First, let me explain that a Triad is a form of peer-based critique. Three students participate, one is the Speaker, one the Listener and one the Observer. The Speaker talks for ten minutes (no more, no less) about their work, outlining history, concepts and issues they may be having with it. Then the Listener gives feedback for ten minutes (again, no more or less), responding to what the Speaker has said, perhaps asking questions about the work and giving comments, suggestions, opinions and advice. The Observer then comments for five minutes on the Listener’s feedback, using a predefined list of terms to indicate whether the session was Helpful, Unhelpful or Inspiring. A Tutor observes the whole thing and comments at the end.
So, Monday was our first Triad. I worked with Morgan, a first year like me, who is interested in process art, a movement where the process of creating the artwork is more important than the finished product, and with Allie, a second year photographer whose undergraduate degree is in English. Her project entails trying to communicate the themes, imagery and issues in Virginia Woolf’s play-poem¬†The Waves visually.
Myself, I am working on a series of sculptures that explore the human/animal divide, using masks as a semi-interactive medium.
Since this was our first Triad and Morgan and I were both new and totally uncertain as to what were were to do, it was really little more than an ice-breaker. We all were positive and fairly polite, and unfortunately not terribly critical. John, the tutor, explained that part of the reason for the Triad was to prepare for teaching, and that we all should be more critical. He also understood that as peers who are really just starting out, it is difficult to come in, see someone’s work this early in the process and be critical of it without really knowing the boundaries yet.
Ah well, so it goes. I think we all managed to get something out if it, even if it was only to have some questions raised or ideas clarified about our own work, and to be exposed to the others’ work.
I think that next time we will be much more secure in our situations and will be able to be more critical and hopefully more helpful.