The first observation Research Methods at Photography department

14.01.2014

Lecturer: Marja Seliger 

Time: 14:00-16:00

The first observation Research Methods at Photography department was interesting as it focused on how to improve skills in research thinking, forming research questions and interactivity between art and research. A lot of the information was based on a book by Rose Gillian, Visual Methodologies (2001).

There was a discussion on the difference between science and art. For example where science is rational, art is emotional. Also where science emphasises systematic, art is more creative. Science is also about methods and art is about experience. Science is objective and art is subjective. We have looked at the word re-search which could be explained as search again, explore, and investigate. Build a bridge between theory and practice.

The scientific practices have a strong emphasis on empirical data collection, analysing data, writing articles and presentation. The field of art has a strong tradition in the production of artefacts. The field of research has a strong tradition of producing knowledge. The questions that we can ask for example are: What kind of knowledge is hidden in arts? How can we acquire new knowledge from art and design?

The challenge is to combine art and design practice with theory. So the proposed process in the seminar was for the students to follow the steps:

1. Find the topic and justification (what and why).

2. Research proposal, research objectives.

3. Find literature and former research and artworks.

4. Conduct the research, producing the artwork and documenting the art work.

5. Link the work to future, will this topic be interesting to other students?

Also to take into consideration viewpoint, perspective of the producer, artist, design products, site of the audience and users. List the research questions relevant to the topic. What are the results, knowledge they expect to find.

The presentation was very clear and detailed with the slideshows. In the second part of the presentation the students were asked to form a group and discuss methods on how they would design research . For example is the research going to be 1.) Theoretical 2.) Artistic or 3.) Production based research.  What kind of processes the student could use, for example interview artists etc.

There were about 30 students from different art departments.