Neel Murgai- Graduation presentation at residency

Neel Murgai, recently seen performing on The Late Show w/ David Letterman and The Simpson's 20th Anniversary Special, will be giving his graduation presentation at Goddard College.

To view via live web stream, visit:

www.ustream.tv/channel/neel-murgai

Nap time... I wish!

It is hard to know what day it is. I know what to go to next because everything else is crossed off with a highlighter.

Nap time should be on the schedule but it is not.

Saturday at 1:00 is the time that they post the advisors. All the students then break up into their adviser group meetings. My adviser is new to the program they call them F1’s (faculty 1) But I think it will be a good fit. So instead of going to presentations I’m here trying to get my study plan formulated.

… no a new student just dropped in and asked if I wanted to go for a walk. WE just got back from the library and looking at the graduation portfolios.

NOW I’m working on my study plan. 1 hour before dinner.

This space is held for Lisa Thorp Kumar!

Missing you at Goddard Residency. Peace and come back soon.

How does this work? G1, G2, G3, G4, G5 and hints.

It was the last meeting today with our groups. You know you don’t spend a lot of time with your group. There are a few meetings at residency but somehow you bond. I’m sad to see both Eric and Dave graduate they have really added to my experience here at Goddard.

For those considering or just starting residency let me reiterate
There are 5 semesters at Goddard. Each has pretty much a purpose

G1-coming in you have to write both an overall study plan and a semester study plan. Hint be specific in a very vague way. Give yourself wiggle room. You can really focus on whatever you want. Several people are trying to get 18 hours of credit in a certain discipline so they can teach that at a graduate level. Therefore there is much more structure to their plans then there is to a typical plan. Mine is one of those. Goddard encourages self exploration with little limits within the degree criteria.

G2- Again you can study whatever you want. You will have to create a progress report in your G2. I’ll let you know how that goes. This used to be done in G3 but they felt that it did not give you enough time to complete whatever you need. THE DEGREE CRITERIA IS IMPORTANT! Post this at your desk, work your study plan around this. You must meet all of the degree criteria. This progress report is to be sure that you are on the right track with doing that. It is in addition to your evaluation that you do on yourself at the end of the semester. If you feel you are leaning in a direction for a practicum that will take more than one semester to achieve, then you can do some of the work in your G2 to get ready, however this needs to be approved. I plan on setting up a meeting with Jackie about this at this residency. SHOOT how do I find time on the schedule?


G3- This is your practicum. It is something that stretches you. Create a community piece of art, teach, do something that you are not used to doing. Ask people about what what they did for their practicum.

G4- LAST CHANCE- sometimes a person’s practicum can change their direction, or give them new insight. Your G4 is the chance to fit in anything that you feel may be missing to graduate. LOOK AT DEGREE CRITERIA. Look at your advisors evaluations? Do they tell you there is anything missing?

G5-You are writing your thesis, or putting together your portfolio. Some suggestions from those in my group about their G5 and portfolio writing. You have 3 packets to pull the entire draft together.

• OUTLINE go through all of your packets and your advisors evaluations to make a comprehensive outline.

• Keep a running annotated bib throughout all of your semesters. One student said “It is the footprint of the journey that you took… add a bunch of fluff.” LOL

• Write down your stray thoughts throughout Goddard. A little bit adds up to a lot.

• It helps to paraphrase the degree criteria (this also helps G1’s) how does your study fit into that?

• Look at 3 portfolios each semester. They are in the basement. Go with friends and then you can share what you find. You can only look at three at a time. (I hear these will soon be available online.)

• One person saved copies of all the resource material. They said this was helpful for their portfolio.

Here are some more thoughts. You have to have a second reader. You pick three people you would like to be your second reader. As I understand it-If you have had your G4 adviser before, you must pick a second reader who does not know you. You have never had your G5 adviser you can pick someone you know as your second reader. Someone asked do your adviser and your second reader agree? The answer was, “most of the time but sometimes not. But it works out in the end.”

Many people have paid professional proofreaders to look over their portfolio.

Snow

Here are some pictures. Night pictures of it snowing and pictures from my dorm room in the early morning hours.

Greetings from Goddard College

I’m so glad that my flight went without a hitch, and… my bag was in Burlington when I got here. So far one person has no suitcase, another person shipped her things and they never arrived. Note: help desk has free toothbrushes, bring extra night clothes to share with friends.

Amanda and I sat in the lounge area for our meet and greet of as many G1’s as possible. Hot apple cider and cookies enticed others to join us. ( students are referred to by their place in the program Graduate 1's are the new students, I'm now a G2) I suppose this will be a meet and greet will be a new regular thing 3:30- until dinner.

Dinner was uneventful for a meal. I stopped into the G1’s orientation to introduce myself. And then walked up to the upper dorms to get the wine that I purchased at the grocery store on the way in to Campus. My ride and good friend Doug had it. This was my first adventure into the upper dorms. I am so glad I am in Kilpatrick and not in those dorms. I mean they have their charm, a community room and a tight knit feeling between those who are in your house, but it is a walk to the dorms and a very cold walk at that. I’ll try to post pictures of the other dorms so new people or prospective students can get a feel of what they are like.

Coming back form the upper dorms I almost took a tumble at least a few times. I’m glad I brought my big black coat and I have a sweatshirt and two other layers under it. One scarf is not enough when walking. I may move to two. Oh this Texas girl can’t handle the Vermont cold.

There was the usual reception “First Night Gathering at the Manor Lounge." I didn’t stay long, just long enough to talk to one of my favorite graduates and to pick his brain about that last semester process, our talk made me feel quite comfortable about that.

Best advice. Keep an annotated Bib all throughout the semesters. It makes that final semester much easier. I have been doing that. I'll post more advice later.

Back to the dorm and into pj’s poured a glass of wine and had some cheese snitched from the manor house and settling into “the process.” A new G1 stopped in and we chatted. My dorm is always open to those G1’s or others who need to chat about the process.

My biggest revelation so far, or not a revelation actually but more a confirmation—getting an MFA is necessary. We are all in that same spot. Very, very professional people who have worked in their field for years but can’t get a job teaching … or job is threatened by not having that stupid piece of paper.

Well more later it is off to lunch and then the next thing and the next. I’ll post pictures as soon as I can.

Pictures: gathering in the lounge for Meet and Greet
Help desk:

The trip to residency begins...early

Up at 3:30, though I could not sleep so I was really up at 1:00. That is o.k. I went to bed early with anticipation of this problem. 4 hours sleep for travel and the first day should be o.k. At the airport at 4:31 a.m.The gates opened at 4:30. a.m. The checkpoint was not very slow, but we were after all the first people here. I always feel sorry for those behind me because I always get searched, and I have a ton of stuff, take computer out of bag, take shoes off. Now I have two coats on one sweatshirt and then my winter coat. I don’t like winter traveling. This will be the deciding factor as to which winter coat I bring in the future for winter residency. Can I handle a smaller less thick coat? I also have two satchels this time as my suitcase was just at 50 lbs. I took the scale out of my shipping department to be sure. So I am left hauling winter boots, gloves, and in an additional quark express carry on bag. At the last minute I thought about an umbrella and tucked that in there as well.

I was not searched but I did have to take off some extra belongings. Mental note… do not use a metal barred when traveling.

I am glad I remembered to tuck my vitamins in my pocket this morning and after getting some sort of airport breakfast and a bottled water and coffee I’m sitting here with my computer at the nearest plug. Mental note. Need a new Mac battery.

Well enough blogging, While waiting for airplane I can steal a few minutes of creative writing, which I try to do at least 15 minutes of that each day. I know all of my time writing at residency will be for my own study plan.

A book by one of our professors at Goddard

Rick Benjamin one of the professors at Goddard has a new book out. Check it out.
http://rickbenjamin.org/

Bring mud boots

I just spoke with Phillip at Goddard, He said be sure to bring your mud boots. Boots? I have cowboy dancing boots, wait I think I have some hiking boots in the back of my closet. They certainly are not waterproof. He said with the rain they had it is icky there, but as he looks out his window there is a dusting of snow.

Weather in Vermont this residency week

Accoding to this weather report the weather for Plainfield Vermont is

Thursday Jan 28
30 degrees and 6 degrees (PM snow showers)
Friday Jan 29
8 degrees and 0 degrees ( Few snow showers)
Saturday 30
12 degere and 5 degrees ( Partly cloudy)
Sunday
18degrees and 7 degrees ( Few snow showers)
Monday 1
24 degrees and 16 degrees ( Partly cloudy) we are warming up?
Tuesday 2
28 dgrees and 21 degrees ( Cloudy)
Wednesday 3
30 degrees and 11 degrees ( Snow shower)
Thursday 4
27 degree and 15 degrees ( Partly cloudy)

OH no! I need to be at the airport at 4:30 in the morning?

That is insane! My flight leaves at 6:20 and I just called. Indeed they said an hour and a half to two hours before flight time, but they open at 4:30. It is a huge endeavor to get to Vermont early afternoon!

New student questions

If you have questions or just want to talk I'm available. Just e mail me privately at bridgette ( at) creativesculpture.com and give me your phone number and a good time to call when we can chat. There seems to be such a disconnect between the time that you receive the notice where you say, "I'm in" to the time that you actually get to the program. For me it is good to have a voice or a connection, and I'm extending myself as that connection- student to student. I'm also excited to hear about your own direction of study. They are all so vast at Goddard.

Some questions that came in follow- here are my thoughts on those questions.

