Pirrie & Brown presentation

Here are some of my initial thoughts on the Pirrie and Brown (2011) presentation followed by my summary of how it relates to research practices for the Artist Teacher:

This presentation and powerpoint linked in very well with Ingold’s work from focus 1 with a key theme being that “Wherever you are there is always somewhere further you can go.” (Ingold, 2007, p. 91). Pirrie and Brown suggested that, in order to be forward thinking, creativity should be a form of improvisation - not always knowing the end point (in terms of timing and content), and not as a direct ‘line’ from intention to output - more of what Ingold describes as a wayfaring line or journey of discovery instead of a connecting line or direct journey between two known points. I feel this must be the underpinning basis to my own arts based research in order for it to be successful and worthwhile and to have an actual impact on my person rather than just be a goal I have achieved.

I thought some of the ideas behind the Polyark project interesting - for example the focus on the exchanging of info and ideas that were freed from the boundaries of location and institution and the liberation of students from their institutions and locations in order to challenge ideas and preconceptions. From personal experience I know the incredible value of getting out and about and visiting different galleries, artists, art spaces and exhibitions of all types of art. I always come back enthused, with new ideas and changed views regardless of personal preferences. In arts based research I think it is vital to, as the Polyark students did, get out of our boxes and engage with art of all genres and types. These engagements can be valuable research tools and formative in directing the path of the wayfaring journey. I have found they are significant in what was described as the ‘generative’ dimension of creativity in that they open up new ideas and lines of enquiry.

The last point from the presentation that I thought was significant was the notion of risk taking and how important this is in true creativity. In our own research I feel it is important for us to push outwith our boundaries and take intellectual risks in order to make connections and move forward in our knowledge and understanding by building on both failure and success.

Ingold, T., 2007. Lines, A Brief History. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge

Pirrie and Brown, 2011. Visual presentation [online on VLE] Available at <http://blackboard.uws.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_1_1].

Additional PolyArk information accessed online at:

http://www.architizer.com/en_us/projects/view/polyark-ii-glasgow/1703/