Investigation in Practice in Theatre - Essay Example

?Research in Practice Research in practice in theatre begins from a collaborative exploration of various developments that have occurred recently in theatre and it mainly focuses on practice based research as well as the work of a specific artist or a group of artists. Research in practice in theatre is communicative, reflective as well as experiential and it aims at creating ways through which individuals who are interested in visual arts and films can access the tacit knowledge about the creative processes of various artists. Individuals can access knowledge which helps in communication and reflection. Research in practice also leads to development of new information about devising processes and procedures that may make great contributions in theatre and also assist other theatre artists, pedagogues and scholars. Art is not only regarded as a means of communication but also of processing, gathering and identifying new knowledge (Beauchamp, 2010 p 3). This concept has led to the development of a new method of research where by the issues faced in theatre and artistic practice are investigated using methods that have been developed in the boundaries of the practice itself. This has made art to develop into a point of departure and it is no longer regarded as an object of research only. Development of theatre research in practice has led to a growing interest in tacit knowledge. Tacit knowledge is identified as knowledge of an artist which can be seen in skills and unformulated knowledge that emerge from the work of an artist. Research in practice is especially applied in arts practice in academic settings and it entails a wide category of research activities. Research in practice is carried out with the aim of achieving an arts related output, a research process which is entirely framed as an artistic practice or an arts project as an element of a research process drawing on various methods of research (Arlander, 2009 p 15). Research may usually begin or end in a form of arts practice. It may also draw on various art practices as a part of the process of research or may even be integrated as a whole into the changing forms and outputs of an art project. Practices of art incorporate various creative methodologies that may be used in different disciplines of research projects as methodological innovations therefore coming up with new information and providing new perspectives on the available knowledge. Research in practice will also make use of a different kind of knowledge practice therefore improving the creativity of artists and other individuals in art practices. Research in practice enables individuals to understand processes, functions and roles that various practices play in the field of art. An understanding of the cultural, political as well as philosophical practices will enable individuals to explore art through practice. Practicing art is an important way through which individuals can understand art and other forms of cultural practices in different countries. The process of making art plays a huge role in generating new ideas and perspectives that will enable in understanding of a wide range of cultural and social phenomena which involves community, narrative, identity, space, transformation, time as well as testimony. Research in practice therefore privileges action as an important aspect of learning and developing new knowledge. In theatre, research in practice usually involves various artist researchers who explore, test and also spread different creative methodologies in different contexts. This makes it possible to explore how different interventions relate with each other. Research in practice can therefore be said to be a creative intervention of understanding the world. Artistic research has various effects on individuals as it may change their views and perspectives regarding important aspects about art. Research in practice is identified as a term that was developed to describe knowledge production that originates from the concerns of different artists. Artistic research is mainly associated with research that takes place in academies of fine arts as well as within visual arts. Visual arts are understood in a broad concept and it entails different creative practices. Research in practice therefore aims at contributing to the development of research methodologies in the field of visual and performing arts so as to foster their ecological, social as well as pedagogical connections in the society. Research in practice has special features as it is capable of identifying itself in its own set up. Collective reflection and cooperative action may contribute towards developing knowledge and the role and definition of participants or the observers can make great contributions in the research arrangements (Hardwick and Stray, 2009 p 114). Research in theatre is an ongoing theatrical practice and it focuses on the contradicting demands of distance and proximity, observation and involvement as well as advocacy and objective analysis. Professional theatre is usually targeted at different audiences. Adults and even children could take part in theatre through acting or being spectators at theatre presentations. Audience in theatre can be composed of different individuals who gather to appreciate the work of artists. Artists are also willing to create and perform art to individuals who have a desire of understanding art. There is however a great need of