Should I bring my laptop?
It is not necessary as there is both a computer lab, in the main building, and there are computers in the library. If you don't bring a computer be sure to bring a pin drive so you can take your files off of the computer and they won't be deleted. With all that said, there is something about having your own computer to work on. You will find people working in their rooms, in the lounges of each dorm, in the lounges of the main building, the library etc. YOu will have to write a study plan, ( G1's need two study plans) see previous posts and that can take some thought and time. I love working in my room, looking out the window at those walking on the campus. Plus my cell phone does not work at Goddard, most people have a difficult time getting a connection try by the stone wall outside of building 13 on the way to the Manor House. And so having a computer allows me to chat with my family through skype.

Is there wireless in the dorm?
Yes, there is wireless in the dorm. Actually throughout all of the campus. My room in Kilpatrick also had a connection for the network and I did bring the appropriate wire to connect to it, just in case.

Are the dorm rooms single or shared?
They are shared dorm rooms unless you request a single and unfortunately there is a $200. extra charge for a single room. Of course with that said, there may be a chance that you end up not having a roommate unless you specifically request one. I know some people have had the same roommate for many semesters. I myself like a single room, a place to decompress and be away from others. A place where I am guaranteed quiet for reading or writing.

Also I have tried to put some pictures up to give you a sense of the community space. The first picture is taken from the steps of Kilpatrick dorm and you can see how close it is to the main building ( past the person doing the cartwheel), probably why it is known as the quiet dorm. Then you have to walk past the main building which is number 13. This picture is kind of taken near the 14 looking up the steps. You can see building 18 on the right. The last picture is of a friend but I have put it here because there is a pathway that runs along the back side of Hollister, fisher Giles and you can see these dorm houses on the right of the picture. This may give you a sense of the space. I think this semester I'll take pictures of the dorms and put them up here for others to see. The dorms up the hill 19+ are further away, but tend to be the louder dorms, or that is what I get a feel for. Now with all of that said. If you are in a quiet dorm you can always find out where others are - say the music room or up at the upper dorms, there is a gathering first night in the manor room and socialize there then come back to your quiet dorm. I see many students do that as well as hiking in the woods. But I have no experience there as my first residency was so busy that I didn't have time to venture out on the trails. This is something I want to do and share next semester.



May I bring a guitar?
Oh yes, Please bring your guitar. I'm not sure how it goes during winter residency as this will be my first one. But during summer residency there are regular fires at night outside where people gather to sing and play. There is also a talent night ( closing session cabaret 7:30-9:30 sign up in advance) if you want to sing or do something with others. Plus you can always entertain in your dorm, if it is allowed in that dorm. During the winter I think the music room is opened for the evening sing alongs. ( see number 9 on the map) Our guitar player or one that brought it each night is graduating this year, so it is good to see that there are others to replace him.


What are the policies for alcohol in the dorms?
Some dorms are alchohol free dorms, but others are not. I don't know the official rule, or if there is one, check the student handbook, but I can tell you that some students do bring alcohol. You must check to see if your dorm is a quiet dorm. Kilpatrick is one of those.

Have dorm rooms been assigned yet?
Check with Mat at the help desk I think he will have the room assignments after the 26th. Most people find out when they arrive. My first semester it was hard. How do you know what kind of dorm you want without seeing them. as I said in a previous post Kilpatrick is in the main area, the others are up the hill are more laid back. At least that is my opinion. I had to ask to change rooms my first semester as my room was below the stairs and next to this tin roof. It was hot and the window was open and it rained. I felt like I was sleeping in a war zone. Though the next person who got the room, I am told, loved it. Others hate being by the bathroom. I like that aspect of my room, if I am lucky enough to get the same room. I have a fan on in my room and don't hear the traffic of the bathroom but appreciate it's proximity.

Each dorm has a set of rooms, bathrooms and of course a common area. I think most have a fridge of sorts as well. Mine had a coffee pot. I'm not sure who would get up each morning and make hot water, but boy was I excited! I love my tea in the morning in my own glass mug!


Hope this helps, Keep the questions coming.

No paper work- bring what was sent

It has occurred to me that I have not received one stitch of anything in the mail concerning returning to college. I guess the internet has taken over this area. I'm active on the internet, but I wonder how many people are not? Still I loved when I was at Vermont College and I would get that pre packet in the mail with the roster, and information. Touching something makes me feel connected.

I might like to add that if you have paper work on payments etc. It is a good idea to bring those with you just in case there is a problem during registration.

Yes, bring art!

I had the same question when coming to Goddard my first semester. Should I bring art? There are several chances to show art. When you get to Goddard check the schedule for something called "considered Spaces." These are places and opportunities to share your work. And I have found that artwork turns up everywhere throughout residency. Sometimes it is artwork created, other times it is just artwork that students feel lead to bring and show. Keep your eyes open, you can never be sure where you will find the artwork. For example I was half way through residency before I noticed that there was a bunch of tapestries hanging on the second floor lounge of our dorm. If your work is large then consider bringing photographs of your work. You will also find all sorts of art at the shows. Here are some pictures of things from last semesters "considered Spaces"

Goddard and Vermont College featured at College Bound

I was thrilled to participate in Barbara Bellesi's article No-Grade Colleges Encourage Hard Work ON the College Bound Network website. I am a proponent of the student driven education that you find at Vermont College and Goddard College. If I was not, well I wouldn't keep this blog. thanks for the great article Barbara.

Why this blog?

I started this blog back in 2005, when I made the decision to go back to school. I was 45 at the time and it seemed like a daunting task. It is my journal through that process but also through the process of finding a type of education that I am thrilled about. A student driven learning that was found at Vermont College Union institute for my undergraduate program and through to Goddard College for my graduate program.

Looking back I reflect on silly things like childhood immunization records needed to get into college, and my progression through residencies, working at CLEP tests, getting credit for my life experience, living and studying through hurricanes and deaths. It is my personal journey.

I love to educate and inform, but I trust that those who are looking at colleges have indeed researched the websites and talked to registration, and that they know that there is much more involved in a BA or an MFA than my experiences. There are dancers, poets, and others besides this simple little writer and sculptor and her blog. But I would like to think that as I express my journey, whatever it might be, that it would help others. That maybe it would encourage others to step out on their own journey of discovery.

Official disclaimer

It has been brought to my attention that I need to put an official disclaimer on this site. Originally I thought about putting it in the side panel but then discarded that idea. But please note that although I talk about residency at these two colleges, and have a good deal of information to share with potential students or students considering this type of education, I am not an official representative of either college. This blog and my words are my own opinion and experiences.

I didn't really feel like that needed to be said, but alas. I have said it. And that is also my unofficial opinion.

Now feel free to float through this blog and learn about these wonderful programs and become a perpetual learner.

More about the campus and the map

More about the campus and the map

Community Center
Here is one of the main buildings on the campus. In this building you will find the cafeteria, the help desk, the computer lab a couple of lounges and a small store. The bulletin board between the cafeteria and the help desk will be where you find a great deal of the information that you need. Be sure to check this regularly as changes to the schedule are posed as well as other activities that may not be written in the schedule.

The second floor of the Community Center will have some rooms that you will most likely be going to throughout your studies during residency. I do believe that the instructors have temporary offices here while on campus.

Hay Barn
The hay barn is also upstairs. I know it sounds strange. No there are not any horses or cows. It is rural but it is not that rural. It is a cool space. There are two other entrances to the haybarn as well, one in the back and one on the side. The haybarn is the big area where we all meet. Graduation is held here, and there will be some presentations in the haybarn as well.

Note number 8 on the map.
About Wednesday you may be looking for this. It is on the backside of this building and is where the laundry rooms are. There are plenty of machines but you will need quarters and laundry detergent. I think I recall seeing a vending machine somewhere that had toiletries and laundry detergent, but I could be mistaken. Finding time to do laundry is an entirely different story.

Dorms
You can see the dorms number 5 is the closest to the main campus, and is a quiet dorm, no alcohol allowed. The others on the hill 19-30 are large houses with a few dorm rooms in each and a common area.

The Manor
This is the building that had the social last year. IT will also be the place for several presentations.

Library
As one student said last year when I was trying to find the library, “Hike up this trail until you feel that you are lost and have gone too far. Go a bit further and you will see the library.” I have no idea how this trail is in the winter. Those with cars and who park in lot 2 probably drive there.

Those are the basic buildings I’ll post more that I can think of later.

More new student information.

Sharing a ride
For those of you coming to Goddard MFAIA for the first time, if you need transportation from the airport you can contact either of these cab companies. Last year Everywhere kept a name of everyone who was coming in to see how they could gang them up to save money. If anyone is coming in around 1:17 on Thursday let me know. That is when I get in and I would be happy to share a ride.

Everywhere taxi 802-878-3623
I called. Everywhere is 100. They have worked with Goddard a while and will keep the list and group students. So if you can share a ride with another person then it is 50 and more than that.. well you get the idea.
Or Vermont tour and Charter (802) 734-1293 Works a little differently. It is 80.00 For one person and two people is 40. Three or more are 30.00 each.

It is about 48.4 miles about 58 minutes from airport to campus. Here is a map.

If you would like a map of the campus follow this link for a pdf.

The Map
You will be coming into the campus on the main entrance and you will go to building 13 to the help desk to check in. The first door you come into from the parking lot is where the cafeteria is. Go in here, then keep walking past the bulletin boards and a lounge area. The help desk will be on your left. Here is where you check in a get your key. I hope to be setting up a Welcoming committee in the lounge area to help others who are arriving. All newcomers are welcome to hang out there once they get settled.

Depending on where your dorm is you may want to ask the cab people to hang around until you get your key. It can be quite a hike with a suitcase going up to the dorms starting at 19-20 on the map.

