We started off this lecture by looking at Frayling's lines of argument. One of which being that research = old territory - correlative cliches and stereotypes. An example was given as the case of Picasso, as he was interested in visual intention aimed at producing a work and did not feel comfortable verbalising work, showing that the artist isn't interested in the business of unambiguous (objective) communication and the artwork is expressive and a new work is about personal development.
A second line of argument covered was looking at research as process, 'pragmatic' - correlative cliches/ stereotypes such the cinematic portrayal of 'Artist'. One example given was 'Lust for Life' a film made in 1956 about Vincent Van Gogh played by Kirk Douglas, and then discussed was how there wouldn't ever be a popular film about a non-expressive artist like Mondrian because there needs to be 'insanity'.
Following on from this the stereotype of the designer was covered. We started by considering the pre-1980s 'Designer Boffin', which had a strong presence in war and sci-fi films. Here, designing = pragmatic doing, an almost 'designer scientist'. We then looked at the late 80s designer = (product of style TV shows - satarised by Chris Morris and Charlie Brooker in the TV series 'Nathan Barley'. Designers portrayed as style obsessed, considers images, styles and signs and always in search of the latest thing.
Discussed next was the portrayal of research scientists - the fictional scientist presented as deranged, diabolical, 'over reaches', examples being Dr Faustus, Jekyll, Frankenstein (sinners) or the saints presented as critical and rationalists - real-life scientist, humanitarian, logical, clarity -> the critical rationalist stereotype has been attacked in the last 30 years.
Frayling's Three distinctions of research, 1993
Research (in to)
Art + Design
Close to humanities, historical or aesthetic research. All about concepts.
Research (through)
Art + Design
Applied research in to materials. Diaristic account of studio experimentation.
Research (for)
Art + Design
Picasso regards as 'thorny one'. Work intended to speak for itself.
Frayling terms 'Actions Research'.
End product = artefact and documentation of process/influence as well as reflection on process.
