Dear FVAs:
We are now exactly one week away from Orientation Day 2012. Except that this time the Student Representative Council (SRC) has made it into an Orientation Week, like UNB-Fredericton, SMU and NSCAD (the school I'll be attending this year) do, along with other universities and colleges across the country. As someone who barely knew which way was up during her time as an FVA ('09 - '10), I'm kind of jealous of you guys. When I did FVA, all we had was Orientation Day, where we met our academic adviser (go Blue Group and Adam MacDonald!) and that person showed us around, where things were in the school, where the best coffee is (most NBCCD-types go to Read's), where Endeavours--another art supply store--is, took us to the basement photo studio where Photo Studio tech Jeff Crawford took our photos for our school ID (mine was one of my least favourite photos of me, due to the fact that by that point I was completely worn out and could barely muster the energy to smile), and then took us to the registrar's office to get tuition paid. After that, we had to be up and at 'em bright and early for class the next day. So while I appreciated O-Day, and the school did it's best to welcome us (thanks, Adam), it was far from the ideal welcome that UNB exhibited (I went to some of their O-Week events that year).
I have no idea what the SRC has planned for you guys, but I know it's going to be awesome--because NBCCD is awesome.
Once O-Week is over, the reality of college will probably slap you in the face. A word of caution: watch out for Week #3 in both semesters (the weeks of September 12, '12 and January 23, '13): once you're through the third week, you'll have a good idea of what the rest of the semester's going to be like. And remember: if you're having problems of any sort, talk to your teachers, your academic adviser or the counsellor on the fourth floor of Building A. Especially your teachers and academic adviser: they're there to help, not just shove knowledge down your throat (which is how it felt for me during the first semester). They won't bite. Promise. You'll also have a mandatory meeting with your academic adviser during the Fall semester. They'll want to see how you're doing, whether or not you're having any problems and help you resolve those issues, be they stress, workload, adjusting to the school, etc. Take advantage of their knowledge: a lot of the teachers have been at the school for ten or more years, so they know the ropes. Some, like Drew Gilbert and Karen Ruet, both of whom teach in the Photography studio and both of whom are FVA academic advisers, are NBCCD alumni, so they know what it's like to be a student at this school.
I wish you the very best, hope you won't get too stressed (but if you do, as my mom would say, breathe), and hope you'll survive to the end of April '13 and be able to say that you did. When the year is over, you'll have lots of stories to tell your friends and family--and kids, if you have them some day. You'll be bruised and scarred, but if you're anything like me, you'll be proud of every one of those invisible wounds. You'll be able to say that you can survive anything.
Love,
Annapurna
FVA Class of '10, Photography Diploma Class of '12, NSCAD Photography BFA Class of '13
Showing posts with label FVA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FVA. Show all posts
Friday, August 17, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Graduation Day
Saturday was convocation--the first I've ever gone to.
That morning, I rolled out of bed at about 7:30. Since I planned to eat and do my makeup in the car, all I had to do was make and drink my coffee, get dressed, grab a couple things, put on my shoes and head out the door. I'd planned to snooze in the car, but that ended up not happening.
Prior to the afternoon's events, we had a rehearsal. Jan Brooks (FVA studio head) was in charge. She spent a lot of the rehearsal telling us individually where we were to sit. The Photogs were in the third row. Jan also told us how to enter the auditorium (half of us were to enter the auditorium on the right aisle, the other half on the left aisle, and file into our seat rows in alternating directions: first row entered on the left, second on the right, third on the left, etc.), how to accept our certificates or diplomas (one row at a time lines up along the right wall and one by one we walk up the stairs to the stage, hand the studio head a card that has our names, any awards/scholarships we've won and honours--if the student attained a 3.3 or higher GPA during the final year of their program--proceed to Michael, shake hands with him while he switches the mortarboard tassel from the right to the left, go to the academic dean, Keith McAlpine, shake hands with him and accept your certificate or diploma and then walk down the stairs on the left side, up the left aisle and back to your seat), and went over the routine with one of the rows.
As Jan was calling our names, Peter came up to where I was sitting. He asked whether I'd heard from NSCAD about my updated credit situation. I haven't. He said that no one else who applied from NBCCD had heard from NSCAD, either. Grr...
In the last two years, I've noticed that NBCCD has upped their efforts to include more vegetarian options when they supply food for us students, and lunch was no different. In addition to having the usual pepperoni pizza, they also had a veggie pizza.
Over lunch, we got our gowns, sashes (aqua for FVAs, gold for diplomas and maroon for Advanced Studies) and mortarboards. It was only then that I realized that I'd forgotten the $30 that I needed to give them (refunded at the end of the day). I was ready to call Mom, but they let it go. Yay for small schools (bigger ones like U of Guelph, where Tom earned his B.Sc., and which looks like a town about the size of St. Stephen on Google Earth, probably wouldn't be as likely to let something like that slide)!
We spent the rest of the time before the ceremony waiting. I put on my robe, sash and mortarboard fairly early, mostly because I was excited: this was the first time I'd ever worn graduation garb.
Jan then had us line up in two groups and took us to the foyer, where we waited some more. Eventually we filed into the auditorium. And there was Peter, onstage, playing a jazzy number on a grand piano. One of the Ceramics grads, Melissa LeBlanc, sang O Canada en Français. I sang along in English.
Two women from the Maliseet First Nation sang a prayer, and then John McLaughlin (chairman of the NBCCD advisory council) officially opened the convocation. The Honourable Martine Coulombe (Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour) delivered the welcome from the provincial government. Michael spoke, and then they got on to the business of handing out certificates and diplomas.
The studio heads read our names, honours and awards (if applicable), and we went through the process of having our tassels flipped from the left to the right and getting our certificates or diplomas. Peter spoke about how graduation is like giving your child away, sending them out into the world--which doesn't surprise me, given how close-knit the college is.
When my turn came, I took a deep breath before climbing the steps to the stage: this was it. This was the culmination of two years spent happily slaving away in the photo studio. Two years of learning, discovering, howling with laughter, listening to music, being stressed out of my mind during finals, being teased by my teachers, joking with classmates, spending hundreds of hours at the school, printing lots of photos on the Epson printer, spending hours in the darkroom (and coming out with my hands smelling of photo chemicals) and, oh, yeah, going to class.
