Okay.. I already told some of epeeps last night about one course that I'm intended to take for this semester. Well, I'm being lazy and haven't made any work for this Summer. But, I know I have to do a lot of work because it is going to be my thesis year. So, these days, I'm trying to get motivated, so try to look up a lot of courses in Art side and Media side. Then, I found out one interesting course in Art side which called "Graduate Photo Seminar" and I thought it could be fit on my directed electives for MFA fullfillment requirements. Well, I need to get critiques for my work from different perspective side. But, I was little wish-wash about this, so I called a Photo grad student and asked him about the course. He said, the professor can make you cry and it's very hard whatever. But, he recommend that course if I want to have good critiques and it doesn't really matter although I'm not a photo student. They, actually all photo faculty, paticipate in and talk about all kind of works such as video art, installation, painting and so on. Hum.. sounds good to me.
So, I emailed the professor and asked him about the course. Here the emails are between he and I.
Dear, ******
My name is Soyeon Jung and I'm a graduate student in the Department of Media Study.
I'm considering to take your course called " Graduate Photo Seminar." But, since I'm not a photo student, I'm little worried if the course is okay for non-major students. So, I want to know about the course in detail. I'm a video student and do multi-media artwork.
Thank you.
Soyeon Jung.
After emailing him, I went out to a bar with Liz and Julie. Of course, we talked about courses what we are taking for this semester. I told Julie that I signed up for "grad photo seminar" and then, Julie said.. oh no.. the professor is very serious and he wouldn't let media students take the course easily. Then, I got really scared.
Then, I got his email back today. Here it is.
Mr. Jung,
Sorry but the Graduate Photo Seminar is a very intensive critique for Photo MFA's and not at all suitable for people who are not working at the same intensive level of art making.
Oh no. Now I'm a boy student. Okay.. that's understandable if he isn't familier with Asian names, but what is it? "the same intensive level of art making"? He even doesn't know my work and who I am. Then, I was thinking of how I'm going to write him back again. And I called the photo student I asked about the course again. He said, don't even bother to take the course because it is probably not necessary for my work whatever. Hello.. no.. I heard that he is a good teacher. What is that.? He just assumed Media students don't make high intensive level of art making.? Hum.
So, I emailed him back again. Here it is.
Dear, ****.
It sounds very interesting to me because this year is going to be my thesis year in the MFA program in DMS, so I need a very intensive critique that can help my concept and my work. Since contemporary art has been getting much more like an interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary, I don't see why the photo camera lens can be distinguished from the video camera lens. As a video art student, I want to have some significant opinions about my work from different perspective that can push me. I'm now in the
sanctuary of learning so that I have to learn as much as I can. This is the reason why I want to take your
co
urse. Also, some of Art MFA students recommend that I should take your course, which actually caused me to determine.
I don't know, I already signed up for your course last night (that isn't closed for non-major on the website) and I was very excited, but at the same time I was scared too. Is there any way that I can take your course or I should drop it.? I'm willing to talk to you about this more if you want. Please let me know.
Thank you.
Soyeon Jung
PS: Actully, I'm a female student.
And, I was excited to see what's gonna happen, of course I got really scared too.
Finally I got his email back when I came back from hanging out some epeeps.
Here it is.
Ms. Jung,
I agree with you on there being little or no distinction between the still and motion camera as photographic processes in terms of artistic validity and our ability to critically engage them in common. We would be happy to have you join us provided that your work is up to the high standards of the photo MFA students and that you are willing and able to "keep up with the pack" and be prepared to regularly produce and present new work and enter the high level of discourse that is the basis for the seminar. A sincere and dedicated work ethic is the key to participation in this process. Accordingly, please consider your acceptance provisional and your first presentation next Friday as and audition for participation. The seminar is conducted by the entire photography faculty: myself, Prof. ***,, Prof. **** and Associate Dean *****. The final grade is collectively agreed upon by the faculty. As stated, our first meeting will be on Friday, Sept 4 and we will develop a meeting schedule according to our needs (i.e. after the first couple of meetings we will probably need to meet only every other week). Be prepared at the first meetings to present a summary of your work (showing clips of your best prior work and your current projects). Also be prepared to discuss the conceptual basis for your work as well as any theoretical concerns. Part and parcel of this seminar will be to develop a comprehensive artists statement that can be used for proposals and grants, etc. See you next Friday.
P.S. If you have further questions and concerns my office is at ****** and I will be around (but in and out of the office) during most of Monday and Wednesday.
Wow. oh my god. I'm very scared. I should've done this or.. I don't know. I have to work right now. I have to have my theoretical concerns and high level of artwork, otherwise I can be kicked out of the course. Presentation..? I don't know.. I get always shy to talk in front of people in the classes, even I can't verbalize some theorical things. I don't know..
Wish me a luck.