recognizing theatre for all kinds of audiences especially so the young adults. This emergence of a new audience in theatre is accompanied with many cultural and social changes as they have also made great contributions for the emergence of a reconsideration of young adults in the socio- political mosaic. Recognition for young adults in theatre led to a renewed interest in pedagogical and educational approaches. Great need of recognizing all audiences was brought to light by artists who knew that art was a means through which individuals can understand one another and that it was also a means of self expression. This is regarded as an important aspect for individuals who have a growing knowledge of the important function of art and theatre as well a great respect for art and young adults. Artists have been given the mandate of suggesting new forms, styles and other ways of appreciating art through research as they are believed to be creative individuals. Research in practice constantly requires development of new skills and tools to be used in research since the theatre is dynamic. Theatre research in practice depends on experimentation and requires artists to be committed for them to generate new knowledge. Theater research is an ongoing theatrical practice. The great need for culture and art is connected with research where perception about reality is momentarily opened. Many groups have been formed by artists with the aim of creating a different kind of theatre that would differ from the others in terms of writing, acting and directing styles. This different type of theatre will bring about changes in the whole field of theatre production. These changes will develop alternative methods of doing theatre and will also lead to a reconsideration and reorganization of the work of artists. Most of the new theatre groups will be collectives as members will make decisions on a collective basis. The idea of collective decision making is important in theatre because the economic, social and political implications keep changing over the years but the idea still remains to be the most important artistic structure that artists in theatre will have developed. Research in practice enables artistes to gain a better understanding on various phenomenons and also obliges the artists to embed theoretical reflections in practical contexts. Artists will also be able to explore the potential relationship between the audience as art students and theatre as a form of art. Most of the audiences in theatre usually have a great desire of understanding art and the works of different artists. This will enable them to understand artists’ motivation and the messages they are trying to pass on to other individuals in the society at large. Practicing art also enables artists to know their audience better and they can also acquaint themselves with their specific vision of the world. This will assist artists to become more creative and they will improve their own creative writing. Theatre research can be categorized as boundary work in two different directions. Research is carried out in the borderline that exists between academic world and the world of art. Questions, results and topics of the research in practice will be analyzed and judged and have great meaning in both worlds of academics and art. Theatre research tends to differ from the traditional academic research, whose validity and relevance is usually determined within the worlds of learning institutions and community of individuals. This image of academic research is however changing and individuals view traditional academic research differently. The debate on the relevance of traditional academic research, recognition of non- traditional research methods and the development of trans-disciplinary programs of research methodologies have shown that it is upon the society and the academics to accept academic research to be a valid method of knowledge production. Quality of the academic research is determined by a group of artists and other individuals will also contribute in decision making. This will be important because judgment of research in practice in theatre resides in the academic community of various artists. Research in practice in theatre has led to development of new knowledge through the means of practicing as well as the outcomes of the same practices. Originality and contribution to knowledge in theatre has been demonstrated through creativity especially in the forms of designs, performances, exhibitions as well as music. Research in theatre has taken the nature of practice as its main focus. Research is mainly carried out by artists and it has given rise to new ideas and concepts ingeneration of original knowledge. Research in practice has been identified to be different from pure research. Most practitioners carry out research as an important part of their daily practices. Developing new techniques and perspectives is an important aspect in each practice. However, this research will be directed towards achieving individual goals at that particular moment rather that adding and creating new ideas to individuals in a general sense. Research in practice aims at generating cultural apprehensions that enable artists and individual observers of theatre art to have a clear understanding of art and other people’s cultures. (Borody and Prendergast, 2010 p 7). A creative output can be developed or practice can be undertaken as an important part of the research process. Outcomes of practice