I expect I will be in the same room as I have before. I will be in Kilpatrik Room 117- it is on the first floor down the left hallway, on the left, just past the ladies room. In case you are looking for something or just want to say hi. I'll confirm this room number closer to residency. I'll also try to have paper on my door should anyone have questions.

The help desk is well. EXTREMELY HELPFUL! So if you need anything check with Matt or Paul. Suzie is on in the evenings Also Jessee, Joan or Karen. I think that is everyone. and the help desk phone number is 802-322-1666.

DINNER ON THURSDAY
Matt asked me to remind everyone that dinner hours are from 5:45 until 7:00. They can't really hold dinner for anyone, but your dinner that evening is included in the cost of the residency.

that is it for now, more information once I think of it.

Don't forget to check out previous posts for more information
Oh yes, I need to put flashlight on my packing list. I used it a couple of times, but mostly to read by at night!, and to help the band when we were jamming around the fire, but then it is winter and my first winter on campus so we will see how those jam sessions go.

Let me officially welcome you.... (in an unofficial way!)

Yes, this is what I love to do. I hate that time between getting everything into the college and actually getting to college that first semester. There seems to be such a disconnect there for me. That is why I have offered to become Goddard's official welcoming committee ( in an unofficial way)for the first semester students who are coming. I was pleased to talk to Jacqueline Hayes today. She is the Interim program director She will be sending out notices to each of the students. What does the welcoming committee entail?

Well...first I will personally try to contact each of the new people before residency. The goal is to introduce myself, and give them a contact name should they need anything or have any questions.

Then of course there is this blog. I'll post what helpful information I can get.

I believe I'll have a welcoming station at school, somewhere next to the help desk. Anyone want to sit with me while I wait for people to come in?

And don't forget there is a social for everyone, in the evening. More on that later. Here is my picture, for those of you that I am welcoming.

Packing list

Nothing like a packing list. I'll have to add to this as I go along.

Packing list

SCHOOL STUFF
*lap top computer
*pin drive
*binder for notes
* Presentation on computer and DVD
* Copy over all of school notes to lap top.



OTHER STUFF
*Camera for computer- I like to chat with my daughter while I am away.
* Digital camera- Hubby bought me a new one for school, can't wait to use it.
* Charger for Digital Camera
* Cell Phone- Mine does not work in Vermont but is good for the airport lay overs etc.
* Charger for Cell Phone

MY ESSENTIALS
* hypoallergenic Matress pad, and pillow case. I know it sounds a bit excessive, but I have allergies. and I must remind everyone to do everything you can to make yourself comfortable and healthy. Residency can be very stressful.
* Humidifier. As I said I hate that dry heat. In an undergraduate residency someone actually packed their humidifier and I used it during the night and they did it during the day. I have bought a travel one. I sure hope it works.
* Small fan. It is a noise thing but will also help if it is hot. The desk does have things like fans that you can barrow, and there was one in my dorm room.
* Power strip with 3 prong adapter.
* Hangers- I had no problem last time, but just in case.
* A bottle of vitamin C. I thought about this last semester and did not do it. but there were so many people sick around me last semester that I may bring an entire bottle to share.
* flip flops for shower
* bottle opener? My dorm is an alcohol free dorm, but come wed or Thursday I'm ready to have a glass of wine. I used to stop on the way in at undergrad residency. To have to offer to those coming in. But I have yet to venture to the store ( on foot) at Goddard.
* Glass coffee cup. I know this is another one of my luxury items. There are warning about sneaking coffee cups out of the cafeteria and I love having tea in the morning in a real mug.
* Lipton tea bags. Plenty of tea at the cafeteria, but I'm a lipton girl.
* water jug or cup. I got a plastic bottle of water at the airport and saved that thing throughout residency. This time I'll bring a bottle of my own.


* flash light. I only used this at night when I was reading and once or twice by the fire to help the band with things. I brought a small one and liked having it.

* Towel and hand towel.

* Hand mirror0- My dorm room did not have a mirror and so a small mirror was handy
* Tissues- small travel tissues also came in handy


Library books- Yes, you can check out books. But you must bring them back to residency.


TOILETRIES





More to come

How different this will all look in a few weeks.

These are some photographs from last semester at Goddard. I am sure it is nothing but white right now. Now I won't mind the snow, or even the cold. Believe it or not this Texan hates the heat in the buildings. Remember even in our heat of Houston we go form AC to AC.

Photos to come.

Technicially the first semseter has ended.

Technically my first semester was finished a few weeks ago. Semester was from 7/24 09 to 11/30/0. It went well, though I still can’t believe I have done all that I did with the passing of my mother just a few weeks after my first residency. My student evaluation and adviser evaluation are now on the Student Information System. ( SIS is a portion of the Goddard website that keeps this information) I petitioned for traditional credits along with narrative credits and was awarded them. Though it was a bit o f a trick to find credits or create credits for a topic that really does not exist yet. And my SIS has the starting date of 1/29/2010 and end date of 5/31/2010 listed so I guess I'll soon be into my second semester.

I suppose everyone enjoyed their few weeks break between semesters. I, however kept on with my study. When you are doing research it is impossible for all of those connections that you made to just stop. Plus my study is deeply ingrained in the book that I am writing and the publisher has deadlines.

It is but 3 weeks before the new semester begins. I’ll be a G2 when I get back. I hope to put some information on this blog between now and the date of returning to school January 28^th. It is for those people who are considering Goddard, or are going to Goddard for their first semester. I absolutely hate those few weeks before going to a new college for the first time and not having any connection to students or others. Allow me to be your connection. I have asked if I could call each of the new students personally and welcome them. Still waiting to hear if I’ll be able to get the names of the students to call.

I have not posted much on this blog from my study, but be assured if you are interested in what I am researching and studying for my MFAIA at Goddard all you need to do is check in from time to time on my other blog found at http://www.creativesculpture.com/blog

Follow me on facebook or on twitter. All of these have more information than you can ever think of.

How to pick a graduate adviser

( this post copied from my professional blog)

How on earth does one decide which adviser at Goddard College will be a good fit for the following semester? My present faculty adviser was assigned to me. Because it was my first semester-Judy Hiramoto. I have enjoyed our interaction. I am pretty much a go-getter when it comes to education and learning. I probably do much more work than is necessary and I don’t need hand holding. In fact, this study is so deep with new research that I’m finding things each time I turn around. I had no semester break, the research continued.

I have floated through the program faculty and am at a loss. There are no “sculptors” in the faculty, that I can find. Is it really necessary for me to have a sculptor as an adviser. I don’t think so. (Plainfield, Vermont Residency).

I read Valerie Walker is coming onto the program. Though I am not a fiber artist I appreciate her interaction of her work with technology, plus she does a radio show, “exploring all aspects of digital culture & awareness from the perspective of women living it." My present podcast is not actually a part of my study, however, I am planning on expanding it to include interviews with those working with this technology. O.k. I just faced book Valerie. Maybe some pre-conversations would help.

Peter Hocking is another choice I ask myself why? Hmmm. Some of the things in his bio? “digital performance”, “ I love comic books.” I just think it is cool that someone who is asked to include their pedagogical statement puts that in it. “I am committed to the dignity and intrinsic value of each of us as learners.” This is also a good statement. He is from Goddard College MA and I like the Rhode Island school of design, though I am not sure what the “Director of the office of public engagement” actually does.

Brian Harnetty. Again I ask myself why? I am not a musician. I like that he is interested in, “creative communication between musicians, writers, visual artists, scientists, and so on—and the value of expressing this communication through new media” I ponder our connection.

My choice for Erica Eaton would be for no other reason than she facilitated a G1 meeting that I attended and I had a good feel about her. “I have often said that what I really do is translate, remind people of what they already know and empower them to use it and develop it further. I facilitate. I see my role as a “teacher” in a similar fashion. I am not there to “deposit” knowledge, but to co-create it. “ I like this statement. Of course I like that she has studied at the University of Buffalo. It is my home-town. I feel the same about Rick Benjamin, but he is on leave for this residency.

I guess my choice should really reflect on my study. It is more of the same from last year. Though transcripts are narrative at Goddard College I have asked for course equivalents as well. For any college that I am going to teach at will require that I have a certain amount of course credits in that discipline. ( see previous post)

Here is an idea of my study.

The changes this semester would be technical and journalism writing instead of memoir, as I am trying to document my research into 3D sculpting, scanning, printing and milling as it pertains to the traditional sculptor. I also plan on interviewing different artists and individuals working in these fields- A 3D fireside podcast so to speak. I’m also pitching another book to the publisher, must get the Mudbox book out first. Our deadline is February. The second book is an interview with artists that are using technology to create incredible and interesting art. I’m thrilled about the idea. Of course I’ll have to write about the technology as well.

And I’m thrilled about he lecture that I am giving at Goddard while I am at residency. I would like to present this through the semester to other art organizations and colleges here. This past semester has been heavy in research and documentation. It is difficult to stop as everything is changing so quickly. It has been amazing that no sooner do I find a missing like, something that is needed to “Bridge the gap between technology and the traditional studio” then the technology is created and posted. It is a fascinating journey.

First Semester Graduate Courses Studies at Goddard College

Studio Art and Technology
Variable topics course designed to explore concepts and processes in art-making that go beyond the normal curricular parameters of traditional studio disciplines.

History of Digital Technology in the Traditional Studio
In this course there is an Evaluation of the History of Digital art in the Traditional Studio and philosophical discussions comparing new technology with the “old” way. Evaluating the “Value” set upon the work and also the acceptance of technology and the process in fine art. An exploration of contemporary artists who have paved the way for the acceptances of this technology is also explored.

Traditional Sculpting/Digital Sculpting
Comparing the process of sculpting digitally and traditionally. A study and experiment with creating digital sculpture in the traditional sculpting style. Searching the psychological aspects and barriers of traditional artists who are beginning to use digital technology in the traditional studio.

