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
meeting with Alison, Sue, Jacqui, Dianna, Glenn and Gordon.
Discussion on our relationship with the Derby walk and what next. Agreed to collectively write-up our individual thoughts as a ‘learning history’ and present it to the Transition towns as a hand made book.
Dianna described her success at Northleach with the Old Prison/museum. We discussed her facilitative role – building relationships.
Heard fromJian, Chinese artist and friend that he is in England and would like to visit the week after next. Wrote a short note about Vision 21 meeting and Derby Walk – woke-up with a clear idea for how to progress.
Lunch at Avebury
Extremely wet walk around the stones and to Silbury Hill with Helen, Kel, Lucy, Fiona, Claire, Clare, Tara and Bart. Passers by kept asking if we’d seen the latest crop circle which had appeared on the internet.
A bit wet for drawing and even taking photos. Good conversations about history, farming and biodiversity.
more reading and writing. Still clarifying overall shape of the writing. Breaking it down to make more manageable. Putting on paper to help see it all together rather than hidden away linearly in the depths of the computer’s hard drive!
With reading and writing together, I’m still coming across things which effect the overall shape. Re-wrote the structure later today and feel its far more robust – and manageable. Circulated new shape to tutors.
Provided images to Intellect Publications – needed to reformat and re size them all. Planning for Friday’s walk and more writing. Evening meeting at Folly Wood – rather dominated by insurance issues – corporate manslaughter…
there’s going to be a lot of this. Also a bit of thinking about external examiner and proof reading Watery Landscapes. Also read all submissions to Practice Makes Perfect Symposium and emailed SAGE about possible publication from symposium. Bits of organisation about First Friday Walk too.
updating this site and writing programme for Norwegian walk
Attachments
Meeting with Kel Portman to plan the walking workshop in Norway in July.
Discussions with Steve Roberts about ‘I-Spot’ and planning Festival of Nature walk in September.
Circulated information about forthcoming V21 learning group and Derby Project.
writing abstract for Derby book, researching into publications for SMU conference papers.
Workshop by Capel Mill with Woodcraft folk and Lucy Guenot, Helen Keating; finding materials, boat building in small groups, sailing boats, drawing event and hanging work in improvised outdoor gallery.
all day pilot show at Corsham Court – show, readings and discussion.
Interesting discussions about relationship between theory and practice in the context of next group project.
