Alison Lonsdale BA (Hons) - Professional Practice, Arts & Creative Industries Blog

My background is mainly based around dance which in itself is a creative art form. Having the additional expression of ideas through an artefact gives you the opportunity to share and communicate a journey in ways that words would not. When I was in module 1 and beginning the process of creating an artefact, I didn't quite get why I was doing it and also for what purpose. It kind of felt like I was in high school art class again. But the more I developed my artefact, the more I could express and realised that this is what I have always done...expressed without words.  I believe the Artefact should relate to you; your past, present and predicted/desired future. This is your journey! An artefact doesn't have to mean anything to anyone else, but can mean the world to you. For any module 1 students struggling, my advice is trust yourself. There is no right or wrong answer, this is personal and an opportunity for you to deliver a message. Think clearly about where the meaning is com...

 It was really nice to hear everyone talking about their topics of inquiry and to see how the stages of analysis have taken suit. There was a really interesting mix of responses as some people are struggling to define themes and narrow down the amount of emerging themes, and some have clear themes that have formed. I am the latter and think that the themes have naturally emerged and seemed to respond to the needs of the research. But after the Skype call, I have now turn to question why these themes stuck out for me, as this is qualitative research there is an interpretational stance on the data analysed.  The Skype sessions really help me to realise the assumptions that I hold as people share experiences and give opinions on the topics we discuss. Some of the topics that I noted throughout the Skype were: - Remembering that everyones responses come with experiential backing or with pre-formed opinions, and in order to hear what they are trying to say it is essential to listen...

 One thing that I have experienced as a dancer my whole life is feedback. Whether it is positive, negative or constructive, it is a daily occurrence. I wish I would have discovered the art of questioning a lot earlier in this course and also in my career. We take feedback at face value and exactly what it says, and try and change what is being critiqued, but what if we reflected and question the feedback we receive to extend the ideas we have. To question is extending, not refusing.  On the journey of this BAPP course, I have come round to ideas on the feedback I have received. I am going to be honest and say that I used to get very frustrated that my work wasn't 'marked' as such and that my work came back with feedback instead. I felt like I need more to push through the course and got upset at points, I have said 'what on earth am I doing' too many times to count and had a few melt downs. Now coming to the end of module 3, I openly receive the feedback and I can e...

Knowing that a second lockdown was coming, I was preparing to have spare time to concentrate on Module 3. However, and this is a big however, this has not really been the case at all. School is crazier than ever with extended hours for cleaning and planning, dance lessons are back online for the foreseeable and when I do eventually have time, I want that time just for me. I think with a lot going on at the moment, it is important to remember to just have a bit of time to relax. I have found module 3 a little easier than previous modules to get into a writing rhythm and regular study plan. I feel this is because it is such a personal project of my making that I have found it interesting to develop. I know how to take the research forward and where to follow it, whereas in module 2 I always had a little unsettling feeling of I didn't know what I was doing. I could also question whether I feel comfortable or have become accustom with the feeling of unknown and I can look past the worr...