I then walked up the steps, handed the card with my name on it to Peter; walked over to Michael, shook his hand, had my tassel flipped left-to-right; walked over to Keith, accepted my diploma, shook hands with him and walked off stage--all with a huge smile on my face.
After all the certificates and diplomas had been handed out, Audrée Hamelin-St-Amour received the Governer General's Medal, and then our valedictorian, Spencer Corbett (Fashion Design), gave his speech. Michael talked about what the Student Representative Council (SRC) accomplished this past year, and the changes that have been happening at the college.
Keith presented the college fellow to Anne Reynolds. Michael spoke again, and then the students marched back out of the auditorium, followed by everyone else.
By the time I came out of the auditorium, the reception area was already filled with people, and it continued to fill up even more over the next several minutes. I looked for Mom and Tom and eventually found them. Tom took several photos of me (alone and with Mom). Eventually I took my gown and sash back (I got to keep the cap).
We then headed over to Memorial Hall, where the grad show is. I talked with some of my classmates and introduced my parents to Trudy Gallagher. We talked, Tom took photos, and Trudy mentioned once again how good my business plan was. I also chatted briefly with Mitch Kavanaugh (the store manager), and mentioned how I had wanted to say good-bye to him on my last day back in April, and gave him a hug.
Mom, Tom and I left after about an hour and drove home (I wore my mortarboard most of the way), where I popped the cork on a bottle of Asti. We had supper (some pad thai and veggie patties that Mom got at the market). Mom and Tom spent much of the evening sleeping. I was more than a bit tired myself.
When I finally went to bed, the fact that the chapter of my life known as NBCCD was now really and truly over--and that there was no going back--hit me, and I cried for a bit. I guess I'm not quite as used to life post-NBCCD as I thought--and even April twenty-sixth, bittersweet as it was, didn't give me enough closure. I also choked up several times during the ceremony.
Today I'm almost feeling normal after spending yesterday doing virtually nothing due to exhaustion (I was running on fumes by eleven last night).
And now, my final letter to the FVA Class of '12 (just so you know, even though I'll be at NSCAD I will continue the series next year: I will probably always have a massive case of NBCCD Pride):
Dear FVAs:
This year, I neglected to write a letter at the end of the spring semester. And then I decided to hold off deliberately, as I knew graduation was in a couple months.
Congratulations: you survived FVA! Though probably not without a few bumps and scrapes. I still bear the bruises and scars that I earned in my FVA year--but I'm proud of every single one, as I learned from them all. I learned about college, and I learned about myself as an artist and a person. I hope you guys had a similar experience.
I hope you've applied for the diploma program: after FVA, it only gets better. To any future Photogs reading this: I can't begin to tell you how awesome the studio and faculty are--and how indescribably funny the studio head, Peter Gross, is. I'm going to miss that guy...
Once again, congratulations. I'm ridiculously proud of you guys.
Love,
Annapurna
FVA Class of '10, Photography Diploma Class of '12, NSCAD Photography BFA Class of '13
That morning, I rolled out of bed at about 7:30. Since I planned to eat and do my makeup in the car, all I had to do was make and drink my coffee, get dressed, grab a couple things, put on my shoes and head out the door. I'd planned to snooze in the car, but that ended up not happening.
Prior to the afternoon's events, we had a rehearsal. Jan Brooks (FVA studio head) was in charge. She spent a lot of the rehearsal telling us individually where we were to sit. The Photogs were in the third row. Jan also told us how to enter the auditorium (half of us were to enter the auditorium on the right aisle, the other half on the left aisle, and file into our seat rows in alternating directions: first row entered on the left, second on the right, third on the left, etc.), how to accept our certificates or diplomas (one row at a time lines up along the right wall and one by one we walk up the stairs to the stage, hand the studio head a card that has our names, any awards/scholarships we've won and honours--if the student attained a 3.3 or higher GPA during the final year of their program--proceed to Michael, shake hands with him while he switches the mortarboard tassel from the right to the left, go to the academic dean, Keith McAlpine, shake hands with him and accept your certificate or diploma and then walk down the stairs on the left side, up the left aisle and back to your seat), and went over the routine with one of the rows.
As Jan was calling our names, Peter came up to where I was sitting. He asked whether I'd heard from NSCAD about my updated credit situation. I haven't. He said that no one else who applied from NBCCD had heard from NSCAD, either. Grr...
In the last two years, I've noticed that NBCCD has upped their efforts to include more vegetarian options when they supply food for us students, and lunch was no different. In addition to having the usual pepperoni pizza, they also had a veggie pizza.
Over lunch, we got our gowns, sashes (aqua for FVAs, gold for diplomas and maroon for Advanced Studies) and mortarboards. It was only then that I realized that I'd forgotten the $30 that I needed to give them (refunded at the end of the day). I was ready to call Mom, but they let it go. Yay for small schools (bigger ones like U of Guelph, where Tom earned his B.Sc., and which looks like a town about the size of St. Stephen on Google Earth, probably wouldn't be as likely to let something like that slide)!
We spent the rest of the time before the ceremony waiting. I put on my robe, sash and mortarboard fairly early, mostly because I was excited: this was the first time I'd ever worn graduation garb.
Jan then had us line up in two groups and took us to the foyer, where we waited some more. Eventually we filed into the auditorium. And there was Peter, onstage, playing a jazzy number on a grand piano. One of the Ceramics grads, Melissa LeBlanc, sang O Canada en Français. I sang along in English.
Two women from the Maliseet First Nation sang a prayer, and then John McLaughlin (chairman of the NBCCD advisory council) officially opened the convocation. The Honourable Martine Coulombe (Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour) delivered the welcome from the provincial government. Michael spoke, and then they got on to the business of handing out certificates and diplomas.
The studio heads read our names, honours and awards (if applicable), and we went through the process of having our tassels flipped from the left to the right and getting our certificates or diplomas. Peter spoke about how graduation is like giving your child away, sending them out into the world--which doesn't surprise me, given how close-knit the college is.
