Yale MFA student kicked out
Modern Art Notes included this in its last Friday Links post:
The students' role in critiques is to distance themselves enough from their work so that they can participate with the faculty in deconstructing it and discussing its perceived merits and deficiencies. Ideally the student is simultaneously open to criticisms and ideas and firm & pushing back where appropriate.
Graduate students need to maintain their voice, integrity, & vision while genuinely considering the given feedback. This ideal is a tall order and its not uncommon for graduate students to be too obstinate or too accommodating (or waver between the two).
A student who too closely follows professors' advice isn't learning to be an artist--s/he's learning to be an artist's assistant. And the artwork will suffer because it will look like it's being pulled in six different directions.
When I was in graduate school my fellow students would occasionally complain about the feedback given by one professor during a studio visit was exactly opposite of another professor's opinion. I always enjoyed those situations because it indicated to me that there was no "right" answer and I could simply use my best judgment. In contrast, when every professor is in agreement about where an artwork is falling short, the student should really sit up and take note (& action).
For those who are interested in this topic, I'd recommend the The Critique Handbook by Kendall Buster & Paula Crawford. It really should be required reading for everyone entering an MFA program (though it is a bit pricey at $33 for 150 text-only pages).
Related post: How to Apply to a Studio Art MFA Program
A Yale MFA student was kicked out of school because she "listened too much to her instructors' advice?"That does sound ridiculous, but it makes perfect sense to me. The interactions between MFA students and their professors is an odd one and can be frustrating/mystifying to those involved who do not fully understand the format & goals.
The students' role in critiques is to distance themselves enough from their work so that they can participate with the faculty in deconstructing it and discussing its perceived merits and deficiencies. Ideally the student is simultaneously open to criticisms and ideas and firm & pushing back where appropriate.
Graduate students need to maintain their voice, integrity, & vision while genuinely considering the given feedback. This ideal is a tall order and its not uncommon for graduate students to be too obstinate or too accommodating (or waver between the two).
A student who too closely follows professors' advice isn't learning to be an artist--s/he's learning to be an artist's assistant. And the artwork will suffer because it will look like it's being pulled in six different directions.
When I was in graduate school my fellow students would occasionally complain about the feedback given by one professor during a studio visit was exactly opposite of another professor's opinion. I always enjoyed those situations because it indicated to me that there was no "right" answer and I could simply use my best judgment. In contrast, when every professor is in agreement about where an artwork is falling short, the student should really sit up and take note (& action).
For those who are interested in this topic, I'd recommend the The Critique Handbook by Kendall Buster & Paula Crawford. It really should be required reading for everyone entering an MFA program (though it is a bit pricey at $33 for 150 text-only pages).
Related post: How to Apply to a Studio Art MFA Program
Labels: education
posted by Ethan at
9:05 AM
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