Comments on: Alternative Dimensions in the Practice Room http://mieatnec.org/blog/2006/11/15/multiple-representations/ News and Stories from Artist-Teacher-Scholars Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:12:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Kenneth Kwok http://mieatnec.org/blog/2006/11/15/multiple-representations/#comment-47 Kenneth Kwok Sat, 10 Feb 2007 22:36:20 +0000 http://mieatnec.org/blog/2006/11/15/multiple-representations/#comment-47 For me, I think it is a great idea because it forces you to fully engage with a work and really perceive and then RE-perceive it. It transfers focus away from the piece as the one correct or right "answer" (or interpretation). By deconstructing a piece, breaking it up and playing around with the possibilities inherent in the work, we are looking more at the components that make up the piece, the process of composition, the choices made by the composer and previous performers etc. It becomes more fluid and less fixed and solid. When we are able to see all the facets, shades and depths of something, it is not surprising that that it becomes familiar to us and therefore "easier" to grapple with, predict, analyze and understand. The same can be said of people! :) Also, I think that this act of innovation also forces us to engage our imagination and therefore gives us a greater sense of ownership over the work because it is something we have had a part in creating (or, at least, re-creating). When we subsequently perform the original work, it is something less alien to us, being now part of our sense of our creative self. For me, I think it is a great idea because it forces you to fully engage with a work and really perceive and then RE-perceive it.

It transfers focus away from the piece as the one correct or right “answer” (or interpretation). By deconstructing a piece, breaking it up and playing around with the possibilities inherent in the work, we are looking more at the components that make up the piece, the process of composition, the choices made by the composer and previous performers etc. It becomes more fluid and less fixed and solid.

When we are able to see all the facets, shades and depths of something, it is not surprising that that it becomes familiar to us and therefore “easier” to grapple with, predict, analyze and understand.

The same can be said of people! :)

Also, I think that this act of innovation also forces us to engage our imagination and therefore gives us a greater sense of ownership over the work because it is something we have had a part in creating (or, at least, re-creating). When we subsequently perform the original work, it is something less alien to us, being now part of our sense of our creative self.

]]> By: Randy http://mieatnec.org/blog/2006/11/15/multiple-representations/#comment-24 Randy Fri, 17 Nov 2006 19:32:33 +0000 http://mieatnec.org/blog/2006/11/15/multiple-representations/#comment-24 Wow, quite a poignant post. I like the idea of making a piece harder (via accidentals, etc.), so that when you play it the "right" way, it actually seems easier. I suppose what you've said is another way of saying that "one gets 'out' of something what one puts 'in.'" Though the maxim itself can often sound cliche, I think it definitely applies towards the MIE Program and the Program's policy to enforce portfolios as the standard of assessment. Sure, making portfolios is often more time consuming and intense than taking a test or writing a term paper, but there are so many benefits that come from the process of portfolio making. In other words, because the portfolio process challenges students to make connections and do more work than traditional assessment tools like essays or exams might, the resulting portfolio often trumps (easily, I might add) any question of what a student learned in his/her class or Guided Internship. Anyways, I could go on and on about this, but perhaps I'll save it for my own post. Nice writing, Kristen! Wow, quite a poignant post. I like the idea of making a piece harder (via accidentals, etc.), so that when you play it the “right” way, it actually seems easier. I suppose what you’ve said is another way of saying that “one gets ‘out’ of something what one puts ‘in.’”

Though the maxim itself can often sound cliche, I think it definitely applies towards the MIE Program and the Program’s policy to enforce portfolios as the standard of assessment. Sure, making portfolios is often more time consuming and intense than taking a test or writing a term paper, but there are so many benefits that come from the process of portfolio making. In other words, because the portfolio process challenges students to make connections and do more work than traditional assessment tools like essays or exams might, the resulting portfolio often trumps (easily, I might add) any question of what a student learned in his/her class or Guided Internship.

Anyways, I could go on and on about this, but perhaps I’ll save it for my own post. Nice writing, Kristen!

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