Category Archives: Fall 2011

Paper & Video

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Sadly, the video could not be converted in a format that I could post. However, some reflections on the paper were of our process through the semester and how the Illahee Institute would function.

This is a brief summation of how the model would work (lots of details are excluded):

THE MODEL THUS FAR
The Illahee Institute consists of:

1.     A mixture of 1st and 2nd year students who participate via an MFA-CD elective
2.      lllahee Institute board includes representation of Illahee & PNCA.
3.     Based on a 7 member board
4.     Mentors
5.     Administrative employees
6.     The MFA-CD program assistant could do this if they were not split between two programs
7.     A website.

Where do the projects come from?

1.     Ad Hoc / CORE GROUP
2.     External

Additional Capstone Ideas/Images

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Update: The website idea is being more thoroughly examined, and I will most likely be incorporating it into the entire work. It will hopefully create a platform for dialog/discussion for people hiking, people yet to explore, and people who cannot get to these areas. Also, there will most likely be data about the area and possibly interesting factoids along the way.

Here are some of the snip-its from the final presentation images used that are also available on Flickr:

Capstone in Progress

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Capstone – Oneness

My thoughts for a capstone project arose when I was making prints for a gallery exhibition. I was overjoyed to be part of a gallery exhibition and to finally see my photos at a 18”x24” size. However, it hurt me to know that I was using valuable resources such as the paper and ink to put something on a stagnant wall. I wanted to do something that created an experience rather than a commodity, and that would also encourage people to stop thinking of being separate with nature but one.

Oneness
Laura DeVito

 How do generosity (still working on that part) and oneness intersect with design – be it interactive, participatory, communication, disruptive, conceptual?

Humanity has never left nature, although people seek escape to nature. I am going to address how generosity and becoming one with nature can help address the problem of a disconnected society and illusion of being disconnected from nature. This issue is worthy because it will show people that “we’re all in this together,” and all life deserves time and consideration. This would be number one on the charts when it comes to ranking of wickedness because lack of awareness, empathy and connection leads to one-dimensional decisions that could lead to the end of human life and many other life-forms.

The Oneness Project:
I have hit a wall with the reason to actually print my photos. It is not environmentally friendly from the lack of decomposition in a healthy amount of time to the amount of energy it takes to actually produce one. All for the one reason that it will hang stagnantly on a wall.

Therefore, I would like to show people in an interactive way my perspective as an artist and the participants. I will purchase used frames and used or eco-friendly rope. Then, I will proceed to choose 3-5 different hiking trails around the Portland area and hang the frames along the trail in various orientations. If possible, I would like these frames to stay in position until they become one with nature again through decomposition. Another idea (that I’m not completely sold on) is to begin a website in which people can post their photos of the various frames. I think it would be interesting to show even though the frame is in the same position, there are still millions of possible perspectives. Thus, indicating how there are many points of view in society, no matter how narrow the field is assumed to be.

The partnerships to be had are with parker rangers or land owners of these trails. This is probably the most difficult obstacle, to earn trust and adhere to rules already set in stone. I would like to do a trial piece in Don’s epiphany class with the cohort on Peter’s land. This type of thing could also be replicated in other parts of the world.

The final deliverable will be these frames on the trails (or off), creating an experience rather than consuming valuable resources, reinforcing Oregon lifestyle of hiking and seeking out unique pieces in nature, and emphasizing our relationship with nature.

Emily Pilloton

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Emily Pilloton is an amazing designer that through documentation, diligence, patience and creativity – has made a positive impact on education in Bertie County. My take away is to definitely keep up with my documentation when it comes to the process.