Altered Perception

Social Relations and Critical Spaces 2010 has definitively altered and defined my perception not only on art but also activated an ongoing procedure of self-reflexivity (or a critical sense) of the how the apparatus or moreso the process of art can become highly complex and its strategies challenging. Also that art is fluid and can be transferred or shift or combine into distinct strands from an object to post-object type work and how other institutional mechanisms of power operate and tie-in/correspond/intersect with art – outside itself and within – ie politics, culture, socio-history, community/collaborative practices, etc. Trying to see how all these various and distinct 'machines' work and how their dynamic resonate/relate. The course overall provided an array of quality concepts/material readings/links to quickly get through which tested my own ability to take as much on board as possible through as much of the readings/texts as I could acquire and in combination with the weekly blog as a continuing format not only was it challenging but it became rewarding as it developed my technique to fine tune, critique and engage (with others in an ongoing physical dialogue) with these new strands of knowledge. Overall I find it all beneficial in my progression to look at all these various strategies yet remain eclectic and true to my own directives, a key way to keep developing my research/art practice per se. So reluctantly I walk away from this THAP course that has altered me on many different levels and hopefully in many positive/beneficial ways.