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
listened to all 65 sound files of conversations and began transcribing. Long way to go.
Spoke to Max Comfort about the Academy of Urbanism report and next steps and our aspirations now that the Town Council were going for a Town Design Statement instead of a Neighbourhood Development Plan.
Begun writing regards Derby book chapter – In-Between Places.
Circulated framework for Gainsborough writings.
Spoke to Abigail Large at Museum in the Park about possibility of show regards ‘River’ proiect and final show.
Attachments
exchange of images with Morten and Jian.
Negotiation with Dr. Jan Parker about publication.
Drafted programme for tutorial in Stroud
Suze Adams dropped off my and Sue Porter’s Museum Boxes – short discussion about ‘Home’, ‘Place’ and nomadcy.
Worked on Folly Wood animation
Meeting with Professor Howard Riley and Amanda Roberts to discuss publishing papers for the ‘Arts and Humanities in Higher education’ journal and the symposium more generally.
Train journey under the River Severn.
Met David Bullock on train and talked about Transhumance in various European locations.
writing meeting with Alison Parfitt, Sue Porter and Jaqui Taylor to develop writing for book/map/website as follow-up to the Derby Walk. Agreed that we would initially write-up a number of conversations, as a way of describing our walk, relationships performed along the way and with transition.
Walk led by Tara Downs around Elmore. Saw large, semi mature elm tree. Visited the Elmore estate and saw Tara and Bart’s rammed earth wall.
End of week really (nicely) dominated by the forthcoming birth – DIY in Bath Road etc.
preparation for V21 meeting about Gainsborough walk – writing and reading other people’s writings.
Re-organised weekly work programme under activities rather than projects.
General catch-up with a number of projects.
Updating this blog, including making a bit of work based on drawings/photographs from Norway..
with Norwegian summer, mountain pastures in our heads we are transported into a very different place. Too much to say about this here.
Traveling and visiting art gallery in Bergen, checking out painters mentioned by Jorun and Morten.
