I really appreciated talking with Rebecca, especially as someone who writes about art. (Most frequently I've written for The Campus Times, though I haven't had the opportunity as much this year.) Some of the things she said really resonated with me, like when she said that she writes for people who may not feel like they have the knowledge to talk about art, but can still address it based on their life experiences. That's more or less what I keep in mind when I write about art, so I felt vindicated by that statement. I've never thought about something else she said, though, that she wouldn't write criticism if the art weren't worth it. Looking back, I definitely think that is true in my writing as well, but it's something I've never consciously realized and will try to keep in mind as I continue writing. I understand her struggle in making her articles not seem like they're on a pedestal, that they're there to start a conversation. I've had less experience there, however, since my audience tends to be smaller.
Rebecca also said, "Advocate for yourself" and that really couldn't have been better timed since I'd just learned the importance of that for myself. For my Digital Media Studies (DMS) capstone project, I'm working with the Memorial Art Gallery, but it took some effort to make that happen. I was initially denied, which sucked, but I went back and asked again, clarifying some points that I'd left open-ended. I was able to get an interview, and the interviewer said to me that she gave me a second chance because I had asked a second time. And I almost hadn't, y'know?
And, last note, to bring it full circle, the purpose of my capstone project (which I may or may talk about here more) is to give those people who feel like they can't talk about art a voice. Yes, in an indirect, popular way, but nonetheless that's one of the main goals for my project. We'll see how that goes as the year continues!
Current music: DeJ Loaf and Joanna Newsom
No comments:
Post a Comment