Padlet #2 by Gabriela Machado https://padlet.com/mach0131/p2dlpcg5f60q94e5 Gabi Machado en-us 2022-04-17 15:42:04 UTC 2022-05-07 00:04:24 UTC hello@padlet.com Collaboration mach0131 https://padlet.com/mach0131/p2dlpcg5f60q94e5/wish/2146159606 Being able to bounce ideas off of a directing major, an acting major, scenic designer, etc. is something that sparked so many new ideas. I have a new way of thinking about creative projects instead of seeing art as just dance, I see so many more things. Collaboration is giving your input, but also taking a step back. This course I found myself taking a step back a lot not because I did not feel comfortable, but because I wanted to absorb what my peers were saying. They have such creative ideas that I have never thought about, not only are they creative but they are thorough in their ideas. Being able to work with such knowledgeable and accepting students is something that was not always available to me. I have learned how to think in different ways. I have better strategies to work through collaboration now and I have been using it in my other classes and I see an immense amount of growth, and it started in this class. Being able to work with my peers through different workshops and classes allowed my mind to work in different ways and expand my knowledge of art. I now understand art can not be made by one person and we all collaborate together to make the best version of the piece. I know I see art in the rehearsal process when everyone is free to speak their mind. I am also aware of the difficulties that come along with collaborating. It is not always easy to work with other creators that are passionate about other ideas. It is hard to find a middle ground when you are working with dedicated people. It is amazing to have so much passion behind ideas, but it puts a roadblock when trying to create a piece that involves multiple ideas and passions. After the final  projects I heard many people discuss how they did not feel heard in their group, which is very upsetting. Some things that I heard was there was a power imbalance between the students in the group based on age, experience, and attitude. Many people did not want to hurt others feelings for disagreeing. With discussing these issues in an open safe environment some of the advice that was distributed was that just because you give an alternative idea does not mean you think the other idea was bad. I see many people struggle with collaboration because they are fearful others will take their criticism/ideas the wrong way. I think it is important to push through the fear and get confident with your ideas, therefore, you can share them with the community.

]]> 2022-04-17 18:45:16 UTC https://padlet.com/mach0131/p2dlpcg5f60q94e5/wish/2146159606 Real-World Connections mach0131 https://padlet.com/mach0131/p2dlpcg5f60q94e5/wish/2146170971 Specifically in scenic design I really related the art I wanted to create to what was going on around me. I was inspired by my peers in the classroom that wanted to look at accessibility on campus and the pharmaceutical companies. I knew art could make such a big statement, but I never thought of making art that had such great meaning. Even art that is just for entertainment has ties to the real world. There was another project that came up with a brilliant idea to have an interactive installation. This is just as necessary in art, these fun entertaining exhibits still have something to offer to the real world. Having strangers come together and be in-charge of how a show pans out can be just as impactful as other installations. This class made me realize that I can create art that has ties to the real world without creating a somber piece of art with a deep dark meaning. Although art can be a way to express these suppressed thoughts, it can also be a way to bring the community together. I opened my eyes and stopped putting pressure to create art that will change the world, instead I try to create art that will bring people together. After seeing my peers create artwork together I realized that art can bring people together in so many different ways. I found people bringing the community together through movement, comedy, and vulnerability. One type of expression is not more important than the other in art because when emulating the world we experience all different emotions in our life and on an everyday basis. Being able to express different emotions through art can represent different sections of people’s lives or it can just bring people together through similar emotions. The great thing about art is that it is subjective and it can always be tied to someone's life and people can relate.