When my turn came, I took a deep breath before climbing the steps to the stage: this was it. This was the culmination of two years spent happily slaving away in the photo studio. Two years of learning, discovering, howling with laughter, listening to music, being stressed out of my mind during finals, being teased by my teachers, joking with classmates, spending hundreds of hours at the school, printing lots of photos on the Epson printer, spending hours in the darkroom (and coming out with my hands smelling of photo chemicals) and, oh, yeah, going to class.
I then walked up the steps, handed the card with my name on it to Peter; walked over to Michael, shook his hand, had my tassel flipped left-to-right; walked over to Keith, accepted my diploma, shook hands with him and walked off stage--all with a huge smile on my face.
After all the certificates and diplomas had been handed out, Audrée Hamelin-St-Amour received the Governer General's Medal, and then our valedictorian, Spencer Corbett (Fashion Design), gave his speech. Michael talked about what the Student Representative Council (SRC) accomplished this past year, and the changes that have been happening at the college.
Keith presented the college fellow to Anne Reynolds. Michael spoke again, and then the students marched back out of the auditorium, followed by everyone else.
By the time I came out of the auditorium, the reception area was already filled with people, and it continued to fill up even more over the next several minutes. I looked for Mom and Tom and eventually found them. Tom took several photos of me (alone and with Mom). Eventually I took my gown and sash back (I got to keep the cap).
We then headed over to Memorial Hall, where the grad show is. I talked with some of my classmates and introduced my parents to Trudy Gallagher. We talked, Tom took photos, and Trudy mentioned once again how good my business plan was. I also chatted briefly with Mitch Kavanaugh (the store manager), and mentioned how I had wanted to say good-bye to him on my last day back in April, and gave him a hug.
Mom, Tom and I left after about an hour and drove home (I wore my mortarboard most of the way), where I popped the cork on a bottle of Asti. We had supper (some pad thai and veggie patties that Mom got at the market). Mom and Tom spent much of the evening sleeping. I was more than a bit tired myself.
When I finally went to bed, the fact that the chapter of my life known as NBCCD was now really and truly over--and that there was no going back--hit me, and I cried for a bit. I guess I'm not quite as used to life post-NBCCD as I thought--and even April twenty-sixth, bittersweet as it was, didn't give me enough closure. I also choked up several times during the ceremony.
Today I'm almost feeling normal after spending yesterday doing virtually nothing due to exhaustion (I was running on fumes by eleven last night).
And now, my final letter to the FVA Class of '12 (just so you know, even though I'll be at NSCAD I will continue the series next year: I will probably always have a massive case of NBCCD Pride):
Dear FVAs:
This year, I neglected to write a letter at the end of the spring semester. And then I decided to hold off deliberately, as I knew graduation was in a couple months.
Congratulations: you survived FVA! Though probably not without a few bumps and scrapes. I still bear the bruises and scars that I earned in my FVA year--but I'm proud of every single one, as I learned from them all. I learned about college, and I learned about myself as an artist and a person. I hope you guys had a similar experience.
I hope you've applied for the diploma program: after FVA, it only gets better. To any future Photogs reading this: I can't begin to tell you how awesome the studio and faculty are--and how indescribably funny the studio head, Peter Gross, is. I'm going to miss that guy...
Once again, congratulations. I'm ridiculously proud of you guys.
Love,
Annapurna
FVA Class of '10, Photography Diploma Class of '12, NSCAD Photography BFA Class of '13
 |
| You know you're a graduate of a photography program when the first thing you do upon arriving home is take a photo of your mortarboard and diploma. |
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Letter to the FVAs: FINALS!
Dear FVAs:
It's almost the end of the year. And that means that it's time to bury your noses in your copies of Launching the Imagination in preparation for your 3D Design exam. I wouldn't be surprised if you're pulling your hair out about your final projects.
I wouldn't be surprised if even just the thought is freaking you out right now. But remember that we've got a really good support system here at the college. If you're having problems, you're really stressed out, etc., talk to your teacher.
At least you have your portfolios in. When I did FVA, the portfolios were due on the last day, which meant I was super-stressed. That's probably one of the reasons why the deadline was pushed back: the students had enough on their plates.
Because Spring finals can be brutal (I'm doing surprisingly well, considering how stressful the last two years have been), I will remind you to breathe. Force yourself to relax--even if it's while doing other work. Listen to your favourite music while you glue together Platonic solids (ah, fond memories). I remember listening to the Met's performance of Le Comte d'Ory during a particularly stressful weekend last year. I made sure to let the Met know how much that performance helped me.
So good luck, and although it may not feel like it right now, you will survive the stress, you will come out the other end of finals.
Love,
Annapurna
FVA Class of '10, Photography Diploma Class of '12, NSCAD Photography BFA Class of '13 (transfer)
It's almost the end of the year. And that means that it's time to bury your noses in your copies of Launching the Imagination in preparation for your 3D Design exam. I wouldn't be surprised if you're pulling your hair out about your final projects.
I wouldn't be surprised if even just the thought is freaking you out right now. But remember that we've got a really good support system here at the college. If you're having problems, you're really stressed out, etc., talk to your teacher.
At least you have your portfolios in. When I did FVA, the portfolios were due on the last day, which meant I was super-stressed. That's probably one of the reasons why the deadline was pushed back: the students had enough on their plates.
Because Spring finals can be brutal (I'm doing surprisingly well, considering how stressful the last two years have been), I will remind you to breathe. Force yourself to relax--even if it's while doing other work. Listen to your favourite music while you glue together Platonic solids (ah, fond memories). I remember listening to the Met's performance of Le Comte d'Ory during a particularly stressful weekend last year. I made sure to let the Met know how much that performance helped me.
So good luck, and although it may not feel like it right now, you will survive the stress, you will come out the other end of finals.
Love,
Annapurna
FVA Class of '10, Photography Diploma Class of '12, NSCAD Photography BFA Class of '13 (transfer)
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Letter to the FVAs: Finals Season
Dear FVAs:
I intended to write this over the weekend, but I was too busy dealing with final assignments. You know how it is: you're living it right now.