should be followed by a clear documentation of the research process and textual analyses that will support its position and demonstrate reflection. In visual arts, research in practice emphasizes on creative processes and all new ideas that will generate from the creative process. The artifact makes great contributions in understanding new practices that arise (Arlander, 2009 p 20). During the past century, evolutionary changes have been experienced in the field of arts. Current theoretical and historical research addresses the importance of aesthetic, social and economic importance of theatre arts for the twentieth century history. In a new century, visual arts and new forms of design, performance and contemporary art act as challenges to theatre as new form of representation have to be adapted. The global reach of the arts industries challenge individuals to understand how theatre is changing the understanding of the society and peoples cultures as well as methods through which experience and knowledge of different cultures is conveyed through art. Through various disciplinary approaches, research in practice in arts studies is regarded as the main foundation for a wider concern in the visual culture. Original vision of visual arts, which in the past recognized the inter-relatedness of mixed media, design, video, architecture as well as installation art in visual and performing arts, presently proves to be prescient. The past decade has witnessed a strong intellectual and institutional convergence between film theory and history on one hand, and philosophy and history of art and study of space in its cultural aspect on the other. Convergence of the different aspects of art has been brought about by an idea of visual art that integrates three research perspectives. These perspectives include theoretical, object-based and institutional research perspectives. An object- based research perspective entails the visual media and its interrelationships. This perspective identifies the common aspects between visual media and the theories which accompany them. Its main concern is in spatial media that is created in two or three dimensional environments and also time- based spatial arts. A theoretical perspective is identified as the philosophical interrogation of the nature of visuality and vision mostly in its cinema forms while an institutional perspective is one characterized by the development of visual studies as a cross- disciplinary and international approach to research. Theatre is regarded as one of the oldest forms through which cultures are expressed. Theatre continues to change due to changing political, social and cultural landscapes. These changes make theatre to develop new forms, new sites, new subject matter as well as new audience as it tries to offer explanations to the issues being faced in the current world which may include globalization, environment or the cultural diasporas (Bay-Cheng, et. al, 2011 p 236). The main aim of research in practice is to create an understanding of theatre and performance to assist individuals to make interpretive and creative judgements based on the art they encounter. This will also enable individuals to generate a better understanding of the society and different cultures in the society. Research is based on rigorous involvement with historical aspects of theatre, theoretical reflections, key artists and a great belief that theatre and performance not only takes place in traditional theatre buildings but also on the streets in rituals and cities and in spaces that are imagined, real or virtual. Various changes have taken place in theatre due to changes that are taking place in different aspects of the society. In the past, masked productions were an important aspect of theatrical performance. Masked productions enabled the audience to experience characters that were alive as their feelings, thoughts and actions were visible (Hardwick and Stray, 2010 p 272). In modern practices in theatre artists mask and body matter for the possibilities in creativity they create for the present. Research in practice is very important as it explores such potential in the field of art through extensive experimentation. Practical research can deepen individuals understanding of masked acting as it tends to produce a creative interplay between the present and past. Art is a representation of various life and world elements as it creates and provides meaning about societal issues that will be interpreted by the audience according to individual understanding. Artists will utilize different techniques to pass messages to the audience and the techniques may be subtle or distinctively clear. Some artists may explore identity through sculptures which may resemble characters and behaviors of individuals. Other artists may explore identity through techniques such as photo montage. Individual and collaborative research is encouraged as this is viewed as an effective mechanism of creating a visual arts research agenda in education. The research efforts will also improve education in visual arts in all educational levels and environments where learning and teaching about visual and film studies take place. Access to research is regarded as an important need as it will lead to development of new ideas and will encourage creativity in this field. Research in practice will encourage individuals to participate, read and put into practice new ideas as this will encourage a shared understanding of visual arts