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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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First Friday Walk
Walk through Lypiatt returning through The Heavens. The desire to incorporate the drawing activity with being in the landscape continued. A continuation of actively finding shadows to be cast on the drawing machine scrolls, drawing books appearing in animations of the ‘in-between places’ walk.
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River Map and Seminar
Well attended seminar. Presentations by Mark Connelly from the Cotswold Conservation Board and myself. ‘Open Space’ workshop confirmed the value of the approach we had taken in engaging people in the Landscape Character Assessment process.
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River Map Exhibition and Seminar
Section of long River map, a collaboration between Kel Portman, myself and participants at workshops.
Miniature Museum of Memories, made by Tara Downs and Bart Sabel with collections from participants.
Recycled Sketch books made by Lucy Guenot and drawn in by participating artists
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River Map Exhibition and Seminar
Exhibition of work from First Friday River Walks.This was the first attempt to show the multi-faceted process:- Collaboration, encounter, exchange and assemblage. There was also an emphasis on moving to action.
Seminar to discuss findings with funders, participants and other interested artists and academics.
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First Friday Walk and setting-up exhibition
Ist Friday walk along the Nailsworth Brook. Making work and setting-up River Map exhibition.
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River, Space Place and Practice, Tutorial, Folly Wood, First Friday Walk
14th October to 1st November
the main activities over this period are writing-up and preparing for the November River Map exhibition and related events.
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writing-up, First Friday Walk, Good from Woods, Watery Landscapes, Conservation Grazing
3rd to 13th
still working on Chapter 2 – sorting references has, as everyone told me it would, taken ages!
Mainly talking to people about various aspects of Folly Wood and Watery Landscapes research.
First Friday Walk in the Newmarket Valley
Absolutely fantastic conservation grazing meeting at the Brewery with thanks to Jade Bashford and Mark Connelly.