Mostly, I want to encourage you--I remember how brutal finals were when I was an FVA. I want you to know that even though it feels like it will never end, it will. You will come out the other end (known as Christmas Break). And you'll have three weeks in which to decompress, de-stress and prepare for next semester. Remember that when you're racing through the first third of Launching the Imagination in preparation for your 2D Design exam (which I believe is this week, yes?). Remember that when you're trying to remember colour facts for your Colour Theory exam. Remember that when you're trying to finish what feels like a couple thousand assignments, and are wondering whether you'll get them done on time (you will).
Congratulations on surviving the first semester. I strongly encourage you to come back for the second--and graduate in the spring. I know some of you won't make it to May--and that some of you have probably dropped out already--but I still recommend strongly that you stick around. And I'll let you know that the second semester is a lot easier than the first.
Good luck! And as my mom says, "remember to breathe!"
Love,
Annapurna
FVA Class of 2010, Photography Diploma Class of 2012
I intended to write this over the weekend, but I was too busy dealing with final assignments. You know how it is: you're living it right now.
Mostly, I want to encourage you--I remember how brutal finals were when I was an FVA. I want you to know that even though it feels like it will never end, it will. You will come out the other end (known as Christmas Break). And you'll have three weeks in which to decompress, de-stress and prepare for next semester. Remember that when you're racing through the first third of Launching the Imagination in preparation for your 2D Design exam (which I believe is this week, yes?). Remember that when you're trying to remember colour facts for your Colour Theory exam. Remember that when you're trying to finish what feels like a couple thousand assignments, and are wondering whether you'll get them done on time (you will).
Congratulations on surviving the first semester. I strongly encourage you to come back for the second--and graduate in the spring. I know some of you won't make it to May--and that some of you have probably dropped out already--but I still recommend strongly that you stick around. And I'll let you know that the second semester is a lot easier than the first.
Good luck! And as my mom says, "remember to breathe!"
Love,
Annapurna
FVA Class of 2010, Photography Diploma Class of 2012
Sunday, October 23, 2011
I am the 99%
One independent study project is on the way out, another is about to begin...
Monday: That day I finally bought a portfolio (13" x 19") for my project, after planning to get one on Friday.
When I walked into the drawing studio, I took one look at the things that we were to draw, and made a face. This week, we were drawing cloth that was draped over chairs and stools, and it brought back memories of a similar assignment in FVA. For that assignment, we were just to draw fabric that was tacked to the walls so that it hung loosely. We used charcoal, and to do shading, we used a reductive technique, where we erased the sections that we wanted to be lighter. I ended up not finishing mine.
This time, however, I was determined to finish it (and this time I used my usual additive technique). And I did--while rocking out to Adam's iTunes. Let's just say that the guy has good taste. I worked on it until around nine that night. Good thing I didn't have class the next day. Later, we were to take that drawing and turn it into something else.
Tuesday: I spent the day running around, trying to get stuff done, and started the process of putting my project together in the portfolio.
Wednesday: Turns out, that day was Drew's birthday--we all wished him a happy birthday.
This week and next week, we're doing location lighting, which Drew said can be as simple as taking the studio flashes to another room in the college. He's happy as long as it isn't in the lighting studio. This week we're looking for locations where we might like to shoot, and taking photos of said locations. Next week we'll go back and actually shoot.
This week's Photoshop assignment brought back childhood memories: Drew gave us an illustration which we were to colour in in Photoshop. He said that to do the whole thing would probably take about four hours--he just wanted us to spend an hour on it. And he said that it would "probably succeed in making [the class] never want to be illustrators."
The assignment reminded me of when I was five or six, when I would happily "paint" in Photoshop for most of my allotted computer time (which I believe was fifteen minutes a day)--when I wasn't playing around with fonts and pictures in The Writing Center. This was one of those times where I couldn't believe that I was getting college credit for doing this: it was just too awesome.
After class, I visited Occupy Fredericton, which is camped outside City Hall. I probably spent an hour there, talking with the occupiers. Although I'm very aware and well-informed about the inequality in the world, the Occupy movement has really opened my eyes to how North America is run, and to how unequal and rigged our system is. While chatting with one of the protesters, I found out that NB's wealth is tied up in five families. Five families. How nuts is that?!
Not only that, but I've begun to find out just how much unethical and unacceptable stuff Canadian and American banks support: TD sponsored former VP Cheney's book tour in BC, which basically says that torture is perfectly acceptable (The Globe and Mail was also a sponsor--glad I only read that paper for a few months); and I just found out that RBC supports the Alberta tar sands. The tar sands--one of the most environmentally unfriendly things my species has created. I'm crying as I write this, because I have always seen my friendly local RBC branch as fairly benign: they wouldn't do anything that has the potential to ruin the earth, would they? But by supporting the tar sands, they are. I was fooled. We all have been. Wonder what Scotia Bank's track record is like--or BMO's or CIBC's, for that matter...
And don't get me started on the fact that the richest of the rich don't have to worry about taxes. In the US, they don't have to pay 'em (not unless Warren Buffett has his way--YIPPEE!), and in Canada, the so-called Economic Recovery favoured the 1% and left the 99% to fend for themselves. "Harper's economic 'recovery' favoured the extremely wealthy. Over 321,000 Canadians lost their jobs in 2008 and Canadians' average wages fell. Meanwhile Canada's 100 wealthiest persons became richer, reaching an average net worth of $1.7 billion each, up almost 5 per cent from 2008."--shitharperdid.com, with a link to an article in The Tyee
Sickening, isn't it? While you're at it, check out this infographic.
As one of the many slogans goes,
And then there was the time when the police kindly led the protesters onto the Brooklyn Bridge, and helped them out--and then turned around and arrested them for no reason at all.
Okay, I think I'm done.
Thursday: Back in the classroom. YYYYESSSS!!! Due to the fact that I had to do some stuff outside the school during class time in preparation for my next independent study project, Peter had me present my project first.
That "stuff" was a visit to Dance Fredericton, to ask the dance mistress about photographing some of the dancers there. She was totally cool with it, and even asked me to do some work with their logo. She also said that it was okay to bring flashes into the studio (the kids would love it). SA-WEEEET!!
