This weekend was a weekend intensive called "Concentric Conversations," which was part of the Pedagogy Practicum course at Otis. With only 2 more months left, which includes a thesis paper and gallery exhibition to produce, I really wish this course would have came sooner, like last semester maybe so I could absorb a little more. Alas, there is never enough time, so I am at least glad to have had the experience.
In any case, it was a lovely series of conversations with people who care deeply about various forms (institutional, art-based, community-based, individual, informal) of education. After reading a few texts my authors like Chris Robinson, Paulo Freire and Mercado, the connection between pedagogy and public practice was very clean: its about creating change by starting with personal agency. The conference also offered 2 sessions of case studies where artists and collectives (Public School, Ava Bromberg, Ultra-Red, Ashley Hunt, Slaguage) discussed their practice in relationship to pedagogy.
The personal connections that I made with my practice and pedagogy was through Freire's concepts of the "unfinished being" and "self-realization through education." These concepts reminded me why I had studied art therapy, why I had worked as an educator and what I was trying to achieve through participatory projects: individual experiences that can lead to a sense of agency and perhaps even lead to collective change.
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Update - Thesis & Work
It's been a long time since I have updated here, but it needed to be done. I am now in my last semester at Otis and working on my thesis project entitled, "Pulse & Parcel."
This is Side Street Projects, the place that I have been working as the Community Programs Manager and Alternative Routes Teacher. I am also been allowed to execute my community component and sculptural land component at the sight.
Here is a detail of the flagging tape that I am using to demarcate an individual plot.
This is a photo of a test plot. I am trying out the materials to see how they hold up to weather.
More updates to come!
This is Side Street Projects, the place that I have been working as the Community Programs Manager and Alternative Routes Teacher. I am also been allowed to execute my community component and sculptural land component at the sight.
Here is a detail of the flagging tape that I am using to demarcate an individual plot.
This is a photo of a test plot. I am trying out the materials to see how they hold up to weather.
More updates to come!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Transitions.
One year ago I began 2 different blogs in another city. I had just recently moved to the Boston area from Miami, and was starting my graduate degree in Art Therapy at Lesley University. Fast forward one year later, to now, and I'm living in Los Angeles starting a new masters program in Public Art making, an MFA.
It's been a turbulent year for sure, questioning everything, feeling confused and stupid for having made mistakes. To look back now though, I am proud I made those difficult decisions, and had the courage to follow my dreams.
My motivations for going into Art Therapy was 2 fold: to become a professional, and to still be able to use art. The argument made sense to me, and I had to try it, but yet it didn't work. During the spring semester that I took off from school and worked, I considered all fields: librarian, politician, arts advocate, medical illustrator, doctor, engineer, and I'm sure there were more. I followed my partner's lead who at the time was also looking for his dream career, and decided I couldn't be a therapist.
The problem with the field for me was the idea of being a therapist. As much as I researched before, nothing prepared me for the experience, and the the outlook of doing that work for the next 20 + years. It wasn't challenging in the ways that felt fulling to me.
So thus, I went back to what I considered my idea of my "dream" job, inspired by an artist lecture (Alfredo Jaar) I attended at FIU during my undergrad studies. Jaar inspired me in the way he worked. It would only take 4 years or so for me to recognize this as a possible option for my career. Thanks to the encouragement and support of my amazing partner, I cautiously decided to give it a shot. I mean, after all, what's the worst that could happen. I decide I don't want to do this. Well, at least I know what that feels like.
I still have urges to explore other careers like a scientist, economist or urban planner, but at least I can do that as an artist. And if I get out of this program, and decide to still do those things, I can. At least I will have pursued my current dreams to the fullest.
It's been a turbulent year for sure, questioning everything, feeling confused and stupid for having made mistakes. To look back now though, I am proud I made those difficult decisions, and had the courage to follow my dreams.
My motivations for going into Art Therapy was 2 fold: to become a professional, and to still be able to use art. The argument made sense to me, and I had to try it, but yet it didn't work. During the spring semester that I took off from school and worked, I considered all fields: librarian, politician, arts advocate, medical illustrator, doctor, engineer, and I'm sure there were more. I followed my partner's lead who at the time was also looking for his dream career, and decided I couldn't be a therapist.
The problem with the field for me was the idea of being a therapist. As much as I researched before, nothing prepared me for the experience, and the the outlook of doing that work for the next 20 + years. It wasn't challenging in the ways that felt fulling to me.
So thus, I went back to what I considered my idea of my "dream" job, inspired by an artist lecture (Alfredo Jaar) I attended at FIU during my undergrad studies. Jaar inspired me in the way he worked. It would only take 4 years or so for me to recognize this as a possible option for my career. Thanks to the encouragement and support of my amazing partner, I cautiously decided to give it a shot. I mean, after all, what's the worst that could happen. I decide I don't want to do this. Well, at least I know what that feels like.
I still have urges to explore other careers like a scientist, economist or urban planner, but at least I can do that as an artist. And if I get out of this program, and decide to still do those things, I can. At least I will have pursued my current dreams to the fullest.
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