EMA117 Assessment 1 - A Personal History in the Arts by Alec Ferguson https://padlet.com/alecferguson093/7f3zvivs9r1a Alec Ferguson - Student ID: 11628857 en-us 2019-03-28 22:46:58 UTC 2025-11-22 13:12:43 UTC hello@padlet.com Music alecferguson093 https://padlet.com/alecferguson093/7f3zvivs9r1a/wish/346363476 Music is an incredible release for me. I have been raised on a lifestyle of music, with my parents being fanatics of 1980s and 1990s rock and hair metal, I was influenced by that genre of music. More recently, I have come into rap music and hip hop, as influenced by what is commonly on the radio and what is heard by friends. Rap music is commonly perceived as crass, vulgar and in promotion of substance abuse, a gang related lifestyle and a violent life - however a lot of artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West make powerful and inspirational songs with messages on mental health, the cycle of crime and poverty and inequality in America. Attached below is a Spotify playlist of mine. Spotify is my primary streaming service of music, alongside SoundCloud and YouTube. Music is undoubtedly my most well rehearsed and competent art. As an avid listener, I am receptive of most genres and can appreciate production value, lyrical pieces, songs with a respectful cast and songs made for entertainment purposes. With music being my favourite concept, I stand on (Ryan and Healy's, 2008, page 86) table of 'analysing critically' and 'conceptualising by theorising'. This is brought to life in my understanding on cause and effect of particular materials on different people - and especially with the experimentation of representing different groups of people, the identification and association of certain art forms with groups of people and the phenomenon of cult figures and idols in this society. To summarise, the creative art of music is my most familiar and comfortable form of expressive art that I would feel most confident in using to express myself and communicate with. 

]]> 2019-03-28 22:48:52 UTC https://padlet.com/alecferguson093/7f3zvivs9r1a/wish/346363476 Visual Arts alecferguson093 https://padlet.com/alecferguson093/7f3zvivs9r1a/wish/346738422 The field of visual arts is a familiar, yet unskilled one for me. Art is something I have been surrounded by in the entirety of my schooling life. In primary school it was predominately basic drawing, painting and creating of small scale 3D models, as well as using the environment to create art (such as bark, leaves, branches). In high school, the history and meaning behind art was explored more - with artists such as the hyperrealistic Salvador Dali, the nature inspired Claude Monet or the pop-art star Andy Warhol. As basic as my skills are in art, I would sit myself in the 'conceptualising by naming' art of the (Ryan and Healy, 2008, page 86 table, as I can apply such terms in new situations and learn the metalanguage involved in artistic creation. The image supplied below is a simple piece I created in class. We were tasked with creating an artwork of something that meant a lot to us or that played a formative role in our recent lives. For me, it was my on-campus accommodation in 2018 (Towers, their 50th year was celebrated in 2018) and the CSU Pink Panthers hockey team that I was apart of. The artwork is basic in design, and features no visible advanced vectors, use of line, space or shape - however the relevant colours are all there. The media of visual arts is an incredibly vital one in the process of expression, both written and artistic. It is something I am not overly adept and confident in, yet I enjoy for the freedom it allows in all the mediums to convey to a diverse, or specific audience. ]]> 2019-03-30 03:47:22 UTC https://padlet.com/alecferguson093/7f3zvivs9r1a/wish/346738422 Drama alecferguson093 https://padlet.com/alecferguson093/7f3zvivs9r1a/wish/346738436 My experience and knowledge of drama is quite restricted, as I have never been one for the stage and performing. I believe I would fall in the 'experiencing the known' portion of the Ryan and Healy table as I can comprehend and describe the aspects of drama that permeate people's lives. Further, I am able to offer personal opinions on these art forms - even if they may be uneducated and share my prior knowledge of art forms, techniques, materials and media. Last year, I was invited to a Theatre Media student's production of 'Cosi Cosi', which was my first experience of a play. I enjoyed it thoroughly as it was such a foreign concept to me. The lighting, the props, the music, the set and cast were all phenomenal and exciting and had me wishing I'd been to more plays prior to my initial experience. Supplied is the promotional poster used for the play. I do not have a single clue on what makes a play successful, however the flawless dynamic on themes and ideas presented that night worked seamlessly. Drama is an important form of expressionism and provides culture and a niche insight into some of the worlds most creative and ingenious minds.  ]]> 2019-03-30 03:47:40 UTC https://padlet.com/alecferguson093/7f3zvivs9r1a/wish/346738436 Dance alecferguson093 https://padlet.com/alecferguson093/7f3zvivs9r1a/wish/346738439 The creative art of dance is perhaps my least explored and experienced form of expressionism. As a child, I took 'hip-hop' dance lessons with some friends for the socialisation and exercise. While I do have an incredible appreciation for the commitment, athleticism and coordination required for those who make a career out of dance. The movement of "... dance is an important means of expressing inner feelings, experiences and cultural identity" (Wright 2012, page 85) which is why it needs to be considered and respected when being discussed. My experiences and exhibitions of dance extend to classic dances such as the Macarena and the Nutbush - quite basic examples. However, a close friend of mine is quite a talented and diversely skilled dancer. He is proficient in jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, freestyle and ballet. His passion and drive in the lifestyle and community of dance has exposed me to a limited glimpse into what he is capable of. I have attended a few of his galas and shows, which is the extent of my exposure to dance. From the (Ryan and Healy, 2008, page 86) table, I place myself in the 'experiencing the new' portion of the table as I visit 'music, dance performances, and examples of street art - so while this area is unfamiliar to me for the most part, it is fairly commonplace to me. Attached below is the 2018 Christmas show that my friend performed in, an Alice in Wonderland spinoff performance. ]]> 2019-03-30 03:47:45 UTC https://padlet.com/alecferguson093/7f3zvivs9r1a/wish/346738439 Media Arts alecferguson093 https://padlet.com/alecferguson093/7f3zvivs9r1a/wish/346738444 Across the media arts spectrum, I have engaged with a diverse range of mediums and platforms as they have evolved over time. My primary involvement in media arts comes in the form of interactive and social media, as being a heavily technologically focused generation, I was raised during the explosion of popularity of computers, handheld devices and video games. My aptitude of social media platforms stems from outlets such as Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Youtube and Twitter. Having used these medias daily for the last 3+ years, I am adept in operating, functioning and sharing these mediums.  I use these platforms for communication, information, interactive learning and entertainment - of all which provide these to different extents. In reference to the table (Ryan and Healy, 2008, page 86), I am able to creatively express new forms of self and manipulate materials and these sites in advanced ways. Furthermore, on these applications, I am able to experiment with new techniques and design elements as they become available with new updates. Throughout these applications, I am able to communicate with others effortlessly, instruct others on how to operate the app and adapt to changes within the technologies. To summarise, the media arts are what I am most proficient in due to my exposure, usage and past experience. ]]> 2019-03-30 03:47:49 UTC https://padlet.com/alecferguson093/7f3zvivs9r1a/wish/346738444 Reference List alecferguson093 https://padlet.com/alecferguson093/7f3zvivs9r1a/wish/346741700 (Wright, 2011)
 
(Mary Ryan, 2000)

Mary Ryan, A. H. (2000). 'Art'efacts of Knowing: Multiliteracies and the arts. . Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Wright, S. (2011). Children, Meaning-Making and the Arts. Melbourne: Pearson Education Australia.
 
 
]]> 2019-03-30 04:43:32 UTC https://padlet.com/alecferguson093/7f3zvivs9r1a/wish/346741700