Written Thesis Element Options

Semester one of the new academic session of my final year at Gray's School of Art has now finally arrived! On Friday I will be catching up with my classmates at our first tutorial with our new Course Leader Dr Jon Pengelly and in the afternoon I will be meeting my specialist tutor David Blyth to discuss the year ahead.

Not that I have been inactive.  On my Fridays set aside for my studies I have been both reading and making. The task that has been engaging me being the decision of which thesis element option to choose. The choices being:

• Dissertation (8-10,000 words) - Based on a critical question, which is explored through theoretical ideas, critical writing, reflection and possible recommendations.
• Critical Evaluation and Reflection (6,000 words) - Reflection and critical evaluation of contextual or studio-focused practice. 
• Project/Exhibition/Product Publication (6,000) - Production of a publication which discusses and contextualises the Masters Project 

The choice has not been hard and I have elected to do the dissertation.  The decision being based on my realisation that I have gained much this year from the reading of critical thinkers both within and outwith my field of study.

There are a few avenues that I could explore and at the moment I do not have a definite question I wish to engage with.  In the meantime I have decided to begin by reading books that interest me, transcribing quotes that inspire me and seeing where these take me. Just now I am working my way through:

• The Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd
• How to Connect with Nature by Tristan Gooley
• Camera Lucida by Roland Barthes

What I do know though is that my studies have been the beginning of an amazing journey of self discovery.  I have fallen in love with making again and have created work-spaces and time to ensure that my practice continues after I have graduated. The coast, hills and isolation influence heavily my making. As does my constant need to collect the flotsam and jetsam that washes daily upon our shores.

It seemed fitting therefore that I should use a suitcase for my dissertation to present and represent my journey. Last week I purchased from eBay an old suitcase for this task. Taking the concept further I have converted it into a pinhole camera to record the journeys I wish to critically discuss.

Before construction I consulted my pinhole friend Donald Tainsh who advised me and introduced me to some helpful websites. His parting advice though made sure that I didn't get too hung up on the arithmetic.......

"Don't get too bound up in the calculations. Remember that to make a pinhole exposure is to open a door on serendipity - every exposure is an experimental exercise in imprecision!"

Such wise and kind friends I have!

​Through play great knowledge can be found!