By the time I got back to class, I had a huge grin on my face. As I took off my raincoat, I told Peter what had happened. I'd talked with him a couple of weeks prior, and he'd prepared me for the worst, due to parents not wanting their little kids photographed by a strange person (two words: MODEL RELEASES). So being prepared for the worst made me that much more excited. The giddiness didn't wear off until the next day.
Friday (FVA Panel Assessment Day): I wrote a letter to this year's crop of FVAs, which you can read here. It felt so weird not having the studio crawling with first-years.
I spent the first part of the afternoon running around, doing things for Preparing for Professional Life, and then settled down to work on my drawing that's due tomorrow.
Saturday: Major work-day: I finished the final report for the project that I'm currently working on, and wrote the proposal for the dance project. I also skyped with Mom, and drew. I finished the day by doing my Photoshop homework.
Sunday: Yet another major work-day. I spent most of the afternoon in the darkroom, developing the last three photos for the project. After I emerged from the semi-darkness (yay, safe-lights), I proofread the proposal and final report and emailed them to Peter (deadline: noon ADT/11:00 EDT tomorrow), put the finishing touches on the drawing, came home, did Kitchen Duty, and watched part of Hocus Pocus until this blog post started screaming my name.
Monday: That day I finally bought a portfolio (13" x 19") for my project, after planning to get one on Friday.
When I walked into the drawing studio, I took one look at the things that we were to draw, and made a face. This week, we were drawing cloth that was draped over chairs and stools, and it brought back memories of a similar assignment in FVA. For that assignment, we were just to draw fabric that was tacked to the walls so that it hung loosely. We used charcoal, and to do shading, we used a reductive technique, where we erased the sections that we wanted to be lighter. I ended up not finishing mine.
This time, however, I was determined to finish it (and this time I used my usual additive technique). And I did--while rocking out to Adam's iTunes. Let's just say that the guy has good taste. I worked on it until around nine that night. Good thing I didn't have class the next day. Later, we were to take that drawing and turn it into something else.
Tuesday: I spent the day running around, trying to get stuff done, and started the process of putting my project together in the portfolio.
Wednesday: Turns out, that day was Drew's birthday--we all wished him a happy birthday.
This week and next week, we're doing location lighting, which Drew said can be as simple as taking the studio flashes to another room in the college. He's happy as long as it isn't in the lighting studio. This week we're looking for locations where we might like to shoot, and taking photos of said locations. Next week we'll go back and actually shoot.
This week's Photoshop assignment brought back childhood memories: Drew gave us an illustration which we were to colour in in Photoshop. He said that to do the whole thing would probably take about four hours--he just wanted us to spend an hour on it. And he said that it would "probably succeed in making [the class] never want to be illustrators."
The assignment reminded me of when I was five or six, when I would happily "paint" in Photoshop for most of my allotted computer time (which I believe was fifteen minutes a day)--when I wasn't playing around with fonts and pictures in The Writing Center. This was one of those times where I couldn't believe that I was getting college credit for doing this: it was just too awesome.
After class, I visited Occupy Fredericton, which is camped outside City Hall. I probably spent an hour there, talking with the occupiers. Although I'm very aware and well-informed about the inequality in the world, the Occupy movement has really opened my eyes to how North America is run, and to how unequal and rigged our system is. While chatting with one of the protesters, I found out that NB's wealth is tied up in five families. Five families. How nuts is that?!
Not only that, but I've begun to find out just how much unethical and unacceptable stuff Canadian and American banks support: TD sponsored former VP Cheney's book tour in BC, which basically says that torture is perfectly acceptable (The Globe and Mail was also a sponsor--glad I only read that paper for a few months); and I just found out that RBC supports the Alberta tar sands. The tar sands--one of the most environmentally unfriendly things my species has created. I'm crying as I write this, because I have always seen my friendly local RBC branch as fairly benign: they wouldn't do anything that has the potential to ruin the earth, would they? But by supporting the tar sands, they are. I was fooled. We all have been. Wonder what Scotia Bank's track record is like--or BMO's or CIBC's, for that matter...
And don't get me started on the fact that the richest of the rich don't have to worry about taxes. In the US, they don't have to pay 'em (not unless Warren Buffett has his way--YIPPEE!), and in Canada, the so-called Economic Recovery favoured the 1% and left the 99% to fend for themselves. "Harper's economic 'recovery' favoured the extremely wealthy. Over 321,000 Canadians lost their jobs in 2008 and Canadians' average wages fell. Meanwhile Canada's 100 wealthiest persons became richer, reaching an average net worth of $1.7 billion each, up almost 5 per cent from 2008."--shitharperdid.com, with a link to an article in The Tyee
Sickening, isn't it? While you're at it, check out this infographic.
As one of the many slogans goes,
"Dear 1%,Naturally, once the mainstream media finally realized what was going on, they painted the protest as violent and something that should be stopped, and the people as dirty, law-breaking, window-smashing, looting hippies who couldn't decide what they were protesting, and who didn't have a leader (all decisions, both at Occupy Wall St. and at Occupy F'ton, are made at general assemblies where all the Occupiers have a say in the decision-making). At OWS, the police have been more violent than the people--a certain Anthony Bologna comes to mind. For the few who don't know, Anthony pepper-sprayed two women, and his "punishment" is the loss of ten vacation days.
"We fell asleep for a while. Just woke up.
"Sincerely, The 99%"
And then there was the time when the police kindly led the protesters onto the Brooklyn Bridge, and helped them out--and then turned around and arrested them for no reason at all.
Okay, I think I'm done.
Thursday: Back in the classroom. YYYYESSSS!!! Due to the fact that I had to do some stuff outside the school during class time in preparation for my next independent study project, Peter had me present my project first.
That "stuff" was a visit to Dance Fredericton, to ask the dance mistress about photographing some of the dancers there. She was totally cool with it, and even asked me to do some work with their logo. She also said that it was okay to bring flashes into the studio (the kids would love it). SA-WEEEET!!
By the time I got back to class, I had a huge grin on my face. As I took off my raincoat, I told Peter what had happened. I'd talked with him a couple of weeks prior, and he'd prepared me for the worst, due to parents not wanting their little kids photographed by a strange person (two words: MODEL RELEASES). So being prepared for the worst made me that much more excited. The giddiness didn't wear off until the next day.
