Here is my response to the challenge to offer suggestions for drawing
research.
I propose that an investigation into the terminology used to describe
drawing activity would be a promising line of enquiry.
The vocabulary used to talk about drawing activity is rich and varied,
sometimes appearing to be a medley of terms borrowed from other disciplines.
Just as we are prepared to use any graphic tactics that work to convey the
idea, so it seems different terminologies are used as and when they meet the
need,without an underlying system. It may be that this usage represents a
form of artistic colloquialism, as opposed to a specialist language.
Insights into several issues may arise as a result of such a project, for
example:
How do artists tend to describe their work and its processes, what exactly
is the commonality and what are the variances within it?
What kind of terms best transfer concepts from the visual into the verbal
mode?
Are there interesting parallels between terms used in analogous disciplines,
for example between drawing and dance ?
Could a study of the language used by drawers reveal the nature of artists
awareness of current theory.
Does using the working language of another discipline influence research
methods and concepts in the drawing domain?
Is a fresh language developing around drawing? if a particular language
already exist, is it yet to be moved into the broader arena?
Probably many of those involved in drawing already know the answers to these
question, but it might be interesting to see such a discussion rounded up
and documented.
Katrinka Wilson
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