Final Personal Statement by https://padlet.com/ericr8346/w25rzvp42apqecir by eric ramirez en-us 2022-05-12 22:18:52 UTC 2022-05-13 01:33:54 UTC hello@padlet.com Inspiration ericr8346 https://padlet.com/ericr8346/w25rzvp42apqecir/wish/2022519949 I have a lot of people ask me what I mean when I talk about theatre and art being easier to experience rather than explain and I think of this video very often. Just because it's so evident how well and effective acting is. This video and the actors methods seem so simplistic, yet the product is so powerful. These two actors creating a whole new being on stage that's truly compelling. Reminiscent of Flowers for Algernon.]]> 2022-02-01 01:47:02 UTC https://padlet.com/ericr8346/w25rzvp42apqecir/wish/2022519949 Practices Within School ericr8346 https://padlet.com/ericr8346/w25rzvp42apqecir/wish/2022618437 Another process that brings me solace is Woodworking. For a while, I had a deep appreciation for theatre and all of the “theatre magic” it creates, but recently because of a myriad of internal and external factors, the drive has felt depleted. Or, I lose my own identity in the artistic world due to desensitization or disassociation and simply cannot find my place amongst all the overwhelmingly creative (and competitive) minds. I use woodworking to escape this taxing mindset I sometimes build around theatre and the art world. I find it a perfect place to practice physically what I learn artistically. I've shaped models of boats and made canoes and have developed my carpentry skills working alongside my father, a Journeyman plumber. Using our skills to build pools and some homes in northern San Antonio area, I've made many failures and mistakes in my process before I ever made something I felt good about. This work makes me understand that this, along with everything else, is a process. Every time I try again, I develop a new perspective on my process. I learn where something didn't work and carefully plan my approach. Doing so has allowed me to complete and see through more fulfilled visions rather than half-thought ideas. I was able to implement this practice in my Digital Fabrications class taught by J.E. Johnson alongside Karen Maness and worked with a small team to help create a mini golf course that highlight common ecology on the UT campus. I spent the whole semester working on a mini-golf course hole and through the process was able to have my groups project in The Austin Statesman.]]> 2022-02-01 04:10:15 UTC https://padlet.com/ericr8346/w25rzvp42apqecir/wish/2022618437 About Mí ericr8346 https://padlet.com/ericr8346/w25rzvp42apqecir/wish/2182048931 My name is Eric Ramirez, for as long as I could remember, I’ve always wanted to make physical art and explored what that meant and looked like. In other words, I’d describe myself as a Maker. I’ve used my whole life so far as a canvas to decipher what it is about art that is so entrancing and gripping or if art is just something we subjectively hold value and substance to. In my trials, I’ve grown up as an artist picking up painting, photography, woodworking, music, percussion, playing in bands, and acting. In all this, the thing that always sticks out to me to was the actual act of making rather than the completion of a project. Physically doing and creating something, making art. I’ve contributed and haven’t limited myself to any and all art forms that I could possibly pick up to expand my limits of creation. In layman’s terms, you could say I’m a combination artist/handyman. Academically, I’ve explored what this meant at the Department of Theatre & Dance through Scenery Design and have helped create artistic moments through building sets, being a stage manager, acting and also exploring preservation and art history at The College of Fine Arts at UT Austin. Being here at UT has given me a sharp eye for detail and spotting integral meaning in artwork. I believe art is what makes us human and reminds us on what it means to feel. Despite all that I’ve learned, like many, I come from a background of hardship and want. Things I bear in mind as I create my own work and present what I find to not only the world, but the very close community that’s in front of me. My goal in making my art is that it’s accessible in every little facet from visibility, clarity, interpretation, and functionality. The way I look at is; Art should invigorate and also shouldn’t waste time. It’s important to understand all the different and non-understanding backgrounds that view and interpret our art. What we do and practice as artists has a historic, post-humorous, way of being treasured and preserved (or chastised) and I contribute that to the emotions it stimulates. So, shouldn’t we as artists put careful thought and intention into what we contribute to the art world? And to achieve this, I invite all types of abstract and practical approaches as tools, but I’d never want them to deviate from its goal as art. Which can’t exist without the viewer and their interpretation. 
In short, I like to think the thing about me is that I’ve never stopped wanting to make things.
]]> 2022-05-12 23:52:26 UTC https://padlet.com/ericr8346/w25rzvp42apqecir/wish/2182048931 Inspiration ericr8346 https://padlet.com/ericr8346/w25rzvp42apqecir/wish/2182080539 In one of my earlier posts, I had a video of two actors performing with a puppet and I mentioned how much it fascinated me because of how well I thought it captured that "theatre magic" and I thought during the semester of how and where I could apply that craft. Something that has always came into my mind was the short story Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. Briefly, its about man who under goes an surgery that increases his intelligence. I thought puppetry would work wonderfully here, as it captures all the perfect elements. I’ve spent time this semester in Madge Darlington’s Adaptations in Theatre and Dance class which has provided me the tools to be a better more thorough collaborator. Being in this course has helped me think through and consider all collaborative options and routes when refining an idea. This class has allowed me to even further my own thoughts and how to continuously develop as much as I can.
 
Not only has being in Darlington’s class help in construction of ideas, 
but the different sections in the PCP class like the Design section has also allowed me to step back and listen to my peers more while the dance section physically allowed me to step out of my own mental boundaries, any uncomfortably I had with myself dancing, I stopped worrying about. If I ever want to collaborate and devise a piece using these ideas I think would work, I'm going to use the lessons and memories I've taken in this semester
 
It's one thing to have an idea, but to be given momentum and the tools to better collaborate makes an idea truly exciting.
]]> 2022-05-13 00:25:44 UTC https://padlet.com/ericr8346/w25rzvp42apqecir/wish/2182080539 Practices In The World ericr8346 https://padlet.com/ericr8346/w25rzvp42apqecir/wish/2182141709 In my pursuits as an artist and in my struggles as a human, I’ve been able to continue working and continue creating despite all my time I may take away from school just to support myself and my education. I’ve had a difficult time finding validation for what I do as an artist and what I want to achieve with what I make. Despite my vision in what I see in my head for my future, there are many factors that continues t disillusion myself such as school, opinions, deadlines, expectations, and grades.
 
When the Pandemic happened, I really had no idea how I was going to finish school, I just couldn’t see it as feasible for me because of what I could only look back now on as fear. In other words, I lost all drive in me and I felt overall depleted. But, during my hiatus away from school, I used what I learned in my time on campus to find work on Paramount Picture’s “1883” where I helped in their art department constructing their set. Being able to attach myself to works like this always remind me of why I continue to pursue art and all the virtue and draw it encompasses
]]> 2022-05-13 01:18:50 UTC https://padlet.com/ericr8346/w25rzvp42apqecir/wish/2182141709 Practices Within School ericr8346 https://padlet.com/ericr8346/w25rzvp42apqecir/wish/2182147611 My groups final project where our mini-golf hole is designed to mimic waller creek, the bridge, and build-up that happens within the creek. Emphasizing the importance of cleaning our waters.]]> 2022-05-13 01:23:41 UTC https://padlet.com/ericr8346/w25rzvp42apqecir/wish/2182147611 Practices In The World. ericr8346 https://padlet.com/ericr8346/w25rzvp42apqecir/wish/2182157298 Clip from Paramount's "1883" showing room I help construct, paint, and set dressed this past summer.]]> 2022-05-13 01:31:21 UTC https://padlet.com/ericr8346/w25rzvp42apqecir/wish/2182157298