Why Is There A Website For This Project?

I wanted to create a website was because I felt like it could be a resource of some institutional memory, and because I felt that this project has a definite result, but along with it comes so much reflection and so much thinking that I not only wanted the result to be on display but the process as well. The Art of Critical Making is a series of interviews by Eva Sutton, addressing the process of art critique and review of others’ work. Daniel Hewett shares, “What I’m interested in is the work as a vehicle for understanding their [students’] potential to learn. It’s not as much about making “good” work as it is about making work that creates opportunities for the little bit you’re capable of learning on the project and just leaving out the rest…I’m looking for the thing they’re not saying or seeing that may be limiting their understanding.” The product will be what it is, because effort is put in, but what is it that happens between the idea and execution? What is being illuminated in the making of something? In building this show, I am meeting new people and having new conversations, but it doesn't stop there. I think it could be a tool for folks to understand my thinking, and have access to what the event doesn’t say.

As far as institutional memory, if this were to be redone, the person who would pick it up could have access to the concepts and resources I used, and not have to start from scratch. I think it can be intimidating, especially in this nine month master’s program to want to squeeze everything in: read everything and start new things. Ion my experience, I wanted things to have foundation for me to build off of. When that wasn’t the case, I had to start from scratch or ask a lot of questions when time could have been spent doing other things. I am hoping this website can be offered as a tool for someone, and they won’t have to spend time asking as many questions, and can use their time actually doing, coordinating and understanding.

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Maeda, J., Hermano, M. A., & Somerson, R. (2013). The Art of Critical Making: Rhode Island School of Design on Creative Practice. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.