The session on Friday may have seemed similar to other Skype conversations that have so far taken place this year...that is in structure over content. However, with just three students and Adesola, I found it a very different experience to the previous calls. I was running slightly late and joined in my usual flustered and anxious state, then automatically realised that less participants meant more participation on each of our parts would be needed throughout the call. Usually this would have filled me with such dread that I would have automatically begun to dig an escape route 'just in case'. Having not had the time to properly settle for the session beforehand, I found that these thoughts didn't even enter my mind and I had to literally just throw myself in at the deep end.
It was brilliant.
This level of interactivity was made so natural and comfortable by those on the call and I found it surprisingly easily to join in. Even more unusually, I wanted to! My mind was instantly engaged in the topics we were discussing and I learnt so much more in depth information about others on the course (in terms of their work and professional enquiries) as well as the various perspectives of 'mapping' as a process. The atmosphere was open and it was easy to ask questions and begin to 'dig deeper' into the topics we were discussing. Despite not being on Module Two at present, the content was relevant and useful across the modules and beyond the contexts this course.
I could have continued this call all night and can only thank the others for making it such an enjoyable and valuable experience. I wanted to mention all of the above as I am sure there are other who will experience similar feelings of anxiety about participating in Skype calls, especially if its not a method of communication they are used to using. Hopefully a little comfort and courage can be gained through sharing my experience with you.
Following the session I sat to blog about the notion of 'mapping'. I found that noting my response formed a strange sort of prose and didn't at all produce anything like I had intended. I wanted to share my notes from the session and review the content in the 'usual' blog style but instead the below text emerged. I wan't going to share it initially but feel like it's much more of an accurate reflection of the term 'mapping' that I discovered during the hour than I could ever reproduce in any other textual/visual format for the blog. It might not make much sense but maybe thats ok...so....here goes...
A map can only ever be a guide
It cannot dictate
It is a tool but not a solution
Perhaps useful
Maybe a distraction
Is this a good thing?
For what is not on the map is still to be encountered
Blanket and dummy replaced by map and compass
These are what some explorers needs to keep moving
Time off grid is daunting
What is they get lost?
Excitement and adrenaline may creep in
Possibilities arise there is potential
An alternative reality
Different perspectives skew the truth of the map
A natural occurrence
A human influence
A detour
Alternatives
Creativity
Not solutions
Observations
To keep exploring
To continue encountering
They must prevail.
...phewwwww.
On a much lighter note, I was discussing maps with my Mum over the weekend. Currently in her work with young children they are going through a 'pirate' phase. According to one of their stories (I'll let you decide if this is an appropriately reliable source!!!!) the pirates did not really have peg legs or hooked hands. They did not use maps. Interestingly, they did have telescopes though, which they used to stargaze. It was the sky and the constellations that replaced their maps...that lead to the treasure.
I'd always wondered why they had telescopes. I naively wondered if they used these to view the lands ahead. I can't say it was a question that I agonised over much, but I did wonder why they used a telescope rather than binoculars!
So no maps...not paper ones anyway. Hope this made you smile.
Enough of my babble for now. Sorry guys!
Amy x
3 comments:
"For what is not on the map is still to be encountered" - love this ... nice blog, just wondering what mapping actually is in terms of the course? I am struggling a bit with the digram and what goes whereas in my head the essay/blogs and diagram are all the same thoughts I have and therefore content?... any help would be great.
https://swattsonstage.blogspot.com
Hi Emily,
Thanks for your kind comment. In terms of making, I too was getting slightly too bogged down with the imagery associated with a physical map. It is basically just a way to think about our creative practise and processes around this in relation to the course etc. It doesn't have to be a physical map, just a way of thinking. It may be a spider diagram, a list, a physical representative object or artwork, a dance or music or text....anything that helps you too process your thoughts and ideas in relation to the work.
Sorry I'm grabbing a few seconds in a break to type so hope this provides a little help at least. There have been loads of useful insights in the Skype sessions and on other students blogs which can give you LOADS more relevant info to help you with the mapping aspect. The tutors are brilliant at explaining this too.
Hope you are enjoying the course too :)
Amy
Hi Amy
I enjoyed reading this blog :)
I often get a little anxious about the Skype calls ! The first one I was really nervous. The last one I felt much more comfortable. So progress is being made.
Really interesting thoughts and plenty to digest
Best wishes
Lois
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