We brought our Hdip students on a field trip this week. It was all to do with an art project collaboration with a primary school in Wilton who invited our trainee teachers to contribute ideas for the children to make artwork in celebration of the schools 25th anniversary. We hired a bus big enough to bring all the students as well as transport the 8 foot sheets of hardboard that will be used in the projects. The experience of the students meeting with the primary school staff and management was a valuable experience, but also a positive one for myself and my colleague Susanna as it gives the chance for us all to be more outward-looking and work within different environments and situations. But it was also fun as we felt like typical teachers sitting at the front of the bus next to driver keeping an eye on the students. But at least Hdip students are a well behaved bunch!!!!! The students have worked well in developing their ideas, which include painting, mixed media, photo montage, shadow puppets, mural, printmaking, site specific installation. As it is a Gaelscoil the themes and images will be based upon Irish myths, legends and music. I'm looking forward to the outcomes of this project and I might be able to upload pictures to the blog!

Its interesting to consider how processes can change

according to the media that is explored.

Looking today in class at contemporary forms

of interaction such as the fantastic Lip Dub event in

Canada...

But being a bit of an old fogey that youthful exuberance

is a bit tiring so I like to think of more sedate things and

the interactions with spaces and objects within a natural

environment. And who better than Andy Goldsworthy!!!!!

This blogging lark can become an obsession. Have a look at the link below - its like a chapter in book more than anything else. Still, I love the music he talks about and the interface between music and art. Its an area that fascinates me and especially relevant to inter-disciplinary art and new media.

http://rougesfoam.blogspot.com/2009/10/hauntology-past-inside-present.html

Saw my Third Yrs today for the first time in three weeks - the mid term and mocks put a spanner in works. But I guess most of you out there are in the same boat. Heading towards the sharp end of the wedge with the deadline looming ever closer keeps things interesting.

Day one. Finding out interesting things about social networking and sharing of info online. I'm surprised to find out that I know more about this stuff that I had realised - so I must resurrect some of my lapsed accounts like Fliker and myspace. Maybe those hours online and playing computer games may turn out be useful after all!!!!!!