Since last group tutorial with Luke, I've done a lot of questioning about my final project and the research paper; and inevitably, the most important and fundamental question: the purpose of my study, my future role and my relation to the world. Finding out the meaning and the value of my place in the world is really important to me in deciding which direction I am going to take forward.
Following are the thinking process and research reflections that help me to see more clearly the picture ahead. I am very surprised though, to find how everything that seems unrelated at first place ended up leading me to the same direction.
Reflections from last tutorial
(1) Question about "Identity"
I have lost my interest in the "cultural/national identity" subject since I read an article 'Connecting the Culture(s)' (Loytty Olli (2007), Framework, No.7, June, pp.18-20 ). In this paper, the author examined the concepts of "multiculturalism" and "trans-nationalism" in the context of Finland, - a country that has a similar identity crisis as Taiwan. He referred to the book Imagined Communities (1983), which wrote about nations are made of ideas and aspirations, stories and beliefs; "We do not belong to the same nation because we are alike, but we like to think we are alike because we belong to the same nation."
This revealing statement led me to question the significance of my own identity crisis (yeah... I seemed to have a multi-facet identity crisis in the past few weeks). I wonder does something called "Taiwanese culture" really exist? Is it possible to distinguish Taiwanese culture (and its application in the design scene) from that of China? Or is it really important?
My answer is no. In the era of globalization, particularly, the so called national culture is only one of the many factors that constitute our identity as a designer or an individual. In my case, on reflection, it even has a less important role. Perhaps it would be more worthwhile to examine how the information technology has changed the operation of the world and our design practice...etc. So at this stage I think this is a wrong direction to approach my "real" question about "identity".
(2) Did you work as an Art administrator?
Another thing that struck me was when Luke asked me about my experience as an art administrator. At first, it got me to think about what I can do as a graphic designer to help solve some of the problems facing the art administration practice. In my case, as an administrator in an organization serving particularly the performing art, I thought of "money". The need of fund and the skils for fund raising is always the primary issue. Secondly, the marketing and promotion of art institutions. Thirdly, the documentation of the artworks and the activities.
And then I thought of the complaint that I often to receive - I cannot produce a moving image. Well, in this information driven world, the ability to draw people's attention makes a difference.
So if I am to continue my future career as an art administrator (Am I? that is the real question), maybe the "Moving Image" is a direction I can follow through in terms of professional skill development.
