From our first seminar session with Rob we were asked to read a chapter on 'The open work'; here is the reference, Eco.U, (1989). The open work. Cambridge,Mass: Harvard university press. We were told to discuss the text in groups to see what our peers opinions were on the text; we then summarised the text which is shown below...
"A piece of work can be open, usually more contemporary, as well as being closed. Closed because its seen as complete and has a certain origin, but open in the sense that its open for interpretation from the audience with infinite outcomes. Open means a piece of work is not defined by a fact and can go in any direction. Closed, is usually more of the traditional older works of art, is where the art form is under instruction with a clear direction. There is only one definition or interpretation that can be took. Open and closed contradict each other but is also considered as a contemporary way of looking at their relationship".
In this session we went round the groups and listened to what other groups had came up with; the key skill of the session was to listen, think and then interpret. Which in a way is what an open work is really in my opinion it is something that is unfinished or finished and is open to interpretation. Afterwards we were presented with three questions to think about;
Thoughts on the open work?
All work is open, the openers depends on whose interpreting it.
In what way do you think open works are poetic?
This question I found difficult to answer by just the addition of 'poetic' to the question so for this one I just listened to the responses of others in the seminar.
How would you contextualise the open work to your practice?
In terms of my practice currently I'm looking into the meaning of lyrics and emoji's so I guess these are both open to interpretation from their audiences.
Then were asked to create a list of key words that would inform my position on the understanding of the text and here are my words below
- symbolism
- poetic
- perspective
- interpretation
- semiotics
- motif
- contemporary
- performer
- traditional
- open/closed
- finite/infinite
- reader response
- culture
- experience
- perception
- consumer
Rob has set up and online chat forum where as a seminar group we are able to discuss our thoughts further. This gives people a chance to write their opinions if they aren't that comfortable speaking in a large group of people etc. I had never thought about a piece of work being 'open' before so this seminar has made me more aware on how a piece of work is interpreted and in a way it has made me consider the fact that people from different origins and background will interpret a piece in a different way so this should be considered in my own practice.
