Gateway to University Honors
The Gateway to University Honors class provided me with an understanding of what it means to be a member of the University Honors Program and the requirements and benefits of my participation from year to year. In Gateway, each student will create their own pathway through the UHP and I began to explore that in this class. I also learned means in which to engage in critical reflection to deepen and integrate my learning in the broader context. I also explored personal interests and discovered my strengths. As the class concluded, we created our learning portfolios and also were able to be part of a group of peers.
Mini Experience Reflection
April 2017
The Mini-Experience assignment serves to expose and educate University Honors students on the process required by the UHP for students to propose, enact, and reflect on a Self-Designed Experience. For this Mini-Self Designed Experience, my partner and I decided to create a chalk mural on campus. I designed a space-themed chalk mural on UC's West Campus to boost morale in the final weeks of the semester, as well as address the issue of dialogue surrounding mental health. The process of creating this mural with my partner entailed organizing a time to work collaboratively, as well as finding an appropriate installation site for the artwork. The design was space-themed because whilst planning our Mini-Experience, Nicole and I discovered that space, astronomy, and the laws of physics were common interests of ours. The final design for the mural illustrates a view from the earth towards the sun within space, and includes the text “Take care out there.” I chose this phrase because it advocates for self-care, which is an important principle to remember in terms of both physical and mental health, especially for individuals who may face stress (i.e. college students). The format of the public art mural was important because the mural has been recognized as an effective means of communication as well as being an artistic source of “liveliness and vitality” (Becker 7). We installed the final artwork on April 17th along the tunnel between the Braunstein and Physics/Geology buildings, and the piece will last for as long as weather allows.
From this experience, I learned the value of positive artwork on UC’s campus – while it is generally understood that public art is “nice” to have, this experience changed my perspective on just how much of a personal positive impact the mural had. Most everyone that walked by during our installation – and even in the days following – reacted with a smile. Nicole and I felt it was important to provide a source of positivity on campus, especially during peak stress seasons such as the end of the semester. This observation validated our reasoning for choosing the mural as a vehicle for public communication, and personally proved that the artwork I had created had a genuine impact. During the planning of this Mini-Experience, the resource I found on public art in the United States was especially informative in explaining the various aspects we should consider regarding civic dialogue and community wellness. Becker explains that public art “enhances our experience of a place and our quality of life,” and contributes to a “sense of pride and community identity” (6). These are key improvements for any community, especially for the University of Cincinnati where the population is diverse, and it can be difficult for many individuals to adjust and embrace the University community. The Mini-Experience also addressed our Creative Learning Outcomes of the abilities to explore and engage new mediums as well as articulate broader significance in the creative context. Through the process of devising and enacting this Mini-Experience, I feel that I have gained a deeper understanding of the process that an artist hoping to work within or around the public sector should consider. Additionally, this Mini-Experience has developed my personal connection to the University of Cincinnati community, and along with that an understanding of how to navigate public discourse.
In the future, I hope to do more positive artwork on campus for my peers. Even if the work is small, casual, or temporary, the act of devising and installing art that will bring positivity to others seems to satisfy some of my passions for learning and making. From this Mini-Experience I have begun to understand the mental process required to format a work specifically for public consumption, and am interested in pursuing this avenue of art in the future. I believe even more strongly now that art should be generally publically accessible, and that it should no longer be considered a social luxury. In my future artistic practice, I will use the knowledge I have gained from this experience and apply it to more endeavors of public art, whether that be a mural or other form of artistic installation. I am also interested in learning civic guidelines further along the road in relation to public art, as well as developing relationships with public officials or organizations that share my views on integrating art with communities both local and foreign. These kinds of knowledge may not be readily accessible through my current course of study, however my sincere interests in government, public discourse, and social practice art will and have allowed me to explore interdisciplinary areas of knowledge. My next steps will be to work this summer developing artwork and art education for the Creative Community Festival in Price Hill, combining the knowledge I now possess about preparing artwork for public consumption as well as navigating issues of government and public support for the arts.
Works Cited
Becker, Jack. “Public Art: An Essential Component of Creating Communities.” Monograph. Americans for the Arts, New York, NY. March 2004. Accessed March 31, 2017.