HOW HAS YOUR ORIGINAL POSITION CHANGED AS A RESULT OF YOUR FURTHER WORK?
Whilst my personal belief in my original position has not dramatically changed, through iteration I have allowed the work to carry on in a direction that engages with it only as a part of a set of wider ideas, rather than being dominated by a need to address it.
I felt this was appropriate as the position itself had emerged through a similar practice, occurring somewhat naturally across a number of different projects. I have attempted to maintain a light-footed approach to relating my work to this position, using different subject matter and mediums to varying degrees of success. In the first half of Unit 2 specifically, I feel I have begun to identify a medium through which I can best explore this line of thinking whilst encompassing a number of my other research interests that I have yet to engage with on the course.
The outline of what may be my practice is much clearer than it was nine months ago. I imagine this position will make up only a single component part of my attitude going forward.
WHERE HAVE HOLES OR GAPS APPEARED IN YOUR RESEARCH, AND HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO FILL THEM IN FUTURE WORK?
I have struggled with the depth of the gaps in my knowledge. Namely, for every valuable source I discover, many other, highly relevant sources are linked to it that I do not have time to engage with properly. At many points in the duration of this project I have discovered a new example of work or theory that does what I am trying to do in a way that surpasses my own understandings, be it of the medium I am using or the ideas behind it.
Frankly this can be intimidating or disheartening, but ultimately, it is impossible to know everything. I am looking to change my thinking and embrace the benefits of working within the framework of a larger topic that is being actively explored by others. If I want to make grounded, relatable work and truly embrace my aforementioned position, I must reconsider my relationship with research.
WHAT EXISTING NETWORKS OF KNOWLEDGE DO YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THAT COULD REINFORCE YOUR PRACTICE?
I am a firm believer in the value of human experiences and narratives as tools for making complicated subject matter more relatable and accessible. I have hoped for some time to integrate my experiences as a journalist and interviewer into my design practice and try to bring these elements into my work.
HOW DO YOU WANT TO USE THE SUMMER BREAK TO KEEP MOMENTUM GOING IN YOUR PROJECT?
I feel with more time this term I could have continued to develop my virtual space to a much greater extent. That I have produced any kind of virtual experience, having only weeks ago known nothing about how to use the appropriate software, leaves me feeling positive about exploring the medium going forward.
However, I still have much to learn with regards to designing game spaces. I am hoping the summer will provide an opportunity to conduct a number of smaller experiments, free from my critical interests, that will allow me to better grasp the software and prepare me to be able make work that contemplates the medium in a more sophisticated manner.
During the summer I will be looking to re-think my approach to writing. I feel writing in the contexts of art and design has caused my style to become bloated and inaccessible in some attempt to conform to a number of the texts I have been reading, many of which are outdated or archaic. I may look to return to journalism as a way of grounding myself and my work.