Memoir Writing
Study of memoirs by contemporary authors to become more familiar with the many possibilities available to writers working in this form. Focus is on issues relevant to the writing of memoir, including craft and techniques, memory and truth-telling, and interior and exterior significance.

Health at Goddard residency

This came a few weeks back. I thought I would post it here. I like the idea of bowing.

Dear Goddard community,

As the 2010 residency season grows closer, I would like to take the time to provide information related to health and safety of the Goddard community.

As we all know, concerns about the flu are on the rise as winter arrives and the traditional flu season begins. In Plainfield and Port Townsend, Goddard does not have on-campus health centers or professional medical staff to advise or care for people who are ill. Goddard does not provide flu vaccinations. Faculty and students who are ill during residencies rely on the local medical professionals in the Central Vermont or Port Townsend communities. This past summer and fall a few individuals in the Goddard community reported having H1N1 diagnosed or had flu-like symptoms, but there was no disruption to the residencies. While we hope there is no significant illness outbreak for the January through April residencies, we would like to have us all remain alert and take the following precautions:
If you are ill prior to the residency and are still in the contagious stage of a transmittable illness, please do not attend the residency. Contact your program director to make special arrangements. If appropriate, we will work to connect you to individual advising sessions, the advising group, and workshops remotely so that you can still participate. We will organize this on a case-by-case basis. Please give your program director and the IT staff as much lead time as possible.
If you become ill en route to Goddard or during the residency, please take care not to spread your illness. Goddard staff will work with you to create a quiet, secluded area for you to recuperate and will set up phone sessions for you to participate in aspects of the residency, if this is appropriate.
Goddard will have hand sanitizers throughout the campus.
Please cough and sneeze into your elbow, rather than your hands, and use tissues. While this may seem like common sense, we hope this reminder will reduce spread of illnesses.
Goddard has a supply of face masks, which will be available at the Help Desk in the Community Center in Plainfield or available at the Port Townsend Residency Office. People with weak or compromised immune systems might consider wearing a mask for protection, as well as those who are concerned they may be coming down with an illness or be sick.
While shaking hands and giving hugs is part of Goddard friendliness, feel free to offer another gesture, such as a bow, and to ask others to refrain from close contact.
Illnesses can spread through residencies very quickly, so we ask that you be mindful as you balance your concern for attending the residency with the welfare of the Goddard community. This also affects all the people who will share car, bus, train, and airplane air with faculty and students traveling after the residency!

In terms of potential emergencies, here is the link to more information about Goddard’s emergency response plan, the Goddard crime report, and links to other relevant websites.

http://www.goddard.edu/emergency

All the flu and emergency information aside, we do wish you a happy December and good health in the coming new year, and we look forward to seeing you at your upcoming residency.

What? Why are you doing that?

( copied from my professional blog)

Lately I have not posted much of my own creative work on this blog. Some may wonder why. I have but two answers, graduate work and writing a book. Either, by themselves would be a daunting but with this MFAIA Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Art I can work my research and the book writing into my degree plan.

Many have asked me, “Why would a master sculptor need a Masters Degree?” It is very simple, believe it or not I have been turned down to teach sculpting at the college level because of this lack of paperwork. Do I plan to teach? I’m not sure, but as I enter this stage of my life I thought it would be good to have this document. (Though, I often think that in the future I will probably be paying off my graduate school loans with my social security income.)

My focus in my graduate studies is two fold. Sculpting of course, but here is the clincher, because I was already considered a master sculptor they frowned on me entering the program to study sculpture. That is good because frankly doing that for 3 years might make me puke. (This is a terminal degree that is why it is 3 years.) However, to teach at a college level I must have 15 hours of study, minimum in the area I want to teach. There is a catch 22.

So I put a twist of interest to my degree study in sculpture. The basic premise of one half of my study is “Bridging the gab between new technology and the traditional studio.” That is why I am focusing on digital sculpting, scanning, printing, milling as it pertains to my craft. It began with this article (pdf) that I wrote for Sculpture Review a few years back. The study is fascinating and I believe it will affect my future artwork, though I am still doing traditional portrait and life-size commissions and love doing so. I’ll just utilize these processes to incorporate them in my study and workflow!

Besides looking at the technology and the different aspects of it. I seem to be drawn to individuals who are using data to create artwork. The data depicts what the art will look like. This can be seen in weaving of Nathalie Miebach. Or as simple as David Beck using a GPS system and digital printing to print out a sort of portrait of his friends. I really enjoyed listening to the videos of (MOMA )Museum of Modern Art’s exhibit Design and the Elastic Mind. It was validating when I heard Curator Paola Antonelli discusses the importance of 3Drapid prototype printing. She states, “The most interesting and most important technological innovations in the field of design and the field of manufacturing is 3Dprinting.” I know my study is going in the right direction. I will try to bring these videos to my blog.

This new direction was so not me. To turn my head from figurative realism even for a moment to consider other things is not something I am used to or have ever been drawn to. But there is something about the seeing information visually. Even those in science are saying now that they can print out molecular items they can now see how they relate to each other in ways that were never apparent. Perhaps it is that somehow I feel there is something hidden, a secret that is under the data that can only be known when it is a visual, when it is made as art.

Another artist that I really like is Robert Lazzarini. Remember when you look at these they are not skewed photographs but are actual sculptures created, and often digitally printed in this skewed manner. They must be something to see in person. All of this work is different than the figurative work that I have studied in the past, but that is what school is supposed to do, stretch you, challenge you, cause you to think past what you would normally consider.

Oh yes, there is a second area of my graduate study. It is writing. As you can tell from past articles, columns and books— I like to write. I enjoy writing about art, creativity and other subjects and am presently working on a Mudbox book. I'm thrilled to see my name at Amazon, even though we are not quite done with the book. I stumbled upon the Amazon information when I was trying to do my research, to be honest this area of study is so new that there is little out there about it. But the book that seemed to have everything that I was trying to study- lead me to my own book on Amazon. Mudbox is a program that allows you to sculpt in the computer. I have enjoyed my research and studies and will continue to do so. I feel it is opening up new doors of opportunities as well as enlightenment and inspiration and I enjoy sharing some of my research on this blog.

What? evaluate myself?

At the end of each semester you are asked to evaluate your progress through the semester. Did you achieve what you set out to? I have come from the Vermont College Program and have found that these studies can grow, and develop a life of their own. Below I have included my self-evaluation. It also has my bibliography. Don't be frightened I read a lot and did quit a bit of research. Most of which is cutting edge and can't really be found in books yet. I am also an over achiever, and probably did more than I was supposed to. But, it is how I work. So here is my evaluation of my semester as found on my SIS Student Information system. I hope that posting this type of information is helpful to someone out there. Oh, and one more thing. It helps to be a bit vague when preparing your study plan. Don't rope yourself in with exactly what you want to do. Give yourself some wiggle room. And another note. You will see between this student evaluation and the original study plan, my bibliography changed quite a bit. It has a tendency to do that. At least in my case with research. God I love this type of learning. IT IS THE BEST!

I changed my study a bit and wrote more about my mom and her death, rather than creativity in general or spirituality and creativity. After losing her during the semester, they kind of felt like the same thing. I am ever so thankful that I had that outlet of writing the process of her death as part of my study. It is probably how I got through the semester.


Areas of inquiry.
Sculpture/Studio art
Technology
Writing

1. Overall, how did your creative and intellectual work evolve this semester? What were your goals and how well did you meet them? How has your work this semester affected your art practice and how you see yourself as an artist?

My work both creatively and intellectually continued to evolve over this semester.

WRITING
My creative writing focused on memoir and emotion prompting me to explore my surroundings and experiences and continue in a daily writing practice of expression. Focusing on symbolism and character in nonfiction, I explored the relationships with the books to my own experiences and emotion. With the creative writing, I felt I have more than met the goals that I set out for myself this semester.

TECHNOLOGY AND TRADITIONAL ART STUDIO
This part of my study has affected my art practice greatly and in fact is continuing to do so. By immersing myself in a different type of sculpture process and the technology, and by making myself more aware of the interaction between art, science, and technology, it is not only affecting how I create or may create in the future, but also how I think about inspiration and the process. As a figurative artist it has been difficult for me to find value in other types of sculpture, but this study has shown me a different way of looking at the creations.

My goals for research were met, but since bridging the gap between the traditional sculptor and the technology is really a new process as far as the technology goes and the fact that technology is changing drastically and daily, I feel that I am just getting started in my research and understanding. I felt that I met my goals through this part of my study and that it is emerging, growing, and enlightening other areas. I can see that it is much deeper than I first anticipated and am excited about pursuing it.

2. What creative projects did you undertake this semester and what did you discover as a result? In what ways was the work experimental; did you explore any new processes, materials, contexts or goals this semester? Describe both the intentions and the outcomes of this work. What learning, new possibilities, products or other results emerged from these activities?

I had a few creative projects during this semester.
WRITING
In writing it was the writing itself. Reading other writers memoirs and spiritual journeys helped me to be able to be more blunt about my own. My original intention of this part of my study was to focus on creativity and spirituality, but after my mother’s death, which occurred just after residency, I realized that it was really just a journey of self-discovery. I felt comfortable with the adjustment of the process and direction. There was much that emerged from the writing. The writing seemed to open up my eyes to so much more than just writing. It helped me to be more observant of my surroundings and my own interior life. I have at least 100 other pages of writing that were done that were never shown to my instructor and several new writing directions I hope to explore.

