Tutorial Report with Caroline.

Date:   Monday 20 October 2014                                Name:             Roshni Goonraj Beeharry

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Reflection on outcomes since last tutorial:

Since my last tutorial with Les Bicknell, I have been able to implement one full cycle of making through peer discussion/monitoring and guidance and I am actually at the reflecting stage to further plan the next step.

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Current projected aims and outcomes:

●       Testing my Boundaries.

●       Extend an appropriate area of investigation and establish parameters for my exploratory activity

●       Analyse the conceptual context of my practice to generate creative ideas and practice.

●       Demonstrate personal responsibility and independent thought through an integrated approach to practice and contextual issues.

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Discussion and recommendations:

Our discussion was mostly concerned with the latest development for the Unit Task 1: Testing My Boundaries. I explained to Caroline that I have actually started with my task with everything concerned such as research, sketches,etc. Following Les’s advice concerning audience involvement and choosing a different way of working, I have decided to get absorbed in the place and to work from spontaneous response rather than working alone in my studio at home. I wanted to explore on primary source as far as possible and I had been visiting the place several times already. This way of working was totally new to me. I noted down several discoveries as how to deal with the audience as well as get on with the work done at the same time and take instant decisions on the spot. I was also learning a lot about human relationship and making new friends. I also noticed that during my visits I had to keenly observe and assimilate most of what was present so as to remain truthful and bring out the atmosphere that reflected at the place.

As we both looked at my blog concerning my latest development in my work, I explained to Caroline that during my last visit, I have worked from instant flow and had not planned previously. As it was a Classical Indian Dance Class and the main leading dancer was magnificent in her costume, I started my work directly from her and moved on with what was around before me. I later realised that the main disadvantage of taking such a risk(working from no previously planned material) was that I had to capture in the moment rather quickly and that my model was constantly moving.

However, this was not my most serious concern. It was that at the end of the day as I returned home and reflected on the progress of my work, I was wholly unsatisfied. I realised that what was more important to me was the lively and joyful atmosphere that the place radiated. I wanted this atmosphere and sense of mysticism in my work and my central character seemed sad and lost. After reflection I took an important decision. As I was looking back at my preliminary works, I decided that I could include some part of it in my work, removing the whole of the character completely and radically changing the work. This is what I did during another visit and after this yoga session, I stayed back to have some feedback from my audience and afterwards from my family and friends.

Caroline was most helpful in offering advice. We talked about public engagement and discussed how we could record this activity/event through photography after finishing the painted work. I finally concluded that I was at a stage where I needed further reflection and that in future, I need to be prepared and to have at least some previous rough planning so as to remain focused on what I wanted to achieve.

Signed tutor:      Caroline Wright                                Signed student: Roshni Goonraj Beeharry

Additional tutor thoughts.

I was thinking about your intention to capture the essence of the place and the experience you have when you are there and wondered if you could work with different media – recording the sound of the dancers footsteps for example, or videoing the flowing robes but only showing part of the picture, such as the hem of the fabric.  The music would provide a soundtrack. This is no doubt too late for this task but if you were to continue to work in this location  - or a similar one – it might be a way of gathering visual and audio material.