Week 32

   

Questions and Observations:

DRUGG Conference at UCL-Diagrams and their uses
 -diagrams and allegory
 -geometric vs pictorial
 - reductive vs additive
 - science vs art
 - can be haptic, material, functional and generative
 - can create a new reality with images, processes and materials to become a force in itself
Commonalities of diagrams:
- pedagogical or instructional
- give form to abstract concepts
- make use of a conventional body of signs
- always point to something else
- connect separate elements to make a whole, to join form and content

Investigate a map as a diagram

Best bets:

John Mallarkey - Thinking in Diagrams

Deleuze- on the diagrams in Bacons work- The Logic of Sensation- suggests something yet to come

Week 31

       

Questions and Observations:
 Cultural signifiers of ageing:
- bad memory and getting worse

- forgetful

- constantly sick or unwell 

- always cold

- set in ways, resist change, inflexible

- constantly watching diet and eating only bland foods 

- frail

- sexless, incapable of sex

- mentally and physically not sharp which is primarily a result of genetics

- weight on society

- grey, disabled, weak, powerless, unhappy, wrinkles,, unable to learn

Facts:

- in N.A 90% of Seniors[ over 60] are in good health

- 1/3 are still working for pay and 1/3 are involved in volunteering

- only approx. 30% of how one ages is dependent on genetic factors; other very important factors are; diet, physical exercise, smoking, weight control , social contact and mental exercise and spiritual involvement

 Best bets:

B.P. Portrait award winner for 2012 titled Auntie by Aleah Chapin - note to myself to see

Week 30

Questions and Observations:

Patterns Patterns Patterns

  Connections Connections Connections

 

 The following are a number of paraphrased points from an the writings of  H. Goldberg, N Doidge and M Merzenick who are all respected neuroresearchers:

- there are several neurological processes that lead to strong pattern development and pattern recognition. One of these involves generic memory. Generic memory is pattern implanting and strengthening and is developed in three ways; neural network building to facilitate neurons firing in unison; neural network strengthening through repetition and neural plasticity and neural efficiency so that less energy is required to maintain the neural network. These functions are primarily neo cortical and are less prone to both age related dementia and brain disease so as the brain ages one can maintain strong mind function in spite of sub-cortical distress. The sub-cortex is the area where dementia and brain disease initially happens. Thus the stronger the pattern development the less likely is the early onset of dementia and some brain disease. The more generic the patterns are the more redundant are their neural representations and the more resistant they are to the effects of brain deterioration and dementia The more frequent the patterns are activated in the course of mental [intellectual] activity the more invulnerable they are to the effects of cognitive degeneration and the stronger the patterns grow with age. In many respects ageing is the price we pay for the strengthening of patterns and the following wisdom.

- it is now known that the brain is a bodily organ that needs exercise to remain healthy and capable of efficient pattern development. There are strong indications that the best mind/brain exercises to maintain health lie in the arts. There is also a realization that a healthy mind / brain is capable of LLL until “ end of life.” 

Best Bets: [for reading]

Damassio, A, Numerous books, articles and papers

Doidge, N, [2008], The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science, Scribe Publications

Eagleman, D, [2010], Incognito: The Hidden Life of the Brain, Pantheon

Goldberg, E [2007], The Wisdom Paradox: How Your Mind Grows Stronger as Your Brain Grows Older, Free press, Simon and Shuster

Goldberg, E [2001], The Executive Brain: Front Lobes and the Civilized Mind, New York, Oxford University Press

Goldberg, E [1998] Neural Networks and Neural Intelligence, Cambridge, MIT Press

Lawrence T E  [1991] Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph, New York, Anchor Books

Merzenick, M, Numerous books, articles, papers and blog

Week 29

Questions and Observations:

- we are all born as copies and we all die as originals !

- through scientific and medical progress there has been success in adding on year but little success in adding life to the added years 

- the primary cause of waging is that damage that occurs in cells through the natural process of energy production. Mitochondria in the cell act as tiny batteries and use oxygen to produce the energy however a side product is produced in the form of free radicals are produced and build up in the cells as ageing occurs. The free radical buidup damages the cell DNA which is copied over and over in cell division and all the DNA becomes further and further corrupted and this in turn affects the bodies ability to repair itself efficiently.

 Memory deteriorates in part for this reason as waste begins to buildup in the brain cells due to the inefficiencies that start to be felt with age.

