To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2009 10:33:46 -0500
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Difficult workshops


Wow, I was hoping to get some feedback and stories, but this is beyond 
expectations!
Thanks Alan, Liz, John, Mark, and Nancy for the different approcahes, 
advice, and insight.

I'm feeling much better now, knowing a few tings that can be done to prevent 
this kind of misunderstanding, or fix the situation if it ever occurs again.
It was the only time I ever saw an entire group lack interest. It was rather 
deflating!
No matter the attempts, the many techniques I shared, the suggestions 
specific to their work, they kept pretty close to indifference.  I now 
realize they probably needed proofs, something to justify the weird or 
primitive-looking approaches I was showing them.
When the Negative Judgement is firm in the mind, there is no possibility for 
learning.


I love Mark's way of treating a workshop like a performance.
I never put it into words like this, although I see I always "played a 
role", without thinking about it.
Now that I know about it, I can focus it more! Thanks Mark!

But in yesterday's case, I still don't see what I could have done different, 
knowing what I knew.
The class just wasn't into it at all. Two of them said they would not have 
taken the class had they known what the content was: Experimental paper 
sculptures, non figurative. Two of them wanted a paper mache class. Which I 
would have been glad to teach on the spot, had I had my tools and supplies. 
>From now on, I'll always bring those to fall back on, as a "plan B".

But knowing what I think I know now, I could have done this:
-could have brought my portfolio and other artists's works as proof of what 
can be done with the same techniques.
-could have brought actual finished works, not just samples. I usually do, 
but for some reason, not this time. I won't make that mistake again!










----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Dudley" <john.dudley-AT-telepuppets.com>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2009 7:32 AM
Subject: [Puptcrit] Difficult workshops


>I can well appreciate what Alan is saying about workshops in the
> 1960's but regrettably over the years times and attitudes have changed
> considerably. We have Ipods and computer games to occupy our minds.
> Anything that requires a bit of thought is BORING, especially if
> challenged to do anything. Those who have a bit of money in their
> pockets tend to go out and buy what they want or drive their parents
> into the ground! Many youngsters used to have school clubs and
> hobbies. Sport is one that appears to have survived.
>
> I am sure it is the same in America with a lot of the young as it is
> in the UK. It all starts in the home and how much encouragement is
> given.
> On television and in newspapers we see stories of youngsters shooting
> randomly in the streets, gangs of under aged drinkers,
> wandering the streets in the early hours of the morning and when asked
> why they do it, the reply is nothing to do!
>
> I feel sorry for many teachers who have an uphill job.
>
> John
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
> Archives: http://www.driftline.org
>


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