]]> 2022-04-17 19:09:58 UTC https://padlet.com/mach0131/p2dlpcg5f60q94e5/wish/2146170971 Inspirations mach0131 https://padlet.com/mach0131/p2dlpcg5f60q94e5/wish/2146173615 This is a really easy topic to write about after this class. I have been so inspired by the teachers and my peers throughout the duration of this class. I find so much inspiration for conversations I have with the other students, the exercises we do throughout different rotations, and the assignments we are assigned. I find myself thinking in a  whole new way. Instead of thinking about art as the dancer, I think of art as an artist. This class broke the barriers off for me, and it is all because of the diversity in the classroom. Having such accepting peers and teachers allowed me to explore my creativity and learn about different aspects of art. Being able to hear input from scenic designers, fellow dancers, actors/actresses, directors, playwrights, etc. have helped me be able to step out of my comfort zone when creating art. Stepping out of my dancer bubble has allowed me to not only be more inspired in the dance studio, but as an artist in general. I see art everywhere I go, not only do I see it but I analyze its beauty. I now think of how it was made, who went into making it, what was the artist's vision, how do others perceive this art. My inspiration is just being able to converse with brilliant open minded artists that help me see art in a new way each time. I also find inspiration in the conversations I have with my fellow peers. To see art performed is very different from seeing the rehearsal process and speaking to the people involved in their process. From the outside everything seems so smooth and almost effortless, but usually it is the opposite. I find myself putting a lot of pressure on myself to make sure everything including the rehearsal process goes as smoothly as possible, but when speaking to my peers I am coming to the conclusion that it is okay for it now to be smooth. I was able to talk to the creators of pieces that I loved about their process, and it was very far from perfect. I learned that to have a great show you have to be flexible and willing throughout the rehearsal process. I am inspired by my peers to see how much vulnerability they are willing to share and I am working on doing the same.

]]> 2022-04-17 19:15:33 UTC https://padlet.com/mach0131/p2dlpcg5f60q94e5/wish/2146173615 Inspiration mach0131 https://padlet.com/mach0131/p2dlpcg5f60q94e5/wish/2173391113 2022-05-06 19:45:49 UTC https://padlet.com/mach0131/p2dlpcg5f60q94e5/wish/2173391113 Real-Life Connections mach0131 https://padlet.com/mach0131/p2dlpcg5f60q94e5/wish/2173392474 2022-05-06 19:47:26 UTC https://padlet.com/mach0131/p2dlpcg5f60q94e5/wish/2173392474 Collaboration mach0131 https://padlet.com/mach0131/p2dlpcg5f60q94e5/wish/2173397746 2022-05-06 19:53:15 UTC https://padlet.com/mach0131/p2dlpcg5f60q94e5/wish/2173397746 About Me mach0131 https://padlet.com/mach0131/p2dlpcg5f60q94e5/wish/2173540439 I started dancing when I was three years old. I do not think I actually found dance until I was about seven years old when I understood the meaning of dance. Being in the arts, ups, and downs are bound to happen. I never fell out of love with dance, but there were times when I did not know if it was worth it. The thing that got in my way of pure enjoyment was myself. Wanting perfection at all times is not possible in the arts. Once I realized that there is beauty in all steps throughout the process I was able to grow as a dancer and as an artist.

Growing up in the dance world you are constantly judged on appearance. Accepting my body and myself as a whole was very difficult as a young girl which caused many problems in the future. After the experience that I had as a child I now preach body positivity and acceptance of all. That is one of my main morals from now on and anyone I come into contact with will feel that safe environment. I find it much easier to accept others for who they are than it is to accept myself. Throughout these past months I have started journaling and starting to encourage myself instead of tear myself down.

Being a young dancer I thought the only art form was dance, I know I was crazy. I was never introduced to other forms of art until I was in the eighth grade when I went to my first Broadway show. My first ever show was Hamilton, and I was in shock from the talent these actors/actresses had. I found the beauty in the acting, dancing, the scenery, and the music. Ever since then I have realized the beauty in all art forms. I have started to find ways to communicate with the use of lighting, dialogue, and scenery/props. I want to expand my knowledge more about art as a whole and not just one sector of the community. 

]]> 2022-05-07 00:04:24 UTC https://padlet.com/mach0131/p2dlpcg5f60q94e5/wish/2173540439