Mx.D.P

When I came to write this post, I was looking at my notes from the last two weeks of workshops and our first course meet up. After my sketchbook work today, it was no longer possible for me to separate them into tidy chunks of information. They had already started to coalesce into their own dialogue.

 

When we talk with other artists, it allows us to challenge our own thoughts and perceptions and view our own art practice with fresh eyes. Through this exchange of ideas, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of problems, share different perspectives, and ultimately develop innovative solutions, broadening our horizons and fostering personal growth.

 

We become open to the new to expand our artistic language. If we can converse with individuals from diverse backgrounds, we may develop a more nuanced understanding of complex issues. Without the breakout room this week, I might never have seen the link between painting and filmmaking within my practice. A simple statement from my fellow course member Karl about how I might ‘return’ to painting and push aside filmmaking made me realise that I never left!

 

It made me think about the concepts within dialogue:

 

Exchanging ideas:

This provides the platform. When we discuss each other’s work, fellow artists, scientists, activists and collectors gain valuable insights into different techniques, materials, and concepts but also the works’ perception. This exchange leads to the inception of new knowledge for all participants.

 

Sharing different perspectives through listening:

If we can actively listen to others, we gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and viewpoints. If I discuss with students and tutors from computing and VR backgrounds about their research, it will be vastly different from my own. We can all gain fresh insights and alternative approaches to solving complex problems. This cross-pollination is essential if the new knowledge we create can have purpose resonance and lead to breakthrough discoveries.

 

Gaining a comprehensive understanding:

Exposure to a different viewpoint challenges our own biases and helps us develop a more well-rounded perspective. For instance, I can now see as an activist; I must engage in dialogue with policymakers to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding social change. This will enable me to be a more effective advocate for policy change.

 

What started within a breakout room and a selection of supporting workshops has emerged as a transformative process that challenges my thoughts and perceptions. By exchanging ideas, sharing different perspectives, and gaining a comprehensive understanding of problems, we can develop innovative solutions. Whether it is my fellow artists and I discussing our work or collaborating across disciplines, dialogue plays a crucial role in shaping our neural connections and fostering personal growth. It allows us to break free from our own echo chamber and embark on a journey to develop new, meaningful knowledge.