Visit to Swansea to finalise symposium programme.
PhD Archive
Welcome to the Phd Blog
Keeping the blog was an important thread in weaving the research, the drawing practice and community facilitation. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy was awarded by the University of Wales Trinity St. David in 2018.
Abstract
The research considers why aesthetics, the subjective ways in which we
experience and value places, and nature’s agency are not readily included in
decision-making processes. This action research adopts a hopeful, participatory
and auto-ethnographic inquiry into the potential for developing and applying a
relational and environmental walking-art practice to overcome this disconnect; an
approach which attempts to reconnect art and life, cultural and natural systems.
Metaphor is used as a method to reflect upon an emergent art practice. The
research considers Felix Guattari’s ideas of transversality, developing an ethicoaesthetic paradigm as a critical framework, taking into account the work of relevant
practitioners and specifically Grant Kester’s arguments concerning reciprocal
creative labour. The framework is developed through a weaving metaphor and
applied to three community-led land-use change case studies; a canal restoration
project, caring for a community woodland and Landscape Character Assessment.
The weaving metaphor becomes both a process and an art work capable of
revealing and helping to incorporate subjectivity into traditionally objective
decision-making processes. As well as facilitating community-wide dialogue, the
research has, in some cases, lead to action being taken alongside nature’s
agency.
The research evaluates the transformation of the art practice and its impact, which
suggests the positive agency of art as a practical aesthetic in a social and
environmental context.
The thesis can be read here:
https://repository.uwtsd.ac.uk/id/eprint/1311/13/Keating%20R%20Landscape%20final.pdf#:~:text=As%20a%20part%20of%20post,with%20people%20in%20the%20Stroud
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Walking the Land, Folly Wood
Meeting with Kel Portman to discuss making work from Norwegian walk, watery Landscapes article and First Friday Walk.
Folly Wood core group meeting: pouring rain and so we ‘walked the agenda’ – very effective, experiential.
Attachments
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Folly Wood, Derby Walk, Stroud Nature, Practice Makes Perfect, Watery Landscapes article, Critical Methodologies on collaborative writing as method of inquiry article
23rd, 24th, 25th, 27th, 28th:
arranging dates for Autumn Folly Wood gatherings and tree planting.Continuing to transcribe sound files from Derby Walk
Handing out Five Valleys Festival brochures at Farmers Market (includes Festival of Nature)
Reading ‘The Routledge Companion to Research in the Arts’ Edited by Michael Biggs and Henrik Karlsson, Routledge, 2011, Abingdon and New York in preparation for ‘Practice Makes Perfect’ Symposium.
Further suggestions for Watery Landscapes article.
Initial discussion with Sue Porter and reading regards an article looking at Critical Methodologies on collaborative writing as method of inquiry
With Lu Jian, reading ‘One Place After Another’ by Miwon Kwon and discussing it by email.
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Festival of Nature
meeting with Steve Roberts to finalise festival. Discussed the possibility of increasing other people’s involvement with the event – list of tasks etc. Discussed the possibility of linking to an conference type event.
Suggested and took measurements for making drawings to hang in the bandstand based on Steve’s wildlife illustrations.
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Patrick Keiller exhibition
Visit great show with Helen, Glenn, Sue and Alison in context of Derby Walk. Much discussion about serendipity, nomadcy, biophilia, peak oil and economic crash. MAny comparisons with our groups recent visit to the Grayson Perry show. More political, less joyous, more insightful, less show. Initially daunting to be faced with so much information and intellectual scatter; after first viewing it appeared differently – very welcoming and tempting.
Also saw “Another London” photographic show – was this really our lives? How old fashioned we all looked, not as I remember it at all. Yes, the visual details and imagery were as I remember but it was modern at the time!
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computer, Derby walk
having to set-up new computer as internet access has failed on old one. Steep learning curve from PC to Mac.
More transcribing Derby walk sound files.
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Practice makes Perfect Symposium, Derby Walk,
15th to 18th: Reading Routledge Companion to Research in the Arts in preparation for symposium.
Transcribing sound files from Derby walk along with Alison.
Positive responses from Rob Newell and Catrin Webster on my outline thesis chapter.
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Tutorial
Tutorial in Stroud with Catrin Webster and Andrea Liggins.
Looking at Museum in the Park as a possible venue for exhibition in support of viva. Walk a log the canal through Willow Farm and a visit to Folly Wood as a potential site visit for examiners.
Discussions about examiners and areas of expertise/enthusiasms.
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Michael born
just before mid-day on his due date, Michael cried lustily according to the mid-wife in Gloucester maternity unit. Lots to say but not here. All well.
