preparing for next Walking the Land meeting with River project group. Responding to invitation from BBC to contribute to ‘Countryfile’ 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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Dad
Its interesting that my visits to see Dad in Cheshire rarely get a mention – yes, I’m not producing work for my thesis based on these very personal events, yet they couldn’t be more pertinent to my line drawings, themselves a metaphor for time passing, my own home made electrocardiogram/”envirocardiogram”. Which makes me think about my drawings as a kind of carbon footprint readout… Maybe this is because Dad worked as an electronic design engineer…
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Watery Landscapes Article
Writing article with Dr. Iain Robertson and Kel Portman about our first Friday walk to Purton. Interesting discussion about content and format of article in terms of intertwining multiple voices, including images.
Agreed to ask the publishers if the page layout could be three columns – observation, facilitation and participation – with common timings or distances running left to right.
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The Weave
Meeting with Max Comfort to discuss next steps about community engagement and collaboration with the Town Council on their Neighbourhood Development Plan.
Made a drawing together to help think through various ideas.
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Folly Wood
Tree Planting event went well – some sound recording – interesting realisation about how I was directing/discussing/advising people about where to clear and plant, thereby changing the landscape, creating new spaces etc. Where does this aspect of my practice fit in with a relational aesthetic, making art? Also very aware of ethical issues arising out of this and need to research this more.
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Folly Wood, Possible Swansea Conference
Morning in Folly Wood with tree felling members of the group and preparing ground for tree planting on Sunday. Some sound recording for possible use in animation.
Discussions with Amanda Roberts about her ideas for Swansea Conference in September
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Folly Wood, Walking to Derby ideas development, Weave,
Developed ideas and outline itinerary for Gainsborough Walk. I’m taken by the notion that we will in effect be walking between the Rivers Severn and Trent – the Trent historically being the boundary between northern and southern England. More an more thinking about locating a place as a part of its sense of place.
Picked-up on a piece of outstanding work for the Weave – Neighbourhood Development Plan – suggested agenda and meeting with Town Council
Attachments
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Folly Wood, 100 mile pilgrimage
uploading more images for possible use in animation – my original intention had been to respond to the place and being in company. As I upload these images I am reviewing this.
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River, Folly Wood, 100 mile pilgrimage
Writing additional copy for the Watery Landscapes article in response to Iain Robertson’s writing – this is the process that we’ve adopted.
Scanning tree rubbings for animation – as I do this. I’m still imagining/thinking about how the animation will work
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Walking the Land, Norwegian Walk, Folly Wood
Preparing for WtL River meeting.
Early planning for Norwegian Walk with Morten Clemetsen and Jorun Barane
Arranging Trees for Hawkwood