Following is notes from the verbal feedback given by the GRC panel of Laurene Vaughan, Adrian Miles, Jeremy Yuille and Linda Daley. The quotes are taken from the panel and an audio record of the feedback and have not been assigned to any particular person.
Theory with a small ‘t’ and propositions
My understanding of the theory with a capital ‘T’ and looking at propositions.
‘What propositions are [the projects/practice] making about documentary, networked practice…they might be making propositions that are not theoretical…how do I understand and contextualise these propositions…?’
Scrutiny of the projects and propositions in relation to the projects/practice that eventuates…are used to ‘create an understanding’ that becomes the contribution to knowledge (the field)… Avoid using theory in this instance to write a theoretical essay (in the conventional sense).
‘…this is the proposition…this is what they are…this is how I contextualise these propositions…this is why they matter’
‘…your work is not about making theories it is about making propositions about practice…’
Theory as a concept is changed to knowledge (an epistemology) were knowledge is created through an engagement with practice. This approach avoids folding the analysis back into abstract theoretical concepts. ‘Scrutinising the practice internally and positioning it externally…’
This type of analysis considers the implications for documentary practice and how it may be changed and improved in some way.
The propositions come from the practice and theory with a (small ‘t’) is used to explore and test those propositions. In comparison to theory with a (capital ‘T’) being used to fit and shape the theorising of the practice. Instead the idea is to use the practice to create propositions and concepts. Theory/multiple theories are then used to clarify the proposition that has been raised in the practice. This means you are using theory on your terms, ‘ to make sense of what’ you have raised. The work (the thinking) lies in the process of synthesis how a number of theories are brought together to explore a proposition. A process that requires being clear about the proposition as a starting point and then managing that synthesis.
‘Think of it as commentary…rather than hegemonic big’T’ theory. How have I come up with [the proposition]…how could it be better explained? Better understood more clearly articulated by making references out to others…for the purpose of solidifying and creating nuances with your own ideas’
Propositions are there to ‘agitate to tweak…disrupt’ assumptions in relation to documentary practice.
The methodological readings can be used for this as well.
In relation to the concept of propositions references include Dunne and Raby and Richard Buchanan’s ideas on ‘placements’.
Interface and closed systems
Other notes included thinking about the analysis of interface as an entity on its own. This is where the mistake is to collapse the interface into the network and see the concept of working with the affordances of the network as being totally utilised.
The issue of closed networks or types of networks in terms of how these works as discrete media objects as closed systems operate compared to open systems on the Internet. Thinking about the content and how it operates outside the works that are being produced. (quote) ‘It is not network art’. What does it mean to close WordPress off? This is along with using existing products to do other things or for other purposes.
Documentary knowledge
The term ‘documentary knowledge’ as mentioned in the review notes needs to be framed in terms of how it will be applied in this context.
‘Knowledge gained from the documentary? Knowledge about documentary practice? claims to knowledge that documentary practice makes? is it all three?’ This just needs to be stated were there is no necessity to read countless books on this field to create that framework.
‘Shifting the frames of how people understand documentary’ Work from previous industry experience and state this up front in the exegesis.
Locative Painting
The panel struggled to make a connection between the previous projects and this final project. Interface was seen as being a significant part of this difference. Spatial montage is lost in this iteration were in the current version at this point returns to one frame of video.
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