within the society. Visual arts education continues to gain recognition in the fields of visual culture, community and museum arts as well as material culture. Artists should be capable of identifying research that will be necessary for their personal growth and that the same time support and encourage learning in visual arts. Research in practice is very complex in nature as theatre and visual arts have many interrelated facets. Artists therefore need to locate effective mechanisms of facilitating and disseminating research that will have positive impacts in improving learning of art in all contexts of education (National Art Education Association, 2009 p 2). Research in practice is a practitioner based inquiry where by artists will investigate challenges using strategies grounded in the arts and conform to methods of research. This research tends to provide understanding of visual arts and theatre and eliminates the assumption of many individuals who believe theatre does not constitute various aspects of study. Research involves a process of analysis, explanation and reflection of the meaning of the works of different artists. An artist becomes an expert in his field as he is able to develop meaning to various phenomena. This provides a basis for making judgements about changes taking place in theatre. Theatre research in practice brings together the rigorous and systematic qualities of theatre with the imaginative and artistic qualities of visual arts. This ensures the process of research becomes more creative and responsive and it will provide adequate data of the various art forms (Sullivan, 2004 p 61). An important outcome of research in practice is that it exposed artists to new and different ideas in the field of theatre. Artists will be opened up to different artistes form other regions, countries and practices. Artistes will be able to travel to other regions where they will freelance and propose artistic projects that are related to their own creativity. The concept of theatre as a component of performance art created new strength and co- conception came up as anew perspective in art. Co- conception is defined as efforts of different mature artists who have advanced skills and are highly creative. These artists can design a piece of theatre in a process of intensive interaction of art forms and languages. Co- conception is a process through which different artists meet to collectively create a theater. The process usually involves receptiveness to the influences of movement, images, light, color as well as objects. It ca therefore be said to be a conception of theatrical objects by different skilled artists who have specialized in different aspects of theatre and they work collectively. These kinds of productions in theatre usually lead to development of strong scripts, acting composition, management and designs as this is regarded as an aspect which makes theatrical performances to be more interesting and will attract large crowds of audience. Conclusion Research in practice is an important aspect in theatre and visual arts but the levels that will ensure full dimensions of knowledge about arts has not yet been achieved. A greater research capacity that provides various options for inquiry is needed as this will enable individuals to understand art and the methods used by artists to pass information to the audience. Despite the great ability of individuals to access information that may cause them to develop different perspectives about theatrical performances, there are very few changes within the society that may act as challenges to conceptions of art. Visual art and theatre still make great contributions to an understanding of everyday reality. Visual arts are regarded as significant forms that promote human knowing. Theatre is also regarded as a form of living art. It is identified to be organic in its initial stages of development as it is produced and created by living individuals who continue to transform as a result of new knowledge which emerges from research. Theatre is therefore regarded as the closest form to life compared to other types of art. References Arlander, A. (2009). Colloquium on Artistic Research in Performing Arts. Viewed from http://files.teatterikorkeakoulu.fi/carpa/CARPA_1_proceedings.pdf [Accessed 31 August, 2012] Bay-Cheng, S, Kattenbelt, C, Lavender, A and Nelson, R. (2011). Mapping Intermediality in Performance. Amsterdam University Press: Amsterdam. Beauchamp, H. (2010). Theatre Research as (Theatrical) Practice: Recognizing Theatre For Young Audiences. Viewed from http://journals.hil.unb.ca/index.php/tric/article/view/7225/8284 [Accessed 31 August, 2012] Borody, C. and Prendergast, M. (2010). Canadian Journal of Practice-based Research in Theater. Viewed from http://cjprt.uwinnipeg.ca/index.php/cjprt [Accessed 31 August, 2012] Hardwick, L. and Stray, C. (2010). A Companion to Classical Reception. John Wiley & Sons: West Sussex, UK. Hughes, J. and Sjoberg, J. (). Practice as Research. Viewed from http://www.methods.manchester.ac.uk/methods/practiceasresearch/index.shtml [Accessed 31 August, 2012] National Art Education Association. (2009). Creating a Visual Arts Education Research Agenda for the 21st Century: Encouraging Individuals and Collaborative Research. Viewed from http://www.arteducators.org/research/NAEA_Research_Agenda_December2008.pdf [Accessed 31 August, 2012] Sullivan, G. (2004). Art Practice as Research: Inquiry in the Visual Arts. SAGE: London, UK. Read More