TECHNOLOGY AND THE TRADITIONAL STUDIO
Much of my work this semester was spent immersing myself into the technology and the research that has been done, as well as the art as it pertains to the traditional and digital studio. I had two creative project, one where I took the traditional process of sculpting and translated it to digital and wrote a tutorial, another where I was learning and experimenting with scanning and retoplogizing of a traditional sculpture to put the sculpture into digital format for further exploration with digital design and output. All the work I am doing in this field is new and experimental. Bridging the gap between traditional and digital studio is also a matter of training the brain to view things and create differently. This is my learning curve. I want to meld the traditional and digital, and it is taking some consistent effort.

3. What critical discourses and theoretical concepts did you engage with this semester? What artists; theorists; movements; fields of study; cultural, social and political frameworks; or other areas of knowledge did you explore? What products (including but not limited to critical writing, essays, annotations, etc.), new connections and learning outcomes emerged from this work? How does this learning contribute to your overall creative practice?

The more I learned about the process and new technology the more questions I had. Each question lead to another revelation and the wonderful intuitive and enlightening educational journey of research and creativity continued. Within my study I tried to write about some of my exploration. For example, I wrote an article about what I call tra/digi art using traditional and digital means to create, and I interviewed those in research and wrote about their projects.

I explored so many different artists and viewed a great deal of traditional and digital art, as well as, exploring the history of the technology as it pertaining to the traditional studio. I think one of my favorites would be Robert Lazzarini. My mind can accept the artwork more readily as two-dimensional images, though it is three-dimensional. I wish I could see it in a gallery. Viewing it creates “issues of phenomenology.” It is especially intriguing to know that these works are often created in their corresponding material. A skewed wooden table is created in wood. It is not just the technology or the new technology that we need to focus on in these new works but how the artist creates them and the ingenuity of the artwork itself.

I have especially been interested in discovering the relationship of art, technology, and science. After spending some time focusing on rapid prototyping, which is printing physical objects from 3D images in the computer ,I was thrilled to find the research Sebastien Dion from Bowling Green State University and Solheim Rapid Prototyping /Rapid Manufacturing Lab at the University of Washington’s Mechanical Engineering Department. I conducted an interview with Sebastien Dion and wrote an article about the ceramic tea pot. Both Bowling Green and Solheim were able to convert the 3D printer so that it could digitally print ceramic. It is good to find others who want to push the boundaries of creativity and explore the technology as it relates to traditional art.

Then I posed a question, though I was a little hesitant to ask it, thinking others might laugh at me, “If it is all about the “mix” that is put into the rapid prototyping printer, can they utilize this process to print living organisms?” To my surprise they are doing and exploring just that. They are actually using digital printers to print bone, skin, even organs. That was fascinating. I wrote about the process exploring the different uses of rapid prototyping as it relates to this subject.

The other rather interesting element of my study was exploring how the collection of data can be used in art. Nathalie Miebach collects data on different things such as weather or tides and than lets that data dictate her weaving. Then I found the artwork of Dave Beck. His work is rather interesting. It, at first glance, looks like pieces of yarn glued on a table. It is instead digitally printed data. The data is gathered from GPS devices that he had his friends put on. The data was then printed with a rapid prototype machine. They are “data portraits” of individuals with the art titled such things as John (planting soybeans,) Bob (Mowing Arbor Mansions Lawn) or Mike (Delivering Pizzas).

Throughout my study several questions or underlying elements seem to reoccur.
1. Is 3D printed art accepted as “fine art?”
2. What barriers are there for traditional artists to overcome and use, as well as accept the new technology?

Though these questions were explored by others or touched on by many of the writers in the research that I pursued, I am presently working on creating a sort of questionnaire to further explore this information form both museums, galleries, and individual artists. I have also put together a list of those professors and universities who are conducting research and will be interviewing them or talking to them in future semesters.

This entire study not only contributes to my creative practice but is changing it, morphing, it as well as morphing my process, my concept of art, and causing me to be more observant as to where art can be found. I believe it will help me to be informed in my own field in the future. The process of creating bronze sculpture will eventually change. The technology that is occurring now will affect the lost wax method of bronze casting as the digital photography affected photography and photographers as a whole. My study not only helps me to be able to embrace those changes, but I hope to assist others in the future to understand them and embrace them as well.

4. What resources did you use this semester? Include a complete bibliography. In addition, please discuss your participation in peer-learning opportunities.

My list of resources and my bibliography is extensive.
• Attended lectures, workshops or conferences -12
• Gallery shows, museum or design exhibits 13
• Online research including journal articles, website articles, websites and blogs to further explore and facilitate my research, as well as personal interviews. 47
• Books- 13

For the creative writing section of my semester I read quite a few books that were memoir or about the spiritual journey of individuals. For the sculpture/technology I utilized a tremendous amount of online research. This type of research is important as the technology is changing and advancing at such a rate that by the time something is published in book format it is outdated. I enjoyed researching online, through journal articles, and lectures. I also had the opportunity to attend two major conferences that furthered my research and gave me connections and other resources. These conferences also gave me opportunities to learn amongst my peers and share information.

Resources and Bibliography
 of Bridgette Mongeon

CONFERENCES


SIGGRAPH Conference. 5 Aug.- 8 Aug. 2009, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. New Orleans. 2009.

3D Camp Houston. Nov. 14, 2009. Houston Technology Center. Houston. 2009.
A conference featuring a variety of speakers and demonstrations all pertaining to 3D.

LECTURES

“3D Printing for Art and Visualization”. SIGGRAPH. New Orleans Convention Center, New Orleans, L.A. 5 Aug. 2009.
In this lecture those interested in 3D digital printing met to discuss the advances of digital printing. Those in medicine expressed their thankfulness that they can print out proteins and play with them seeing how they fit together, which leads to new discoveries in medicine. Fine artists and digital artists as well as vendors shared their knowledge of digital printing and advancements in rapid prototype

“Celebrating the Special Issue of Leonardo and SIGGRAPH 2009 Art & Design Galleries”. SIGGRAPH. New Orleans Convention Center, New Orleans, L.A. 4 Aug. 2009.
Leonardo is a magazine of art papers on the digital arts and interactive techniques. Many of the artists who were in the two gallery shows at SIGGRAPH had papers that were accepted into the 2009 issues of Leonardo. The magazine honors the art, the process, and the arts’ place in society.

Clendaniel, William. "Mount Auburn Cemetery's 175th Anniversary: William Clendaniel Opens the Ceremony." Forum-Network. 24 Oct. 2009. .

A wonderful lecture about the art, history and culture of the Mount Auburn cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is one of the first large scale designed landscapes open to the public. The lecture spoke about the process of creating the cemetery, the collection of deceased, as well as the plants and the design concepts. As a lover of cemeteries and someone who tries to tour as many as possible, this one is going to be on my list of must visit cemeteries.


“Interdisciplinary Computer Graphics Education.” SIGGRAPH. New Orleans Convention Center. New Orleans, L.A. 5 Aug. 2009.
This was a lecture on the importance of having interdisciplinary study as it pertains to digital art. Though specialization is important in the creative process and in education. The disciplines of creating art, lighting, sound, math, and fine art cross over each other. This makes it a challenge for educators to offer all that is necessary to students.

Miebach, Nathalie "Weaving Science into Sculpture." Forum-Network. Web. 22 Oct. 2009. .


Though Nathalie Miebach does not necessarily use digital printing or milling as her process, I was fascinated that she weaves data. The online lecture, was long, but I learned that Miebach does the same thing that printing in 3D does. By taking data and creating it into a form, you can see things about that data as one portion relates to the other that someone might not see in numbers.

WORKSHOPS

Burns, Stephen. Introduction to Photoshop CS4 and animation. SIGGRAPH. 5, Aug. 2009.
This was a beginning workshop for those interested in learning how to use animation with Photoshop CS4. The workshop was put on at SIGGRAPH by Stephen Burns and geared to those beginning in CS4. Though I am not sure animation within Photoshop is something that I will use, I wanted to expose myself to more advance tools in Photoshop.

Gibson, Adam. Sculpting a Creative in ZBrush Part 1. Kurv Studios. 1, Aug. 2009.
Gibson, Adam. Sculpting a Creative in ZBrush Part 2. Kurv Studios. 2, Aug. 2009.
These workshop brought the attendee through an introductory tutorial of the Zbrush sculpting program. It focused on the tools, zspheres, and positioning of the model. The workshop was a great introduction for me into the competition software of Mudbox. It helped me to become more aware of the plus and minuses of each program.

Huber, Johannes. Photoshop and ZBrush. 11 Nov. HAL-PC. Houston. 2009.
A Personal demonstration of the 3D modeling tool ZBrush.

Thompson, Ian "Illustration: Sketching Concepts and Cartoons." Kurv Studios. 22 2009. 
This was a two hour workshop on sketching cartoons. As a realistic artist it is difficult for me to draw cartoons. I had hoped that participating in the workshop would assist in helping me loosen up my drawing skills.

ART AND DESIGN EXHIBITS

BioLogic: A Natural History of Digital Life. 2009. SIGGRAPH. New Orleans.
BioLogic: A Natural History of Digital Life is an exhibit that explores what happens when nature and technology are combined. This exhibit was a fantastic experience of movement sound and growth. My absolute favorite sculpture in this exhibition was Hylozoic Soil by artist and Professor of Architecture at the University of Waterloo, Philip Beesley. This large installation was alive as sensors picked up movement and cause the sculpture to wave, shake or change shape in response to the audience.

Generative Fabrication. 2009. SIGGRAPH. New Orleans.
Generative Fabrication was an exhibition of art, architecture and design that explored non-linear and biological process of design and digital fabrication. This part of the exhibition always intrigues me as the use of digital printing is often incorporated with the design or the art. Shapes that are found in nature or through algorithms are used into the design and output.

