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
Tutorial in Swansea with Robert Newell, Andrea Liggins and Catrin Webster.
Discussed thesis texts in terms of:
* time management issues in terms of the integrity of a relational practice and in particular in a resilient community context, i.e. ongoing.
* metaphore in both the writing and practice
* timetable for submission, viva and show
* clarifying central question (which I thought I’d arrived at), finding a way to clarify and write about this
* animated sticks
showing Alison how to use ‘Audacity’ and sorting out sound files for web site.
Conversations about Sustainable Development Fund possibilities.
writing chapter one, arranging speakers for April conference, negotiating with County Council about new woodland acquisition.
meeting with Sue Reed at Ruskin Mill to discuss our PhDs. Helpful to discuss differences and similarities. Both have a walking and community element. I was aware of Sue’s being very much about making as embedded knowledge, made me feel that my work is becoming conceptual/abstract by comparison and reminded me of the need to get back to making rather than holding the idea of making in my mind.
