I’ve messed up my PPP first draft on the OCA VLE, so I’ll try to put something together here.
This will set the starting point. It is to be a ‘living’ document, which should be changed as the module goes on.
TESTING YOUR BOUNDARIES
I wrote this before the second module began, but I forgot to transcribe it from my notebook!
WORKSHEET ON INITIAL THINKING
- WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF MY PRACTICE?
My main theme is the observation of ordinary objects and/or everyday routines and their changing relationship with time and possibly entropy (if I have time!). These observations take the form of digital scans, composite photography and hybrid and mixed media collages and also in the written word (journals, stories and poetry.
Other themes, concerning dogs on the beach, are also ongoing. but taking a lesser role at the moment.
- WHERE ARE THE CREATIVE RISKS TAKEN IN MY PRACTICE?
I am quite happy in making conventional digital composite work, although there are still areas to investigate.
I am very inexperienced in using paint, but have been using acrylic paint with gel plates recently. I’m hoping to combine the digital and analogue techniques and explore the strengths, weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages of the combination.
Writing. I wrote a little story on the train I regularly make, and the memories and everyday experiences involved, and how they recall Perec’s work.
I’m also going to try some more poetry.
- WHAT ARE THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ECOLOGICAL, TECHNICAL (OR OTHER) CONCERNS IN MY PRACTICE?
During the research, creation or exhibition of my work no particular areas of concern are anticipated.
(More thought is needed).
- WHAT ARE MY RESEARCH METHODS?
Digital – scanning or photographing more artifacts; editing and making more composites.
Bringing concrete poetry into my work.
Analogue – embellishing the digital composites, by mark making; by using gel plates with acrylic paint; collages of digital and analogue media.
- WHERE MIGHT MY RESEARCH GO NEXT?
I have been concentrating on a specific time period (mid-70s) and the artifacts I still possess from that time. I still have plenty to do in this theme. I could do a similar study for the 1980s which I spent in Berlin, as I have many artifacts from that time, and a friend whom I visit every year still lives in the same apartment as then, the apartment is almost the same as the mid-80s and he retains the same attitudes as then.
OR
My father died 10 years ago. I have several of his diaries, which he started keeping about 20 years ago, when he started keeping a diary as he was losing his memory although it tuned out to be a gradual decline. Also I have a scrapbook he started when he was an apprentice for IBM in London at the end of the thirties, which began with the abdication of Edward VIII and went on to the late 50s.
OR
I might just get enough time and inspiration to tackle entropy, quantum mechanics and time!