Friday (FVA Panel Assessment Day): I wrote a letter to this year's crop of FVAs, which you can read here. It felt so weird not having the studio crawling with first-years.
I spent the first part of the afternoon running around, doing things for Preparing for Professional Life, and then settled down to work on my drawing that's due tomorrow.
Saturday: Major work-day: I finished the final report for the project that I'm currently working on, and wrote the proposal for the dance project. I also skyped with Mom, and drew. I finished the day by doing my Photoshop homework.
Sunday: Yet another major work-day. I spent most of the afternoon in the darkroom, developing the last three photos for the project. After I emerged from the semi-darkness (yay, safe-lights), I proofread the proposal and final report and emailed them to Peter (deadline: noon ADT/11:00 EDT tomorrow), put the finishing touches on the drawing, came home, did Kitchen Duty, and watched part of Hocus Pocus until this blog post started screaming my name.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
letter to the FVAs: on the first panel assessment of the year
Dear FVAs:
It's that time of year again: the first panel assessment of the year is this Friday. Whoopee! ...or not. If things are anything like they were in '09, when I did my first panel assessment, the teachers are telling you over and over that you don't have to be nervous--but you're still nervous as heck. So although I'm no longer nervous about panel assessments (we diploma students have one in the winter semester), I won't tell you to not be nervous. If you are nervous, that's totally okay and understandable. I get it. I was there.
I read the handout during break in my drawing class on Monday evening. I see that my then-academic adviser, now-drawing teacher Adam MacDonald's group is in room 4005, which is where he was during my first panel assessment (though his group is in the afternoon, rather than the morning, like my group--jealous). I'll never forget that day: rushing around trying to find everything, and lugging it all up to the fourth floor. The rooster from Ceramics may have been awesome, but let's face it: he was a beast to lug. That's why the elevator was invented, people!
Even though I haven't needed to since May 2010, I read the handout about FVA/AVA panel assessment every time there's one coming up. I check to see what you guys are required to bring--which doesn't change much from one year to the next, but I still check it--and I check to see where Adam's group will be. And on the day itself, if I'm in the downtown area in the morning, I treat myself (I don't know if I will this year, as I don't have class on Fridays and therefore take the opportunity to sleep in--maybe I'll have breakfast at Sweet Belgian Desire). Cheesy as it may sound, I think about you guys during every spare moment that day.
In closing, good luck, try not to become a stressed-out mess--but if you do, as my mom would say, "breathe!"
Love,
Annapurna
FVA Class of '10, Photography Diploma Class of '12
It's that time of year again: the first panel assessment of the year is this Friday. Whoopee! ...or not. If things are anything like they were in '09, when I did my first panel assessment, the teachers are telling you over and over that you don't have to be nervous--but you're still nervous as heck. So although I'm no longer nervous about panel assessments (we diploma students have one in the winter semester), I won't tell you to not be nervous. If you are nervous, that's totally okay and understandable. I get it. I was there.
I read the handout during break in my drawing class on Monday evening. I see that my then-academic adviser, now-drawing teacher Adam MacDonald's group is in room 4005, which is where he was during my first panel assessment (though his group is in the afternoon, rather than the morning, like my group--jealous). I'll never forget that day: rushing around trying to find everything, and lugging it all up to the fourth floor. The rooster from Ceramics may have been awesome, but let's face it: he was a beast to lug. That's why the elevator was invented, people!
Even though I haven't needed to since May 2010, I read the handout about FVA/AVA panel assessment every time there's one coming up. I check to see what you guys are required to bring--which doesn't change much from one year to the next, but I still check it--and I check to see where Adam's group will be. And on the day itself, if I'm in the downtown area in the morning, I treat myself (I don't know if I will this year, as I don't have class on Fridays and therefore take the opportunity to sleep in--maybe I'll have breakfast at Sweet Belgian Desire). Cheesy as it may sound, I think about you guys during every spare moment that day.
In closing, good luck, try not to become a stressed-out mess--but if you do, as my mom would say, "breathe!"
Love,
Annapurna
FVA Class of '10, Photography Diploma Class of '12
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
welcome to NBCCD--where awesome creative mischief happens
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| The south-east corner of NBCCD as photographed by me in the Fall of '09, and processed today (yay for selective colour!) |
Orientation Day is nine days away. If you're starting to freak out right about now, I understand--I've been there. Two years ago (Class of '10, yep!). But you will get through this year, and you'll survive to tell the tale. Some of you will drop out before Christmas Break, some of you will drop out at Christmas Break, some of you will drop out in the second semester. But some of you will survive and graduate with your certificate in Foundation Visual Arts. And you'll breathe a sigh of relief that it's all over. And some of you will apply to the diploma program (psst--photography's awesome!).
I'll probably be writing a letter about this when the time comes, but what they say is true: panel assessment is no. big. deal. But even with all my teachers telling me that, I was nervous the first time around, and so was everyone else in my year. And so were all the FVA students last year. So it's totally normal to get nervous about it.
But while FVA year can be stressful, it's also incredibly rewarding: you'll learn a ton, you'll (hopefully) figure out "what you want to do when you grow up", or change your mind about your future career plans (that's what Media Explorations is for). You'll meet and befriend diploma students, a lot of whom went through the very same things you're going through. You'll be pushed and challenged by your teachers, and your ideas about art, creativity, and what the two are could very well change. You'll be stressed out more than once (hint: watch out for the third week in both semesters. It can be brutal.).
Bonus: you guys get the whole school to yourselves for a week. That's right: A WEEK! We diploma students (two-year, and Advanced Diploma) start class the day after Labour Day. See ya then!
And I can't wait to see the numbers this year: my FVA class had sixty-one students at the beginning of the year; last year the figure had jumped to eighty-five. Who knows--maybe this year we could have an FVA class of, oh, I dunno, A HUNDRED?! Keep your eyes on the newsletter!
Love, good luck and see ya soon,
Annapurna Moffatt
FVA Class of 2010, Photography Diploma Class of 2012
Saturday, April 23, 2011
the last letter (for this year, anyway)
Dear FVAs:
YOU'VE OFFICIALLY MADE IT! You've survived your first year of college! CONGRATULATIONS! I'm unbelievably proud of the Foundation Visual Arts Class of '11, and that's all I'll say because there are no words in existence that fully express how happy I am for the FVAs.