MUSEUMS


“Terra Cotta Warriors, Guardians of China’s First Emperor.” The Houston Museum of Natural Science. Houston, Texas. 1, Sept. 2009. 
This is the exhibition of terracotta warriors that were in the tomb of the first emperor of China Quin Shi Huang and discovered in 1974. I do love to see funerary art, however, I also have difficulty with items that have been removed from someone’s burial grounds. It is an incredible feat to be able to have created this massive, larger than life army. I found the work fascinating.

ART SHOWS/GALLERIES

“Arts of Ancient Viet Nam: From River Plain to Open Sea”. Museum of Fine Arts. Audrey Jones Beck Building. Houston. 12, Oct. 2009.
This is a collection of ancient Vietnamese art. Exhibition included ritual bronzes, sculptures, ornaments and burial wares.

Callan FineArt. New Orleans. 4 Aug. 2009.
This gallery was the beginning of our gallery excursions. The paintings in this gallery spanned 1830-1950 and included academic, pastoral, neo-classic, impressionist, modern, and contemporary. It whet our appetite and delighted us with the caliber of art that could be found in the New Orleans French Quarter and Gallery Area.

Casterline, Rose Thome, Soren Christene Gallery. New Orleans. 5 Aug. 2009.
Rose Casterline had many different paintings that were figurative but in a very lose style. Figurative work always catches my attention and I appreciated her deliberate but free style.

Gunning, Simon. Arthur Roger Gallery. New Orleans. 5 Aug. 2009.
Simon Gunning’s painting of the natural Louisiana habitat seemed busy with life. It was not the oils on canvas that intrigued me, but his simple pastel sketches of herons found tucked in the back room that let my eye rest and enjoy the nature on paper.

“Lake, Miranda”. Jonathan Ferrara Art Gallery. New Orleans. 5 Aug. 2009.
The show of Miranda Lake was composed of many different colleges that exhibited a dream like state or seemed to resemble children’s illustrations.

“Ludwig, Deedra”. Le Mieu Gallery. New Orleans. 5 Aug. 2009.
Dedra Ludwig’s canvases of oil resin, soil and organic pigment were mystical creations.

“Recent Accessions in Design”. Museum of Fine Arts. Caroline Wiess Law Building. Houston Oct. 12, 2009. 
International Designers feature their furniture and design collection in this show. I especially like Mathia Bengtson’s “Slice” Armchair.


“Scullly, Regina”. Heriard-Cimino Gallery. New Orleans. 5 Aug. 2009.
Once again the very busy canvases created by this artist were not something that I wanted to study, however, in the back room Jose Bedia had several pieces including Alter ego al distancia, which I found intriguing.

Windsor Fine Art Gallery. New Orleans. 5 Aug. 2009.

This gallery located in The French Quarter of New Orleans was one of our favorites. The small space contained a cornucopia of art, including Rembrandt, Toulouse Lautrec and Henri Matisse. My favorite work of art was the sculpture work of Martin Eichinger whose gallery biography states, "I am a narrative artist. The language I use is form and anatomy, but what I try to sculpt is emotion and motion." Since I am drawn to emotion in art, it is no wonder that I was attracted to his work, but above and beyond the incredible anatomy. and wonderful gestures was the patina on the bronzes that was made to resemble marble. Martin Eichinger’s patinas are something I would really like to look into. The Dance of Yes and No standing 5’ 6” performed in the window of the Windsor Gallery and was exquisite.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

WRITING



Guth, Hans Paul, and Gabriele L. Rico. Discovering Fiction. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1993.


It seems strange that as a nonfiction writer I would add “Discovering Fiction” to my bibliography. I include it because I absolutely adore Gabriele Rico and have learned so much from her. I read Rico’s books over 20 years ago and they changed my life drastically, as well as my writing. I was always intrigued with how she could introduce the writers to readers. When discovering that she had collaborated on this book I had to have it. This book is an academic book on writing fiction. Reading the words of color and texture, and being encouraged in observation are all the things I am trying to do in my present writing. Though it will take me a while to get through this large book, I believe it is important. Maybe even to study it more than once. It is a welcome addition to my bibliography.

Isaacs, Susan. Angry Conversations with God: A Snarky but Authentic Spiritual Memoir. NY: FaithWord, 2009. 


The author takes God through marriage counseling and figures out why her perspective of God is the way it is.

Kolodiejchuk, Brian. Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light- The Private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta. New York: Random House, 2007.


Mother Teresa’s writings are deeply personal. They have reflections of the yearning and love that I have found in my own mothers writings, along with the suffering.

Lamott, Anne. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. 1st Anchor Books ed. New York: Anchor Books, 1995. 


This is unlike the other books in my bibliography by Ann Lamott. This book contains her thoughts about her creative process and the process of writing. She gives some great insight into developing characters, plot, etc., and she shares the tidbits of knowledge that she has gleaned from others. 

Lamott, Anne. Plan B : Further Thoughts on Faith. New York: Riverhead Books, 2005.
This book is a continuation of Traveling Mercies. Lamott’s books coincidentally were not just books about a faith journey, but about the relationship between she and her parents. How they contributed to the creation of who she is, how she relished in it and despised it. The words that she massaged onto the page caused me to take pause. How would I describe my family, I wondered how could I describe my mother or such and such place?

Lamott, Anne. Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith. 1st ed. New York: Pantheon Books, 1999. 


I enjoyed reading about Lamott’s journey of faith. Listening to her words helped me paint my own pictures and string my own words together. This book encouraged me to see the texture, taste, and sound of life and to reproduce it on the paper.

Lawrence, of the Resurrection, Brother, and Inc. NetLibrary. The Practice of the Presence of God the Best Rule of a Holy Life: Being Conversations and Letters of Brother Lawrence. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Christian Classics Ethereal Library; Boulder, Colo. : NetLibrary. 1990s.


This book was Added to my bibliography because it was considered by one reviewer as a must read for those who were looking for books on faith journey’s. Brother Lawrence is actually a cook in a monastery in the 1600’s. While there he learned and taught the practice of the presence of God. At first I thought the book was not going to apply to my study or my writing, but I began to see an image of those things I was writing about—my faith, my mother’s pain and death and I was glad that it was a part of my study.

Miller, Donald. Blue Like Jazz : Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality. Nashville: T. Nelson, 2003.


Don Miller does an excellent job of being real and not sugar coating Christianity. His writing is like Anne Lamotte’s; a sort of “tell it like it is.” For example, Miller commenting that he spent time living in the woods with hippies and would prefer it to the pretentiousness of those found in church is a bold thing to say. I only hope that I can be that honest with my faith and writing. It was an excellent book, yes, written like Lamotte, which is what the author strived for but in his own voice and quite a lot less whiney.

Young, William P. The Shack. Windblown Media, 2008.
This is another book that I picked to read, because we were supposed to interview the author. However, The Shack began my reading of books that described a faith journey. I believe this will be a classic one-day, as Eugene Peterson, Professor of Spiritual Theology, Regent College Vancouver, BC, puts it, “This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his. It’s that good!” The book caused me to consider Young’s description of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and encourage me to create my separate from the “formal” viewpoint of Christianity. 

SCULPTURE & TECHNOLOGY

"AICT 3D Printer- Project Sampler." Academic ICT. 09 04 2008. University of Alberta, Web. 26 Oct 2009. .


This website discusses various technology that utilizes 3d printing including space physics simulations molecular models, data from Medical Imagers( Cat scans, MRIs) Fossils, Biomedical Engineering, Rehabilitation Engineering. Archaeological Reconstructions, historical Preservation, art, Mining engineering and set design.

Baker, Steve. “The History of the Teapot”. Wikiid. 12 Aug 2009. SJ Baker. 10 Sept. 2009. .
This website had information about the teapot as well as the data set and photographs used in creating the Newell Teapot. It documents the history of this icon.

Balistreri, John. “Ceramic Arts”. 2008. 10 Sept. 2009. .
This is the website of the professor at Bowling Green who worked with Sebastien Dion on the 3D ceramic printer. Unfortunately the site is disappointing concerning information on the topic. It appears that digital work is not the focus of this artist.

Bartolo, P.J.S. , H. Almeida, and T. Laoui. Int. Journal Computer Applications in Technology, 2009, 36, 1-9. “Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing for Tissue Engineering Scaffolds”. Sept. 2009. .
Teams in Portugal and the UK are using rapid prototyping to develop scaffolding where live tissue and organs can be grown. This new technology could actually assist in creating “natural artificial organs.”

Benjamin, Walter. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. The Art History Archive-Modern Art. 1935.
Interestingly enough many of the contemporary articles on digital art, rapid prototyping and technology in the studio referred to this article. It was not an easy article to read, and in fact I had to read it three times. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction reflects on the change of art as compared to its output and “mass production”, from lithography to film. Brown attests that in true art, the “original” can be tested and proven to be the original, which is impossible to do on a reproduction. Brown discusses work originally made for two purposes, “cult value” and “exhibition value” and also that the “aura” of a work withers in reproductions. Perhaps this article is used in conjunction with digital technology and rapid prototyping in that this new technology puts manufacturing, whether in limited editions or mass production, into the hands of the creator. This article poses a philosophical discussion as we compare rapid prototyping and the old ways of reproducing and the “value” set upon the work.


Brayman, Andy. Ceramic Arts Daily. “The New Factory”. 1 Feb. 2009.
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This web site introduces ceramic 3d digital printing and refers to Shapeways. It is good to see that industry consumer magazines are now reporting on this new technology. It also tries to break the thought pattern of “manufactured” and the negative idea of advancements in technology as it pertains to a craft.

