Thanks ________!

When William Burroughs was teaching creative writing at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, he was asked what method he applied for teaching how to write. "I teach creative reading," he replied. In a similar manner, Relational Aesthetics has changed the way I read-what and how. It's made me read everyone of the thousands of e-flux missives I get a day in search of the names we've covered, find out where and how they're showing - to whom and with what aim. A lot of work we covered would not have had much of my attention before. I've learned to interpret material with a new-found patience and open mind, and consider wider ideas in the same way I do concepts about art.

Thanks Caleb!

In the 70s I loved heavy metal and later punk. In the 80s I loved Eisturzende and SPK and Throbbing Gristle. Thanks to digging into Laibach's history, I ended up very late one Sunday night reliving much of those ten to fifteen years surfing Youtube.

Thanks Laibach!

In 2010, Tending stretched the limits of my understanding. However, basking in Luke's relaxing aura and Diego's (maybe less so), listening to their explanation of what they're doing was a good way to get a real sense of a work in progress. It prompted a blog entry in which I claimed to be a relational artist when all I am is a gardener. Caleb's simple ART MACHINE + GARDENING MACHINE is not the same as COMMUNITY MACHINE + GARDENING MACHINE made the penny drop. Simple as that. Slightly winded, though, I got it. Right at the last minute.

Thanks Lucas and Diego! (yep, and Caleb!)