Wonderful conversation today. We started with the Oulipo
homeoconstantism exercise. Always generates some interesting responses. Rather
than let the class wander in the space I set up seminar style tables in the middle
of the room. I like the freedom of the open space, but at times we need to
reign that in so we can focus on the discussion. Great conversation about the
essay. Some fantastic points form students about how postmodernism seems to
hold opposites at the same time. We addressed the notion of change and I opposed
the question about change on this campus. This had a flurry of responses –
mainly along the lines of old and new and how we can get caught in that
transition. Dissecting the rest of the article some deep and thoughtful
comments and connections. Part of what I explained about the structure of the
class is that doing the projects and exercises students know things before they
know they know things. The point of reading the article now in the term is to bring
that ideas out. What would have been just baffling weeks prior now is starting
to make some kind of sense. So, today I felt that the class is starting the jell.
Perfect time to take a break from the discussion and watch a movie. My hope is
that they will see all of the things that we have been discussing in the Monty
Python film. From there it is back to discussion of the film and then onto the
next project. My hope is that we can sustain the energy today through that and
then reconnect with it after the break when we get to the Fluxus stuff. Like a
rehearsal process, I never want a class to peak too soon.
A few new terms added today:
No comments:
Post a Comment