PCP A1 feedback
Professional Creative Practice
Assignment 1
Industry standard proposal draft
Grade: 77% (DI)
Feedback: Martina Copely
Zo’s proposal for NoteWorthy, a 2022 State Library Fellowship - Tate Adams Memorial Residency at Baldessin Press & Studio Fellowship is a well-timed and appropriate industry-based opportunity. The proposal is considered, well written and addresses criteria in the requisite formats.
When you are drafting support letters, write the characteristics into the draft that selectors will be looking for. E.g. Working with a collection. Having already undertaken residencies/created artist books/previous industry experience related to this project. You need each letter to have a different focus and tick all the boxes. Also do not leave specific examples for the referee to research. You should offer these. I am interested to know who you will ask for a reference as this is strategic. Great personal reference from David Anderson. I suggest rewriting the first section as it is very unclear just what the project idea actually is. Cut out unnecessary wordage. Ask a no arts person to read it and make sense of it.
One idea at a time.
For example: “NoteWorthy” depicts creative hubs impacted by Covid-19, using film and cameraless photography to chart the endurance of live music culture in the absence of collective gatherings. The project investigates a series of live music culture events in Melbourne spanning more than 40 years, such as venue closures due to government legislation, the pandemic and the gentrification of cultural hubs to contemplate how live music culture has prevailed.
So you are working into your own archive – bringing it together with information from the Library to create something… I do have a question, how will you document live music performance during lockdown?
New work. See submitted material.
Does this shift to the digital realm? Why is it important to work with film and cameraless modes, then shift to photogravure? It seems to me that you are stepping off from a previous project DAMAGE Report, which is held in the library collection to extend this project to address longevity of the industry.
No. The resource material is to guide.
It is important to differentiate this project aim from the previous project already completed.
This has been addressed. See submitted material.
What is new here? Second main idea – use of collection and studio resources. Consolidate this further as it key selection criteria. EG. Ongoing access to the State Library Victoria archives and resources (including The Damage Report name other archival sections of relevance…. is central to the project. The facilities and resources at Baldessin Press will allow me to reimagine the image-based archive as a photogravure limited edition or unique state artist's book.
Also addressed.
Third main idea about you – image and music.
This is fine but it is mostly a CV summary of highlights and is repeated below, so rewrite.
I want to know why you want to do this project, how this project and research will impact your practice, how you will bring your experience to bear on the collection and make something of relevance. Motivation for applying.
Addressed.
Say why it is important to shift original documentation making use of the facilities at Baldessin Studio and expertise. What do you want to learn, experiment with? and why?
No word limit, so go for it. Get specific.
Benefits, I imagine also extend to the live music community of creative and audiences. Working with an archive and bringing it into a new context can be an opportunity to highlight aspects of a community endeavour that often go unnoticed such as resilience, collaboration and the ongoing, often unsupported work that allows for continuity.
Addressed in summary.
I may be wrong here but you see what is required, some further thinking.
Are you reworking the collection or simply requiring access to the collection? Public outcomes are important. To be added.
Addressed in the what and how.
I want to know more about the book/box set??? Describe it in detail. How is it different to previous projects of yours by other people? Is there a launch, distributor, connection to live music community?
Rework gallery. Include a short paragraph about the series.
The visual support material functions well but needs to be organized and refined. It is accessible and follows the required format.
The application is professional and responds to key criteria.
The link to CV online does not work, but I have the pdf and it is clear and strong.
PCP class notes 210909
Had a great talk with Martina after class today.
Website
Martina has also advised that we will be discussing this assignment in our next class. I will resubmit it after that. It would be great to talk it out beforehand.
Break down the assignment brief and briefly talk to each point.
Student site: Discuss the choice of template and workarounds to customise the site. Also, include that chosen template was released in 2012 and the template has not changed and required customisation.
Introduction and overview — what it was, what needed to change and why
Design
Aesthetic
Target audience
Community of practice
Editing
Writing style and standardisation (captions and blogs)
Images
Blog posts
URL remapping
SEO
Student site
Choosing a template and constraints
Coding
Talk to student website redesign and image display
Include workarounds such as writing custom CSS to resolve immediate issues
Professional proposal
Write the assignment based on my submissions to SLV Fellowships programs and Forty-Five Downstairs call out.
Include response to Assignment 1 feedback addressing how the feedback would inform my applications for future opportunities.
Keywords
Professional Creative Practice, PCP, Semester 4, Assignments, Feedback, Website, Proposal
PCP Week 2
Professional Creative Practice Week 2
Thursday 29 July 2021
Class notes
On Kossak Painting
Photography is often presumed "digital" and or representational over and above the idea of developing a relationship with a "medium" resonates strongly for me. The conversation leads me to think of photographic artists including Mariah Robertson, Justine Varga, Danica Chappell.
Thinking is in the doing.
One to one relationship with medium and practice.
Understanding yourself, your work, what images mean in the world.
Talking about art with artists.
Talking about art with people that are not artists.
Let life get into the work.
What is the artist responsibility with content and subject matter?
Find a way to inhabit and express moments.
To instigate and express.
Having something to do.
Make something every day.
Artists statement
An artists statement represents a basic introduction to your art. A good artists statement ensures greater understanding and appreciation in working towards informing as many people as possible about the artist and their practice or project. Be brief and specific. Aim for two to three paragraphs or approximately 150 words. Appeal to and involve viewers with what you are doing. Know your target audience. What is in it for them? Provide a connection, a reason to engage and care.
Written in plain English (without colloquialisms), an artists statement is not an academic paper and should be easily understood by experts and laymen alike.
Be personal and conversational. Inform what the art is about (signifies, intention of communication, inspiration). Explain why you make art, what inspires you, what your work signifies or represents, how you make it, what it is made out of and what it means to you. (NAVA)
CV
I am rewriting my CV, bio and artist statement as per the course recommendation, utilising the NAVA template “Writing an artist CV” (Cameron-Smith 2014).
The template is very useful, outlining the appropriate structure, citations, and general information required to create a concise and informative CV.
I have completed the Solo exhibitions, Group exhibitions, Collections, Awards and Residencies sections and am currently working on the bio. This includes referencing articles and media coverage. I am also adding curatorial roles to the CV.
CV draft. Zo Gay, 2021.
Bibliography
Cameron-Smith, Joan. 2014. "Writing An Artist CV". NAVA. Accessed July 22, 2021. https://visualarts.net.au/guides/2014/writing-artist-cv/.
NAVA. n.d. Q AND A HOW DO I WRITE AN ARTIST’S STATEMENT? WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?. PDF. NAVA.