Unit 1 | Assessment 

LO1. Formulate, describe and implement a challenging and self-directed programme of study, relating to your Study Statement. (AC Enquiry)

My aim is to expand the definition of public art by implemending my studio practice with a research-based methodology. This multidisciplinary research is focused on the role of art in the space that exists at the intersection of urban development and nature.

I much value the experience of elaborating my Study Statement because it is enabling me to define my research, my studio practice and the direction for my future social engagement campaigns.

Link Study Statement

Since I started to research "art and environmentalism", I have focused on the complex and generally antagonistic relationship between Bio-regions (complex sets of social and ecological connections that original cultures have to natural resources) and Techno-regions (which typically ignore concrete cultural ties to nature in order to re-specify social space techno-economically according to the demands of global capitalist exchange). In the last two centuries, Techno-regions have spread from Western countries internationally. 

Link to a resume on Bio-Techno-regions

For example São Paulo was built in the XVI century in the middle of a forest which was previously territory of the Guarani people. Today, it is considered an "alpha global city", a primary Techno-region node in the global economic network.

Despite being fragmented by national borders and being deprived of most of their land, indigenous communities are still a very relevant voice in the debate on both Climate Change and the Biodiversity Crisis. I am particularly focused on Jaider Esbell; his art production and also his political activity in the context of artivism.

My entire research for this MA will be dedicated to him.

Link to a resume on Ongoing Research on Jaider Esbell

Studying the theory while working with a studio practice that reflected the research allowed me to deepen my understanding of unfamiliar topics. For example, I am exploring the biodiversity crisis from a socio-biological perspective. This is informed by sociology, economy, anthropology, history, geography and natural sciences.

Link to a resume on Decline of bee colonies & biodiversity crisis

LO2. Implement appropriate working methods for building an independent and effective self-organisation that enables the critical engagement with practice-based research. (AC Process)

During Term 1 I have learnt how to document and share information and ongoing ideas through the blog journal. At the beginning, exposing my preliminary ideas was challenging but then I slowly found it an empowering process. 

Link to Post n 12

The first group sesssion in which was addressed compassion was very important [SL18]. It allowed me to be compassionate with myself while experimenting, failing and learning from the mistakes I made. 

Link to Post n 6 and Post n 7

Curating my Blog Journal (see Archive here) and documenting my developing research practice have helped me improve my research-based practice. In fact I have been able to focus my investigation on several topics, all related to each other, as you can see in Topics (top right) and in the section 3 Context on pages 2-3 of my Study Statement.

My studio practice has been focused on natural resources and how to produce natural pigments on my own, using mainly organic elements that I have found whilst exploring a local forest. My objective is to produce a series of drypoint and mixed media using these pigments (see on posts n 10 10 bis 18 and 31).

Furthermore, I have also experimented with Action Learning, which is a process that allowed the participants and I to learn from experience through reflection and action.

Link to Action Learning 1 

Link to Action Learning 2 (project deleted)

LO3. Communicate a critical understanding of your developing practice. (AC Knowledge, AC Communication)

In parallel with my research I am also keeping in touch with artists, makers and other researchers who have experience with the topics that I am addressing - see the section on Esbell in the second tutorial session with Jonathan Kearney. I am participating in educationals groups on Zoom (such as Afield) and I also found 1 to 1 mentoring sessions very useful during the first Term.

Link to Post n 7

I am also watching interviews (i.e. Louisiana Channel, Tate Films & Videos, TED) and studing catalogues (both online and second hand) of past and current exhibitions involving nature, biology and environmentalism. 

Link to Post n 33

I really enjoy my individual research and then coming together in group sessions when we often find connection between our work. 

Link to Post n 14 and Post n 28

I have been particularly empowered by the two tutorial sessions with Jonathan Kearney.

On both occasions, I have been supported to go through my fellings of being overwhealmed and overstimulated to be able to see the opportunity for learning. 

So this process has been crucial to build a strong critical understanding of my own practice.

See a resume of Tutorial 1

See a resume of Tutorial 2

Blog Journal Archive

https://wednesdaysat7.tumblr.com/archive

Topics

Art & Environmentalism (posts n 13; 14;15; 16; 17; 24; 25; 26; 27) 

Decolonization (posts n 15; 16; 19; 25; 26; 27; 33) 

Jaider Esbell (posts n 11; 13; 14; 15; 19; 21; 27; 30)

Biodiversity Crisis / Decline of Pollinators (posts n 27; 27; 28; 31; 32; 34 + BS ; PFD; BE).