Entering the Last Turn

 

It’s early sunday morning here in Ireland, the students are sleeping, (most of them), and it’s a great time to catch up on the blog.  

There was a bit of a celebration last night as it was Tim and JoAnn’s 39th wedding anniversary and Kat’s 22nd birthday.  Everyone gathered at Monk’s, a local seafood restaurant, to mark the occasion.  A chocolate cake appeared, the band played, and everyone had a great time.  

I am trying very hard to help you understand what it’s like to be here for the students, what their experience is like, and what it feels like to be teaching them in this environment.  The best way to do this is to let the students speak for themselves.  Dania Piscetta has been working on a sculptural concept since she arrived. Using natural materials, she is producing a work that is resonant with the way this environment affects her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

” I’ve never had an experience like this.  This is the first time that I have felt the freedom to create anything that I want.  This unique quality about the program has allowed me to push my boundaries as an artist and discover what truly inspires me to create.”

 

Just so you know, I have asked each student to write a comment about the program and explained that their comment will be accompanied by a photograph.  I haven’t told them what to write, I have given them no guidelines whatsoever, and I haven’t even told them to write something positive.  In keeping with the objective for this blog, every photo and every word written is to help share the flavor of this experience with our readers.

It can be very frightening to face the blank canvas, and this is exactly what our students have been asked to do.  It’s much easier to be given an assignment and simply follow instructions than it is to develop a concept and an idea of your own and execute it to completion.  In the next few days, as we come to the end of our time here, that is precisely what our students will be doing.  I’ll share the results with you when we get there.

The other evening, the BCA Gallery opened an exhibition of the work of local artists.  Our students attended the opening, mixed with the artists, and were able to speak with them about their work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The town of Ballyvaughan is a very active sea coast town in the summer.  Yesterday, the Burren Cycling Club sponsored a bike race known as the “Tour de Burren.”  Over 900 bicyclists from the area participated.  Jackie Prescutti, Lena Isenberg and I were asked to photograph the race by the Burren Cycling Club.  The longest of the races is the 160km race which encompasses the entire area of the Burren and includes a place called “corkscrew hill.”  Corkscrew hill is an area with about a five km incline that ends in a series of very steep switchbacks.  It is not for the faint of heart but these folks seemed to take it in stride.  Bicycling is a huge sport here and throughout Europe and the range of ages going up that hill was incredible. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This seems to be a great place to finish for today.  I think you’re pretty much up to date.  Sundays are pretty relaxed here but I think I’ll be seeing students straggle into the studios before too long.  They understand that time is getting short and that we have a critique tomorrow.  Lots to do, little time to get it done.  Have a great sunday, and to all of the fathers whose kids are here, “Happy fathers day!

 

Andy