework around which I have developed a series of ideas that play an important part in the shaping of the project proposal. There has been a movement between physical forms projected as shadows and their juxtaposition with video representations. This has led me to consider how ideas can be cast away from the thing itself See Interim Shows below under LO3.
Learning Outcomes 2
Critically engage with practice-based research and contribute actively to debate and discussion.
Through action research, coupled with in and on-action reflection, dialogues, debates and contextual research, I have been able to build a methodology, framed within but not bounded by the project proposal. The Research Statement has given an added conceptual depth to my methodology in terms of wider contextual considerations.
Practice based research
Drawing and Sculpture
drawing sequences – early ideas that emerge later
a precedence for subject matter
the simplicity of drawing development of precursors
precursors to display enshrinement of the current project proposal
a narrative emerges sequential moments
the self reflected waiting
graphic narrative as a means to grasp an idea
developing the graphic narrative looking back at this in the light of what I have learnt, this acts as a metaphor for how to and not to develop a methodology.
first sculpture ideas – initial ideas for a sculpture
maquette 1 – Oracle – photography, ceramic, drawing – on and in-action reflection
maquette 2 – Oracle – drawing – on and in-action reflection
maquette 1a – philosophy, photography, on and in-action reflection
maquette 3 – photography, on-action reflection
large maquette ceramic and drawing
reflections on large maquette logos
drawings for What is the Difference? Plato, Mercianism, etc
Sound
Fabric of Common Descent soundtrack, collaboration with Janet
sound workshop – Ed Kelly, theory, editing with Audacity, and recording
a response to the final show interactive engagement strategy for sound (see also Skype chat 4.1 on Ars Electronica re: Wu Yuehui’s correspondences with my previous work)
details regarding sonic circumvention ultra low frequencies
Writing
writing for video Post-Truth-Hurtling
prose 1 (Ancestral)
prose 2 (Fall)
on clarity understanding what I am writing
Sculpture
kintsukuroi 1 – experiment
kintsukuroi 2 experiment
kintsukuroi 3 experiment
kintsukuroi 4 experiment
kintsukuroi 5 experiment
modularity of life (par. 1-4)
alimentary canal (par. 5 and fig. 3)
sound sculpture and words reflections on a porcelain study
porcelain study see taxonomy and mereology in LO1
porcelain study trajectory during phase 1, altered during phase 3 to a more focused project proposal.
porcelain study and myths
porcelain studies (three) and a riddle on Hermaphroditus
on methodology starting second large porcelain work
on finishing porcelain experimental tests and influences
to colour or not ceramic works experiment
metal framework for display
maquette for large hanging porcelain
Signing work – on signing work, reflection (A Canticle for Liebovitz is mentioned which subsequently returns in draft 3 of Project Proposal)
Hermaphroditus a model
porcelain maquette for What is the Difference? A dialectic (see a critique on this maquette under LO3)
Experiment 1 for Spes Contra Spem
Experiment 2 for Spes Contra Spem
Experiment 3 for Spes Contra Spem
maquettes in continuation of large conversants (now called Spes Contra Spem)
Photography
Many of the posts include an element of photography both as a documentary medium as well as one it its own right such as in:
anthropology and archaeology a mini project
Video
first experiment a confluence of coincidences
second experiment working without logic
third experiment an interest in shadows
regarding control (par. 4)
source of motion post-truth hurtling without text
post-truth-hurtling with no sound juxtaposed with text
about Mythopoeia I post-truth-hurtling – for pop up show
Mythopoeia I: post-truth-hurtling video and text
drawing a line reflections on past, future and the imagination
shadows: thought experiment regarding another dimension
Mythopoeia II: Worship video and remastering of vintage recording
Do Shadows Dance When There is No Light? re-edited for Impromptu 2.0
Mythopoeia IV: Ancestor the video used in the installation at the Summer interim show
Digital and Coding
Max MSP and other visual programming (section 2, par 4)
Pure Data, Raspberry Pi and Arduino collecting material
Arduino first steps in coding and circuitry
Engagement with others
ongoing conversation with Taiyo fragmentation, collage; meaning, interest and significance – also links with these previous thought
a practical response to Wills comment on the Mid Point Review (par. 4)
preliminary ideas of student cohort
Symposium 1
on peers’ starting practices 1 (Skype chat 1.2) Matt ( par. 2) Aristotle (par. 3) Michelle (par. 5) Ash (par. 6) Pav (par. 7)
on peers’ starting practices 2 (Skype chat 1.3) Chris ( par. 3) Friederike (par. 4) Irina (par. 5) Sandra (par. 6)
Low Residency 2019
at the start of the residency a personal prelude
collaborative video making day 1
group tutorials day 2
sound workshop day 4 – collecting sounds together
Re-Figure-Ground artwork and the digital
digital mapping workshop days 6 and 7
Midpoint Review
feedback full documentation
on significance and meaning and in conversation with Taiyo I include ‘interest’ into this relationship
Skype Chats
online discussions, artist’s talks and tutor-led sessions
Term 1
1.2 Symposium 1st week reflecting on the various symposia
1.3 Symposium 2nd week continued
1.4 Library Induction – Gustavo Montero
1.5 Re: Unit 1 and Project Proposal
1.6 Coding workshop – Paul Abbott
1.7 Elusive Taxonomies 1 a way to identify critical descriptions of practices
1.8 Elusive Taxonomies 2 as gerund, adjective; message baked into the code
1.9 Nick Lambert Live Stream digital practice – becomes relevant context with Research Statement later in the year
1.10 Artist’s Talk – Vic Von Posser – performance, iterations towards ritual
Term 2
2.1 Interaction, Immersion and Control artwork, artist and receiver
2.2 Interaction, Narrative and Play behaviours, dynamics and meaning
2.3 Artist’s Talk: Xavier Sole Mora – rights, obsolescence and other considerations when working with others and appropriated material in a digital environment
2.4 The Practice of Everyday Life – Lev Manovich
2.5 The Anthropology of the Object – Christian Heath – observed behaviours shaping methodology
2.6 Sound – Edward Kelly – sound as a medium and some taxonomies and methodologies; sound collage and other alternative ways of composing acoustic works without using ‘notes’.
