Reina Sofia

"I don't get it"

Trips were a very integral part of my modules and often we would cut some classes shorter to allow us to collect hours to put towards visits and trips.

The lecturers explained that is was important for us to see not only art work up close but the architecture too. Understandably not everything can be understood and appreciated if you look at it in a powerpoint. 

From this visit we had to produce a written piece (2,000 word essay) on a piece that we had selected from one of the two exhibitions we saw by Consant Nieuwenheuys - the new Babylon and Hito Steyerl. At times I found it hard to explain the pieces but remembered I would always get it until it was explained and even then it was up to me to interpret it as I deemed fit. Keeping that in mind I found it easy to have an open mind about pieces and could comfortably express whether I liked, disliked or understood or didn't understand a piece of art and why. Explaining why was the main thing. The exhibitions explored to very different sides of art and inspired me to write the assignment piece. I selected a piece by Constant and was praised by my lecturer - who as this point is trying to convert me to study art instead - for my analysis of the piece 'Wave of terror attacks’. 

Ultimately knowing that this technically isn't my field of study, I was motivated to really try and understand how and where this knowledge and skill can be applied once I get back to Coventry and continue with Graphics. Nevertheless it was rewarding and reassuring to know I was doing something right.