“Brown, Keith”. International Sculpture Center. Sept. 2009. .
Here is a bio and information on a man that is doing what I am attempting to do—research and establishing a presence of the joining of sculpture and technology. He “is establishing a Research Unit for Sculpture and Technology to include Rapid Prototyping facilities within the Department of Fine Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University.” He is also the founder of FasT-uk (Fine Art Sculptors & Technology in the UK)

Camber, Rebecca. "Tailor-made skin from 'ink' printer." Manchester Online 19 January 2005: Web. 26 Oct 2009. .


Scientists at Manchester University develop a printer to produce human skin.

Christensen, Bill. "3D Bone Printer Uses Your Cells." Technovelgy.com. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. .


This article describes how Christian Weinand of the Insel Hospital in Berne, Switzerland has developed a 3D printer for human bones.

Damian, Joseph. “3d Printing... As Art” BusinessWeek 15 May. 17 Nov. 2009. http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/next/archives/2009/05/3d_printing_as.html.
This blog post talks about the Esther M. Klein Art Gallery in Philadelphia and the “FAB Show” Featuring the work of artists, designers, mathematicians utilizing 3d digital printing/rapid prototyping.

“Design and the Elastic Mind: Introduction.” Museum of Modern Art. 10 Nov. 2009. http://www.moma.org/explore/multimedia/videos/12/123 .
In this short video Curator Paola Antonelli introduces the Design and innovation those involved in “Design and the Elastic Mind” are taking science and technology and incorporating them into art in many different size, not physical sizes but informational sizes. from nano particles, biological molecular particles, human scale and even up to the universe. Antonelli explains that we have to “stretch our minds every day to cope with so many different changes in pace rhythm in scale in time zones in resolution of screen you name it in our relationship with groups of peoples and individuals and really highlight how design helps us cope with all of these different changes.”

“Design and the Elastic Mind: Nanodesign.” Museum of Modern Art. 10 Nov. 2009. http://www.moma.org/explore/multimedia/videos/12/124 .
In this short video Curator Paola Antonelli discusses features several of the pieces of art within the show, such as scientist who does origami on strands of DNA. By making familiar perceptions of scientific data. The entire show entices an artist to think differently to collaborate with those things outside of the familiar.



“Design and the Elastic Mind:Organic Design.” Museum of Modern Art. 10 Nov. 2009. http://www.moma.org/explore/multimedia/videos/12/125 .
In this short video Curator Paola Antonelli discusses features several of the pieces of art within the show as it pertains to nature. How nature can work with design and help us to understand engineering and design such a a vase created by Bees, Once again exploring bioengineering and art or fascinating algorithms of nature translated into art.


“Design and the Elastic mind: 3d-Sketch.” Museum of Modern Art. 10 Nov. 2009.
http://www.moma.org/explore/multimedia/videos/12/126.
In this short video Curator Paola Antonelli discusses the importance of 3d rapid prototype printing. She states, “The most interesting and most important technological innovations in the field of design and the field of manufacturing is 3d printing.”

“Design and the Elastic mind: visualization.” Museum of Modern Art. 10 Nov. 2009.
http://www.moma.org/explore/multimedia/videos/12.
In this short video curator Paola Antonelli talks about how design in large scale, as far as the complexity of information. For example, taking information and making it visual helps to bring the artists point home. Though many of these items in this portion of the show are not 3D physical object they are based on technology information. Some are even virtual exhibits. Antonelli states, Designers are “the interpreter of complexity.”

Dion, Sebastien. Personal Interview. 17 Sept. 2009.
An interview with Dion Sebastien was done over skype. We discussed the technology of 3D printing in ceramics, his professor and what he thinks will happen in the future.

Dion, Sebastien. “Sebastien Dion”. 10 Sept. 2009. .
Dion has a few papers and several photographs that I used in creating my article on the teapot and 3D printing. It was an informative site and helped to back up the discussion we had in the personal interview.

Fifield, George. “Printing in 3D: Digital Sculpture.” Sculpture Magazine. May/june 1998 Vol. 17. No. 5. 10 Nov. 2009. http://www.sculpture.org/documents/scmag98/3dprnt/sm-3prnt.shtml.
it seems that sculpture org had a surge of articles on the what was very new processes of using digital scanning and also printing. This article discusses the different uses as well as the process of using Z corporation machine.

Ganis, W. V. “Digital Sculpture :Ars Ex Machina:” International Sculpture Center Sculpture. 23.8 2004: 28-33.
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Though written in 2004, this article describes the introduction to Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling and Rapid Prototype printing (RP) as it is used in fine art. The article lists several artists that I would like to research further including Robert Lazarini. The article also mentions both Universities that are already bridging the gap between the traditional studio and the new technology as well as exhibitions that are specifically created for RP and CNC.

Ganter, Mark, Duane Sorti, and Ben Utela. Ceramic Arts Daily. “The Printed Pot”. Feb. 1, 2009. .
The Solheim Rapid Manufacturing laboratory in the University of Washington in Seattle was also working on the 3D digital printer for ceramics. This is a very informative article. It not only discusses their process but also the ease of use and the low cost of this material as compared to the typical material provided by the 3D printer. It also posts their recipe right on the website. These people are to be watched and interviewed at a later date.

Grenda, Ed. “Printing The Future”. 3rd. Castle Island Co., 2009.

Print.
This is an in-depth book about digital printing and manufacturing. It will not only help me to clarify my study but will give me leads on further research.


Gibson, Todd. “Discussion with Robert Lazarini.” 28 Oct. 2004.
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This article/interview is of an incredibly creative artist, Robert Lazarini. Lazarini is noted for his 3D artwork that is distorted. The process of creation is described within the article beginning with distorting the image in Photoshop and then bringing it into a CAD system so that it can be fabricated in different materials. The artwork creates a sort of “vertigo, ” a “special paradox” in the viewer and is described as having “issues of phenomenology.” Lazarini was one of the first to begin using digital means to create fine art. I was excited to learn about Compwood, a wood that can be bent and is used in Lanzini’s piece, Table, Notebook and Pencil. Compwood is something that I hope to experiment with.

Lavigne, Christian. “Digital Sculpture”. International Sculpture Center May/June 1998. 23 Nov. http://www.sculpture.org/documents/webspec/magazine/wsenglis.shtml.
This article focuses on the works of many different artists. The article was originally published in a french magazine “ computer Arts 1998. IT is translated by Marie Paule Jiccio and Robert Michael Smith. originally title La Sculpture Numerque. Though the article is old in comparison to the newer technology it is a good resource of artists who started using technology years ago, and how they applied it to their work. It has been a great place to launch on search for the works and also the research of many artists with the same interests and passion as myself.

Mellon’s, Carnegie. The Robotics Institute. “The Shape Deposition Manufacturing Process”. Sept. 2009. .
This article expands and explains the Shape Deposition Manufacturing process as it is compared to Solid Freeform Fabrication ( SFF) and Computer numerically controlled ( CNC) milling.

Mironov, V, T Boland, T Trusk, G Forgacs, and RR Markwald. "Organ Printing: Computer-aided Jet-based 3D Tissue Engineering.." Trends Biotechnol (2003): 157-61. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. .


A journal article about the printing of organs from the department of Cell biology and anatomy, medical university of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.

.MGX by Materialise. Materialise MGX. 2006.
Materialise is a worldwide leader in rapid prototyping in which they combine art and technology in stereolithography, selective laser sintering and fused deposition modeling. This book features many different artists. Individuals working in product or furniture design, lighting, and fine art created not solely as art, but often use technology and algorithms to form design. Much of the design that is created are things that could not be manufactured until the process of rapid prototyping and computer or algorithmic art came into being. I was glad to find this book at SIGGRAPH as there are very few books printed on the subject of taking digital art out of the computer and into physical form.

Moffat, Charles Alexander. “The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction”. Version Art History Archive. 2.0 Feb. 2005.



Though I thought this article could contain further information on digital art; it instead focused on the change of exhibition of art from traditional gallery to online marketing, and was really not relevant to my research.

"Next World Superhuman." Organ Printing. 26 Oct. 2009. .


An incredible video from the Discovery Channel featuring researcher Dr. Gabor Fargacs and his work with a bio printer. Fargacs prints out living cell clusters drop by drop that fuse together to create tissue structures.

"Organ Printing." 2007. University of Missouri, Web. 26 Oct 2009. .


A comprehensive website on the 3D printing of Organs. The cite is put together by the University of Missouri and features projects, news and education on the subject of 3D printing of organs.

Paul, Christiane. International Sculpture Center. “Fluid Borders: The Aesthetic Evolution of Digital Sculpture—A Trojan Horse?”. Sept. 2009. .
This is a multi-part article that has a tremendous amount of information. The introduction to artists who have been working in digital technology and teaching digital technology as it relates to the fine art studio has been very helpful, especially when these artists have been doing this since 1999! The artists listed; Robert Michael Smith, Keith Brown, Michael Rees, Derrick Woodham, Dan Collins, Christian Lavigne. The article introduces the concept of digital production. Two areas are discussed. Digital art that is created in a physical form with the use of CAD/CAM CNC Milling rapid prototyping, as compared to the work that exists only in cyberspace as in virtual reality or 3D animation. The article focuses on the acceptance of digital art as compared to traditional art and its merit in the art community. Keith Brown says, “art should, in any case, transcend the medium.” He also states, “Technique always has been and probably always will be confused with art.” It must be decided, is the “wow” factor because of the technology or is it the art? This is something that I will have to evaluate further in my own study and creations. It is only now as I begin to see what others are creating that I can allow myself to formulate creations that I must crate. The question is how? How can I combine the technologies I am learning to create what I want to create? As I discover the new technology and the possibilities, I can only guess what it will do for my future artwork.

