Week beginning: 24th January 2023
Module Feedback, Progression And Future Development
This week saw the end of the module ART717: Engagement, Immersion And Practice, so I thought id take the time to reflect on the module as a whole before progressing onto the next. I feel this module has developed my understanding of the broad and creative approaches to Multidisciplinary. Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary practices. The assessments have challenged and demonstrated my practical skill as well as my critical and strategic thinking skills. I found myself critically debating through use of reflective practice within the contemporary visual culture, this has been routinely documented within both my blog and reflective journal. I have also debated through the use of reflective practices within the field of photography and alternative photography techniques.
These techniques took the form of cyanotypes mainly created through experimental trial and error. Experimenting on different surfaces and found materials. I have also demonstrated advancing expertise in one or more specialized interdisciplinary practices within the program, taking the form within the photography and printmaking discipline. A regular documentation of this process was also documented, my gained knowledge through conceptual analysis and my development of theories, methods and practices related to this knowledge is all recorded within my online blog and website. I have also shown and provided evidence of my engagements within the contemporary art and design extended community through primary research activity, visits and experimental learning. Visits to various forestry's and art galleries across the country have informed and helped develop my studies.
Placement
This week I begin my placement at Thetford and Wyre Forest, Thetford being the largest lowland pine forest in Britain, located on the south of Norfolk in England. It covers over 19,000ha (47,000 Acres) in the form of a site of scientific interest. It was created after the First World War to provide a strategic reserve of timber , since the country had lost so many oaks and other slow growing tress as a consequence of the War's demands. During my placement, I will be involved in the documentation of differing species of tree as well as the preservation and farming of seeds and seedlings to help expand and preserve areas of the forest. Collecting data and recording my findings as I progress.
Seed Collection and Tree Species Documentation.
The vast quantities of trees needed for the forest in its infancy required huge amounts of seed, much of it obtained locally. People were sent out into the countryside, gathering cones from existing plantations and pine hedges in order to conserve and preserve the species. As soon as a property was acquired by the commission, planting began with the majority of the forest being planted within the first 20 years. The scots pine was the initial choice as the main forest tree, given the adverse local conditions and the seeds being regularly available. Many other species were later introduced such as, Corsican, Pine, Conifer, Douglas Fir, Larch, Hardwood and trees such as Oak, Beech and Silver Birch.
Adam