From the archives: Learning Agreement

Before posting my Research Proposal, I thought I'd post the Learning Agreement and outline of research interests that J.M. asked us to submit to him before our first critical studies tutorial. Might as well let it all hang out, eh? I post these as is, without comment from the over-active peanut gallery in my head.

Aims (outline the purpose, scope, visions and ambition of your plan of work)

Research
1. Conduct a brief historical survey of avant garde performance

2. Select and begin analysis of 3-4 contemporary performance groups who work across disciplines, and who use improvisation to devise performances and/or incorporate improvisation into the final piece

3. Review the practices of a range of solo artists/performers who incorporate multiple disciplines into their work.

Practice
1. Explore an interdisciplinary solo performance practice

2. Begin to conduct improvisation-based workshops with artists from different backgrounds


2 Objectives (The expected objectives leading towards the learning outcomes of the unit)

Research
1. The historical survey will allow me to more clearly explain the lineage that my work is part of. I also hope to learn more specifics about techniques used throughout avant garde performance to give me a solid framework upon which to build new exercises that will translate well into a contemporary interdisciplinary performance.

2. Case studies of contemporary groups will give me some models currently in practice to help situate myself within contemporary practice, either aligning with or reacting against trends that come up. Focussing on a few groups instead of doing an overview survey will also give me insight into how companies present their work to the outside world and how it is critiqued.

3. Looking at solo performers will give me inspiration for exploring a solo performance practice that draws on my training in several disciplines, and ideas for engaging the audience when there is only one person to focus on.

Practice
1. Solo practice will give me another perspective on how the techniques I am developing for the workshops translate when applied to another performance mode. I will also be able to determine whether I would like to develop a solo performance practice in its own right or if it is simply a useful tool for a deeper understanding of exercises that I will be sharing with others.

2. The weekly workshops will give me experience in running workshops, explore modes of creative expression available in a performance context, test out exercises that come out of my research to see if they translate well to a group of artists from mixed backgrounds and/or are good at fostering a strong, collaborative group dynamic. At the end of this term, I would like to have a stronger sense of a good progression of exercises to use in workshops so that I can focus on devising a final performance with a group of artists who are serious about participating in this performance.

3 The Plan of Work describing the principal stages and timescale of the work

1) Historical survey 3-4 weeks

i. Determine initial bibliography and start reading (in progress)

ii. Locate any visual reference that could be useful in development of practice (ongoing)

iii. Develop outline highlighting key themes, moments, movements, artists that are particularly relevant to my practice (Dec)

2) Solo performance 6 weeks
i. Determine list of solo artists to explore further (in progress)

ii. Sketch ideas that spring from research, workshops & lectures (ongoing)

iii. Weekly dedicated practice time to try out ideas (ongoing)

iv. Outline themes and issues that have arisen from practice and research (Dec/Jan)

3) Group Workshops 7 weeks
i. Evaluate techniques from ongoing research (historical, contemporary & solo practice)

ii. Develop workshop plans for weekly workshops with an informal group of artists (weekly)

iii. Describe workshop plan and evaluate each workshop after its been conducted (weekly)

iv. Analyze themes in critique that has arisen from workshops at end of term (Dec/Jan)

4) Selection of contemporary practitioners for case studies 8 weeks
i. Review contemporary companies on VLP website (complete)

ii. Attend performances in London (ongoing)

iii. Select companies for deeper review (Dec)
• Access to information on group, documentation of performances