Paul, Christiane. International Sculpture Center. “Fluid Borders: The Aesthetic Evolution of Digital Sculpture—Status and Value?”. Sept. 2009. .
This article asks, “What is the status and value of a digital creation in the fine art world.” The writer reports that it should have a status and value comparable to traditional forms of sculpture, but Lavigne states that sculpture and creation is part of an evolution. The author states that digital art “entails radically new elements that require a reconsideration of previous values.” At the writing of this article (not listed, but it is inferred that it is before 1999), it is reported that the status and value of art in the traditional sculpture community is low and depends on “the education of critics, curators, and connoisseurs, and collectors.” It is speculated that the “resistance and suspicion” of the art world is in reaction to the “infinite reproduction of digital work” which brings up the problem—what is the original and what is the copy? A question that many seem stuck on. It is reported that the majority of the art market is “hostile… partly due to ignorance.” Woodham points out that the educational system in the Unite States is accelerating digital sculpture production, which leads to proliferation, accessibility, and acceptance.

Paul, Christiane. International Sculpture Center. “Fluid Borders: The Aesthetic Evolution of Digital Sculpture—New Dimensions?”. Sept. 2009. .
This article first explores the concept that some digital sculpture exists only in a cyber environment and “defy natural laws.” This changes the traditional notions of what sculpture is. Yet many artists strive to bridge the gap, just as I am, between the digital and physical world. Size also becomes nonexistent in some cases, because “nano scale or even cosmic macro structures,” now can be realized and seen with the eye.

Paul, Christiane. International Sculpture Center. “Fluid Borders: The Aesthetic Evolution of Digital Sculpture—Crossing Disciplines”. Sept. 2009. .
With the incorporation of technology into art, this article discusses a crossing of disciplines. Art mingles with science, medicine, archaeology, etc. We can pull on the information that is known but not yet seen such as a cell or a mathematical equation, and we create “outside of our experiences.”

Paul, Christiane. International Sculpture Center. “Fluid Borders: The Aesthetic Evolution of Digital Sculpture—Developments, Access and Availability”. Sept. 2009. .
This article definitely depicts its age, though many of the thoughts are still very timely. It reinforces what my research is showing in that technology is affording artists the opportunity to realize art that up until this point could never be created traditionally. This in turn “Gives rise to new possibilities of thinking.” The availability of the tools and the amount of people that use them has changed drastically since this article was first published in the 90’s. Robert Michael Smith talks about alpha testing a new computer program that allows you to sculpt in the computer. This was most likely Z brush put out in 2002. As technology advances and users increase, the cost of printing and affording this technology will go down. The article talked about a 3d Kinko’s, which I have said for a few years should be a possibility and begins to take place with the new Shapeways Service Bureau. Artists, by their use, have some affect on the technology as it is created and developed. Of course, I must add to this that the advance of hardware, such as computers that have the power and graphics cards that can crunch the output are as important as the software. This too is advancing with demand.

Paul, Christiane. International Sculpture Center. “Fluid Borders: The Aesthetic Evolution of Digital sSculpture—Telemanufacturing and Networked Sculpture”. Sept. 2009. .
“Telemanufacturing” is something that is an opportunity with digital art. One no longer has to depend on the manufacture, shipping, customs, inventory, maintenance, of creating art. You simply send a file to a place that can digitally print the art. This is discussed in this article, however, one thing it fails to mention is that when using any end of the line vendor, whether it be a bronze foundry or a digital printer, one must be able to depend on the quality of the vendor at the end of the line. If an artist cannot “see” the output of the artwork, how can they be assured it was as they created it?


Peels, Joris. International Sculpture Center. “Shapeways Community Member Interviews: Bathsheba Grossman. 30, June 2009.” <>.
Shapeways is leading the digital community in creating an affordable output solution for rapid prototyping. In 2009 they added printing in metal. I interviewed Bathsheba Grossman and found her mathematical algorithmic sculptures fascinating. Being a part of the digital community for a long time, she has her hands on the pulse of new technology. She is definitely someone to watch and keep in contact with.

Portal. “Martin Newell’s Original Teapot”. ACM SIGGRAPH 2006. 10 Sept. 2009.
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A further look into the icon of the Newell teapot and its importance in computer graphics.

Siggraph 2006. “From Digital to Analogue, or the Rebirth of a Teapot”. 10 Sept. 2009.
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Siggraph 2006 focuses on Sebastien Dion and Bowling Green University’s work with 3D printing in ceramics.

Slamin, John. "A Knee Implant Just For You ." Medical Design. 1 11 208. Engineering ConforMIS , Web. 26 Oct 2009. .

With a CT scan a customized knee implant can be printed using 3D processes.

Smith, Robert Michael. “Sculpture, 3-D Digital Art, Web Design and Broadcast.” International Sculpture Center. Sept. 2009.
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This article is an introduction to Robert Michael Smith, the artist and his work. The work is often found in conjunction with articles about digital reproduction.

University of Washington. “3-D Printing Hits Rock-bottom Prices With Homemade Ceramics Mix”. ScienceDaily 10 April 2009. 19 September 2009 . This article focuses on Mark Ganter and his work at the University of Washington. Washington however boasts of creating their own homemade 3D printer as well as state of the art machines.

Vitols, Marisa. "3D Organ Printing Break-Through." Future Blogger. 23 03 2008. Web. 26 Oct 2009. .


More information about Gabor Forgacs work at the university of Missouri in Columbia concerning the printing of organs. It discusses the success of printing a cardiac and endothelial cells fused into tissue after 70 hours and actually began beating like a natural heart in 90 hours. Perhaps in the future we will have our organs digitally printed within our body during surgery.

Wang, Carol Y. “Rapid Manufacturing.” Pro Quest. Sept. 2002. Sept. 2009. .


This is a wonderful and very informative article on the process and types of digital printing. It had many links and I spent hours following all of them. It was an excellent addition to this bibliography.

Wholers, Terry. “Rapid Tech: Industry’s Best kept Secret.” Time Compression. Sept/October 2009. .
I first learned about the National Center for Rapid Technologies through one of my contacts who told me about a program developed at Saddleback College by a grant from the National Science Foundation. The purpose is to support programs that work with teaching additive manufacturing (AM) or rapid prototyping. It is noted that this program develops financial support for the institution as it provides manufacturing and prototype projects for industry. I was interested in finding this article as I have passed it on to my own local community colleges. It is also encouraging to see that the area of technology that is bridging the gap of the fine arts has multiple uses, which I believe, in turn, makes sculptors with this knowledge more valuable commodities.

Wholers, Terry. “A Low-volume Production Site: Coming to a Garage Near You.” Time Compression. July/Aug 2009. .
Keeping his hand on the pulse of Additive Manufacturing, Wohlers expounds on the excitement of “Service Bureaus” beginning with the Rapid prototyping process. Focusing once again on Shapeways, the first service bureau of this sort offers affordable reproduction of computer-aided design. I don’t know how or have the software to do so. They have software on their storefront. They work with fused deposition modeling, laser sintering, and poly jet.


Wholers, Terry. “What Do You Call It?” Time Compression. May/June 2009. .
What do you call it? This is a question that I have asked myself. In my own research on rapid prototyping or additive manufacturing, there are so many terms it leaves me wondering, “are these parts of the same process or different names for the same process?” When polled there were 20 different terms from 114 countries. The term that is most popular is 3D printing. With new technology comes new committees and organizations to assist with “standards” for the technology. Enter the “ASTM Standards Committee F42 on Additive Manufacturing Technologies which was formed in January 2009.” Enter also Roadmap for Additive Manufacturing (RAM) workshop held in March 2009 in Washington DC. They are working in conjunction with the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research as sponsors. They hope to create a “roadmap” concerning additive manufacturing for the next 10-12 years.

You Tube. “Z Corp. ZPrinter 450 Introduction.” .
A You Tube video that shows the process of a Z Corp printer in action. Seeing is far better than trying to explain this process in words.

5. If you engaged in a Practicum this semester describe it briefly (where, when, what, who) and summarize your central learning outcomes and insights from this project. Address how the project may have expanded the contexts, sites and/or audiences for your creative practice. If the practicum will be continuing or there is more work to complete for it, please indicate. (Please be reminded that you will also write a full Practicum Report for your final Portfolio.)

Does not apply

6. How do you see yourself progressing towards fulfillment of the degree criteria, which includes building a fully developed and documented personal practice, an ability to articulate the contexts for your work, an understanding of the nature of art and an understanding of interdisciplinarity? Please describe which areas you still need to address and how you intend to do this in coming semesters.

My study of writing and bridging the gap between traditional studio practices and digital technology is in its very nature interdisciplinary. The research and incorporation of utilizing science and technology, watching the technology float from sculpture to architecture to design makes it even more so.

Though the research and the practice of using these tools that I am discovering as well as knowing and becoming known by those who are also doing similar research is just beginning. I feel that the direction and the process of my study is inline with the degree criteria that is specified by Goddard College.

Even though I have researched the areas of the psychological aspects and barriers of artists beginning to use digital technology, I would like to write an article on this subject. I would also like to write an article about the galleries that accept digital art as fine art and why they do or those that reject it and why.

My exploration and understanding of the process of digital milling and printing are just beginning. I would like to be able to not only explore them in depth, along with the universities that are doing research on this and the art that is being created through these processes, but next semester I would like to document some of this information in technical writing. I see the up and coming semester seeped in research and technical writing and hope that I can soon pull these tools into my own practice in up and coming semesters taking the tools and technology and exploring them more deeply in my own art.