Term 3
3.1 An Introduction to the Research Statement why write one?
3.2 Artist’s Talk – Jonny Briggs – the honesty of disclosing the illusion as part of the offering
3.3 Four Assumptions art is not a God given gift to a few but only a few have chosen to fully take on its challenges even before there were artists.
3.4 Research Statement 1 looking at an idea left behind
3.5 Research Statement 2 the ‘mystic’ mechanics of writing one
Term 4
4.1 Unit 1 Assessment and Process – also Ars Electronica – correspondences are never far away
4.2 Making Sense by Making Art – on artistic practice and the relationship with work as a reflection in one’s eye of the world – Kentridge
4.3 A Philosophical Session from blog creation to being and existence
4.4 On Focus and Attention Span – how to survive the digital disruption
4.5 Andy Lomas art, science: synthesis or dialysis
Collaborations
Virtual Particles – gif animation for pop up show – group collaboration with Dannii composing the animation
collecting is not only a singular activity – with Janet
sound track for video animation Fabric of Common Descent with Janet
Impromptu – my image for poster designed by Dannii
Learning Outcomes 3
Critically reflect upon your practice and articulate a clear understanding of methodology and context of your creative practice.
My practice has undergone a change in kind and depth. I have gradually evolved an analysis of my work through experimentation, conversations, informal as well as more formal research. I have learnt how to explicate my practice and ideas more clearly in the blog and more formal settings such as:
Tutorials, the symposium, mid-point review and interim shows which present a development of methodology towards an increasingly focused and concentrated vision on themes and ideas that expresses more than it shows in the first instance.
At the start
interview pre-course with the two subsequent years in mind
preparing for first symposium on the constraints of 5 minutes
Symposium I the video
bowerbird reminds me of an aspect of my work reflected in the Mid Point Review feedback (pars 18 – 27).
Mid Point
Mid Point Review presentation
reflection on phase 1 (Grappling with the Angel)
Research Statement
completed RS abstract and PDF of paper – this research coined the term, evolutionary space to describe the conceptual area in which a practice evolves in an exchange of information with its relevant ecosystem which in turn forms part of, and is in contact with, a larger environment.
Reflections on Methodology
reflecting on the act of drawing
materiality recreating and the vessel as membrane
existential notions a musing on sentience and empathy
space and time to reflect away from studio; in context of college activities
my practice in the context of Hegel and Pinkard
a continuous thread in my practice: from the gut
a simple reflection on the continuity of process in a finished piece
significance and meaning a response to the MPR
reflections on a maquette what I am attempting and how
Molyneux’s Problem (par. 5 and 6)
raw and refine in the context of a maquette, particularly par. 3 and 4.
artistic correspondences regarding low frequency and installations
learning from a failure a thought experiment / artwork
reflections on drawing a line certainty, distance and time
Other Reflections
early thoughts on art and machines: a context for making
on rhythm can in be a thing in visual arts
control and my practice its ebb and flow as reconciliation
on titles offering another layer of meaning (see tutorial 3)
working relationship with the digital (par. 1-3)
the nature of myths reflecting on a major theme in my practice
metamorphosis myths and transformation
gender and language – my practice as an essay
on taxonomy and mereology used to analyse the shaping of my practice
titling a work is bound with feelings towards an idea – hope (par. 2)
textual layering layering inferences
theme and title a reflection on philosophy and artistic intentions optimism and cynicism.
Tutorials
The tutorials also help in articulating difficult ideas and finding tactics in navigating the complexities of building a new methodology. (see LO1 as part of course planning)
tutorial 1 Jonathan – the role of the blog, plans, projects and relationship with the work.
tutorial 2 Jonathan – updating progress in terms of methodology and relationship with methodology including new approaches
tutorial 3 Jonathan – a discussion centred around one work which deals with existential and aesthetic concerns.
tutorial 4 Gareth – helping to identify aims of the Research Statement through questioning the structure and content of the draft.
tutorial 5 Gareth – tidying up loose ends and discussing aspects arising such as aesthetics
tutorial 6 Jonathan – detailed discussion on practical aspects of the project proposal – mainly logistics, acoustic relationships, enshrinement and the nature of icons
Interim Shows
A series of works entitled Mythopoeia, principally videos, forming a series of ideas incorporating myth, philosophy, science that feed into the project proposal.
Mythopoeia I: post-truth-hurtling – in Virtual Particles, December 2018
Mythopoeia II: Worship although not shown in an exhibition, this was made as part of the Mythopoeia Series.
Mythopoeia III: Do Shadows Dance When There is No Light? Show for Impromptu pop-up show in March 2019
Emperor for Impromptu pop-up show at 2 Girls Gallery
small scale installation Even Before Birth is the Future Forgotten for Summer interim show including the video Mythopoeia IV: Ancestor