I'll never forget how happy I was to be done with FVA year: that year was so stressful (but rewarding), and half the time I didn't know which way was up. Once it was over, I was finally able to relax. And I'll never forget the mad dash to get my portfolio in: the due date was the last day of class, and I had to have my photos retouched by Karen--as did everyone else. I was all in a tizzy, and wanted to get it done as soon as possible--which was quicker then the touchups could realistically be done.
Once all three photos were done, I dashed up to the registrar's office (the registrar that year was Louise Neveu), dropped it off, and went to get my stuff at the residence. Only after I handed the portfolio in did I breathe properly again.
During the last Photography Media Explorations class this year (last Friday), I wouldn't be surprised if you guys were feeling the crunch. I could hear the chatter, and Karen and various FVAs were flitting around, getting last-minute things done. Well, we can now officially say that it is done! (((HUGS TO ALL THE FVAS))) Now all you have to do is pick up your portfolio. And wait for your final transcript and, if you're applying for the diploma program, your letter of acceptance.
Which brings me to my next point: if you've applied to Photography and you're accepted, be prepared to laugh when you get your letter, which will be from one of the coolest people in the school: Peter Gross. Peter is one of those people who, if he can add in some humour, he will. When I got my letter, the class was made up of ten women, and Peter wrote "If you know any good men out there who are interested in photo, let us know. :)" By the time classes started, three guys had joined the class (one of whom is an Integrated Media major).
So as we come to the end, I wish you guys the very best. Have a blast this summer, and when those letters from the college arrive, good luck and I hope you get into your first choice!
Love (and hope to see you next year),
Annapurna
FVA Class of 2010, Photography Class of 2012
YOU'VE OFFICIALLY MADE IT! You've survived your first year of college! CONGRATULATIONS! I'm unbelievably proud of the Foundation Visual Arts Class of '11, and that's all I'll say because there are no words in existence that fully express how happy I am for the FVAs.
I'll never forget how happy I was to be done with FVA year: that year was so stressful (but rewarding), and half the time I didn't know which way was up. Once it was over, I was finally able to relax. And I'll never forget the mad dash to get my portfolio in: the due date was the last day of class, and I had to have my photos retouched by Karen--as did everyone else. I was all in a tizzy, and wanted to get it done as soon as possible--which was quicker then the touchups could realistically be done.
Once all three photos were done, I dashed up to the registrar's office (the registrar that year was Louise Neveu), dropped it off, and went to get my stuff at the residence. Only after I handed the portfolio in did I breathe properly again.
During the last Photography Media Explorations class this year (last Friday), I wouldn't be surprised if you guys were feeling the crunch. I could hear the chatter, and Karen and various FVAs were flitting around, getting last-minute things done. Well, we can now officially say that it is done! (((HUGS TO ALL THE FVAS))) Now all you have to do is pick up your portfolio. And wait for your final transcript and, if you're applying for the diploma program, your letter of acceptance.
Which brings me to my next point: if you've applied to Photography and you're accepted, be prepared to laugh when you get your letter, which will be from one of the coolest people in the school: Peter Gross. Peter is one of those people who, if he can add in some humour, he will. When I got my letter, the class was made up of ten women, and Peter wrote "If you know any good men out there who are interested in photo, let us know. :)" By the time classes started, three guys had joined the class (one of whom is an Integrated Media major).
So as we come to the end, I wish you guys the very best. Have a blast this summer, and when those letters from the college arrive, good luck and I hope you get into your first choice!
Love (and hope to see you next year),
Annapurna
FVA Class of 2010, Photography Class of 2012
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| Me at the opening of tableau. Photo by WhiteFeather. I meant to include it in my last post. |
Monday, January 3, 2011
second semster, here. I. COMMMMMMMMME!!!!!!!!
Tomorrow is the first day of the second semester. I have to admit I'm excited. I can't wait to see my classmates and teachers again. And I finished last semester strongly: my lowest mark was an eighty--and the highest was a hundred (average mark: ninety). Yes, really.
Like last year, I spent the break staying up late, sleeping in, hanging out with my parents, listening to opera (the Met's first radio broadcast was on the eighteenth), playing The Nutcracker at the same time as the BSO (I finally finished it--and then burst into tears because I was so overwhelmed), celebrating Christmas to the max, dancing (I got Charlotte Church's CD Back to Scratch, which I've been dancing to ever since), photographing, reading, cooking, skiing, snowshoeing...
Because I don't really have anything else to write about due to the fact that the semester hasn't started yet (twelve hours to go), I want to write another letter to the FVAs:
Dear FVAs:
You made it through the first semester--congratulations again. The worst is now officially over.
I have to admit I loved the second semester: I felt like I actually had time to breathe, which was a beautiful thing after the drama and non-stop go-go-go of the first semester. And you guys have Creative Process this semester!!! I had it in the first semester, which I don't think was the greatest idea: I was getting a feel for the school and getting used to college as a whole at that time. And during my Textiles Media Explorations the catch-phrase was, "now that you know colour theory..." Yep, I'm glad they changed it.
Anyway: Creative Process. When I say that it'll change your life, I mean it: this course will change. your. life. My final mark was Dismal (yep, a D--ouch), but it did change me and open me up to new concepts, new ways of thinking about creativity, and it was the first time that I was really tugged out of the creative rut that I'd unknowingly wedged myself into years ago (I'm still in said rut, but I'm trying to free myself bit by bit). I had Denise Richard. Yow. Once I got used to her and her quirks (during the first half-hour of my first C.P. class), I never looked back. I now think she's one of the coolest people in the whole school (I knew there was a reason why she shares an office with Janice Wright-Cheney and Adam--who also taught C.P. last semester).
And yes, I'm super-excited for you guys.
You also get--wait for it--life drawing this semester!!! If you're nervous, I don't blame you: I was, too. But then I just got used to it. We all do it. Denise has a really amusing story about this old guy who was modelling for a class she took. I can't remember the specifics, but it was hilarious.
