This project is self-directed for you to choose a micro-course from the Skills Hub, expanding on your practical skills relative to the themes and context with which you are engaged.
Begin by reflecting on your learning so far, the areas of your practice you would like to build upon, the skills that will best contribute to your previous skills learning and the development of your exploration of your ‘perspective’.
Perhaps there is value in learning about different tools, processes and materials that you are accustomed to, or perhaps you want to advance existing skills with more rigour. Keep in mind your creative research document and what creative skills may complement your contextual investigation.
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Exercise 1: Skills HubReview and amend your Personal Framework document and remind yourself of all the micro-courses available to you within the Skills Hub. Select new skills that will broaden your creative methods and expand aspects of your practice. Spend time thinking about how you will apply your skills learning as part of developing your creative practice and personal creative voice. This is the midpoint of the course unit, where you will be increasingly independent and self-directed in the exercises you need to undertake. If you have concerns or are unsure about choices at this stage please contact your tutor to discuss or use the unit Forum to raise a question. Once you have completed your selected micro-course, return here to continue with Exercise 2.
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Learning Reflection
I believe what practice has taught me so far is to find new ways to express myself. I have discovered that I love telling stories; stories that reflect on myself or the environment I live and work. All the skill hubs have given me options and opportunities to research new ideas to be able to work onto my narrative. The last one that I really enjoy working on is use photography and text, a sort of photo-storytelling style that is very close to what I would like to work on at the moment as it gives me freedom to express my thoughts as well as ideas to work on.
Poetry has always been my favourite form of expression. So a first task, I wrote a poem that is very personal but it can make people connect with it as it reflects on focussing on your goals and forget the temptations of their lives.
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THE LAND OF LOTUS EATERS.
And so I found myself in the land of lotus eaters.
With the great buildings full of flashing images.
With voluptuous aromas and wonderful smells.
It’s hard not to be smitten by the land of the people who eat lotuses,
And they grow taller day by day.
Until their feet will be so long that they will step on the clouds.
But as much as I am impressed every day, more and more,
Seduced by voluptuous aromas and wonderful smells
I have to keep on walking fast.
Looking away
not to touch the luscious lotuses.
Lest I forget.
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Reflection
Impressed by my recent visit and (still) stay in China, the food, the culture, the people, I wrote a poem about myself and my purpose of living here.
One of the fruits that is eaten quite a lot in China is the lotus fruit. When I saw the these fruits in grocery stores and supermarkets, my mind went to the Land Of Lotus Eaters from Odyssey.As the myth said, eating them was the equal to eternal oblivion.
As I mention in the poem, I enjoy the benefits of living in a country that respects foreigners and treats them well offering a nice lifestyle. Because it is easy to lose myself in the comfort and the peace of mind that this place offers to me, I need to focus on the things that will make me grow and evolve; and above all, stay on my path that brought me here.
Reflecting on the brief, I see what works for me is a moment of inspiration, a creative lava that takes me in a melancholic mood that brews inside me to come as a creative moment. Skills can become tools to express this creativity but until now I cannot see a skill being an inspirational lever to give me that extra energy and motivation to create something meaningful to me.
I looked thoroughly into the photography skills and I will use them on my next exercise where I will tell a story using photos taken on my walks around my neighbourhood in Dongguan.
REFERENCE
Blumberg, Naomi. “Odyssey”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Odyssey-epic-by-Homer. Accessed 29 October 2024.
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