- genetics only accounts for a quarter of ageing effects. what is very impotent is mental and physical exercise, proper eating and drinking and social networks

Week 28

Questions and Observations:
- in this, my 28th week it has finally occurred to me that this MA Drawing exercise I have embarked on is really an enquiry into my own ageing process [and progress]! I am finally starting to see a glimmer in the distance that I can focus on and work toward and reorient , if not my work [ as on reflection I now see it throughout the work] but my understanding of the research and the studio practice. With these understandings I can now begin to slowly push and pull the two together in a more harmonious and supportive fit and perhaps even narrow the enquiry [but to what end?]
 I do think that this heutagogical [and paragogical] journey is surely an exploration of my humanness but I now realized that it is coming from a very age related perspective of humanness, one which I guess is understandable as I too am ageing. This fact I do tend to ignore as I don't feel the ageing ,especially when I am surrounded by young people who seem to accept me as an equal.
 I think this insight will allow me to more openly explore the "age relationship" to and within the art that I am making; directly in the sculptural area and also within the drawing [ although it has been evident in the drawing already without a conscious effort] and the writing about it, and the researching of it.
 Hopefully this will lead to more "intentionality" being shown through my practice, both research and studio.
 I will however, always be making the patterns and drawing the connections!
 I will be trying to change the nature and content of the images on this system of communication to reflect the above.

 Best Bets;
- Drawing is as fundamental to the energy of what makes us human as singing or dancing- John Elkins
- the insights of the final Topology session at the Tate Modern
- the deeper understanding of Photoshop and how to use it in the context of layering [ as a reflection of the constant layering that goes on within ones life but only becomes really evident in later years [ as an aspect of Wisdom?]
 - research specifically on the meanings  of and defining features of Ageing and Retiring and other symbols and signs associated with older age
- research paragogy
- The Relative Impossibility of Imagining Old Age by Someone Young
- The Impossibility of Imagining  [Remembering] Youth by Someone Old
- the process of Active Waiting
- the brain transitions from hardwired to openness in its development, cortical to neocortical

 Check it out:
- the current GV Arts show
- Anya Hurlbert Director of the Institute of Neuroscience @ U of Newcastle
- Semir Zeki Vislab, UCL nueroaethetics
- Daniel Pink- MFA as the new MBA
- Intelligence written by the inventor of the Palmpilot

 Studio Drawing:
- screens, filters and funnels are all involved in processing and consolidating information

Week 27

Questions and observations:
 - main thrust of all education should be to teach Critical Thinking
 - Drawing is all about Patterns and Connections; Flows and Filter
 - what is Infography??? Visual transfer of information?
 - Can one be a critical thinker of art without being a maker of art?
 - groups should coalesce around a purpose to become a self organizing network of expertise

Best Bets:
 - Roy Ascot drawing - were used as a teaching toll- re: J Beuys, R Steiner
- David Shrigley drawing on Brain activity




Check It Out:
 UCL- dept of neurology work on Gerantology and the ageing brain- Wolfsen ?
 U of Middlsex- Ian Cunningham- has agreed to accredit for Wikiquals
 Rizomatic Community of Scholars- School of Everything- Philosophers in Pubs
 Wikiquals [ Fred Garnett] based on the principal of peer qualification
 Artist- educators that should be considered: Paul Lowe of UAL, Trevor Horsewood
 Books:
 John Dewey: Experience and Education
 Malcolm Knowles : Adult Learner

Week 26

Questions and observations:
 - how can programs developed by Project Zero which mainly deal with art based teaching and learning programs and systems for children and teens be applied to Senior L.L.L. [ look at Arts Propel, Arts Survive, Goodwork, Goodplay, Artful Thinking]?
 Best Bets:
 - read and investigate Erik Eriksons [ 1980's psychologist ] 8 stage Life Cycle delineation which is calibrated to ego development....the 8th stage is that from 55 yrs. to 65 yrs. to end of life, the hallmark of which is to establish integrity and achieve "meaning" for ones life and to connect with surrounding humankind [ this could account for the need for social stimulation and engagement by Seniors]...see Erikson, Erikson and Kivinick 1986
 - Seniors experience brings them capability plus [ according to Erikson] there is a deep need to come to terms with the world in a way that adds integrity to their lives[ i.e. exploring their humanness]which gives great psychological incentive