And brace yourselves for 3D Design. It's not as brutal as 2D Design (though it's still tough): after the first assignment (due in a week), most of the assignments take two weeks to complete. I look forward to seeing the assignments in the studio and on the walls (mmm, cardboard...). I also have a class in that studio this semester (Design: Shaping Space on Friday afternoons).
Here's to an awesome winter semester for all of us--FVAs and diploma students (go Photogs!) alike! Let's rock this thing!
Love,
Annapurna
Like last year, I spent the break staying up late, sleeping in, hanging out with my parents, listening to opera (the Met's first radio broadcast was on the eighteenth), playing The Nutcracker at the same time as the BSO (I finally finished it--and then burst into tears because I was so overwhelmed), celebrating Christmas to the max, dancing (I got Charlotte Church's CD Back to Scratch, which I've been dancing to ever since), photographing, reading, cooking, skiing, snowshoeing...
Because I don't really have anything else to write about due to the fact that the semester hasn't started yet (twelve hours to go), I want to write another letter to the FVAs:
Dear FVAs:
You made it through the first semester--congratulations again. The worst is now officially over.
I have to admit I loved the second semester: I felt like I actually had time to breathe, which was a beautiful thing after the drama and non-stop go-go-go of the first semester. And you guys have Creative Process this semester!!! I had it in the first semester, which I don't think was the greatest idea: I was getting a feel for the school and getting used to college as a whole at that time. And during my Textiles Media Explorations the catch-phrase was, "now that you know colour theory..." Yep, I'm glad they changed it.
Anyway: Creative Process. When I say that it'll change your life, I mean it: this course will change. your. life. My final mark was Dismal (yep, a D--ouch), but it did change me and open me up to new concepts, new ways of thinking about creativity, and it was the first time that I was really tugged out of the creative rut that I'd unknowingly wedged myself into years ago (I'm still in said rut, but I'm trying to free myself bit by bit). I had Denise Richard. Yow. Once I got used to her and her quirks (during the first half-hour of my first C.P. class), I never looked back. I now think she's one of the coolest people in the whole school (I knew there was a reason why she shares an office with Janice Wright-Cheney and Adam--who also taught C.P. last semester).
And yes, I'm super-excited for you guys.
You also get--wait for it--life drawing this semester!!! If you're nervous, I don't blame you: I was, too. But then I just got used to it. We all do it. Denise has a really amusing story about this old guy who was modelling for a class she took. I can't remember the specifics, but it was hilarious.
And brace yourselves for 3D Design. It's not as brutal as 2D Design (though it's still tough): after the first assignment (due in a week), most of the assignments take two weeks to complete. I look forward to seeing the assignments in the studio and on the walls (mmm, cardboard...). I also have a class in that studio this semester (Design: Shaping Space on Friday afternoons).
Here's to an awesome winter semester for all of us--FVAs and diploma students (go Photogs!) alike! Let's rock this thing!
Love,
Annapurna
Monday, November 29, 2010
Open letter to FVAs during finals from an FVA grad (Class of '10)
Dear FVAs:
Congratulations! You've made it this far. No matter who you are--and even if I don't know you--I'm proud of you. I was in your place last year, and this time was really difficult for me, so I sympathize with you if your stress-level is sky-high right now. But it won't last forever. Trust me. It won't.
You know what you need to study/prepare, so I won't go into that in detail. However I will say that if you've been keeping up with the readings for 2D Design, good for you--and you've done better than I did last year (in the first semester I did the first week's reading--and then didn't read any more in Launching the Imagination until a week before the exam. Not a good idea.).
But also remember to relax. I'm sure your parents have told you this (mine sure did last year), but you do need to stop and just relax sometimes. It'll help you in the long run. And we've got an awesome support system here: academic advisors (GO ADAM MACDONALD!!!!!!!!), a counsellor, your teachers--and I urge you to make use of of said support system. I didn't until the second semester, which was when I found out that Adam is an awesome academic advisor. And I'd better stop there, otherwise I'll still be yammering about him tomorrow afternoon. **sigh**
Also: if you're considering dropping out after this semester's over, I strongly urge you to reconsider: while the first semester is difficult, the second one ROCKS!!!!!! In the second semester I felt as though I actually had time to just breathe and my life wasn't just about homework anymore. Plus, you guys get Creative Process in the second semester (I had it in the first and I'm really glad they changed it around). It will change your life--it did mine (though my marks were really low).
So I wish you guys (all eighty-five of you) the very best, especially if this is your first college/university experience. And I'll say it again: the second semester rocks.
Love,
Annapurna Moffatt
FVA Class of 2010, Photography Diploma Class of 2012
Congratulations! You've made it this far. No matter who you are--and even if I don't know you--I'm proud of you. I was in your place last year, and this time was really difficult for me, so I sympathize with you if your stress-level is sky-high right now. But it won't last forever. Trust me. It won't.
You know what you need to study/prepare, so I won't go into that in detail. However I will say that if you've been keeping up with the readings for 2D Design, good for you--and you've done better than I did last year (in the first semester I did the first week's reading--and then didn't read any more in Launching the Imagination until a week before the exam. Not a good idea.).
But also remember to relax. I'm sure your parents have told you this (mine sure did last year), but you do need to stop and just relax sometimes. It'll help you in the long run. And we've got an awesome support system here: academic advisors (GO ADAM MACDONALD!!!!!!!!), a counsellor, your teachers--and I urge you to make use of of said support system. I didn't until the second semester, which was when I found out that Adam is an awesome academic advisor. And I'd better stop there, otherwise I'll still be yammering about him tomorrow afternoon. **sigh**
Also: if you're considering dropping out after this semester's over, I strongly urge you to reconsider: while the first semester is difficult, the second one ROCKS!!!!!! In the second semester I felt as though I actually had time to just breathe and my life wasn't just about homework anymore. Plus, you guys get Creative Process in the second semester (I had it in the first and I'm really glad they changed it around). It will change your life--it did mine (though my marks were really low).
So I wish you guys (all eighty-five of you) the very best, especially if this is your first college/university experience. And I'll say it again: the second semester rocks.
Love,
Annapurna Moffatt
FVA Class of 2010, Photography Diploma Class of 2012
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