Feedback from our presentation:

• The class was naive to the logistics of busking and the process of site decisions
• Comments made on the use of empty space and in particular the manipulation of my footage and how I edited it as though I removed the buskers with photoshop
• Questioning our distance from the subjects. Felt as though we were nervous to enter other peoples sacred places and film up close, everything felt a little bit distant. This provokes the question as to whether entering someone else’s sacred place can remove the sacredness for them.
• Future assessment looking at focusing on an individual as opposed to the space they consume. Potential for interviewing a busker, finding their story and seeing the life outside of busking and how it is effected by the busking world. How the two worlds collide and influence each other.
• Liked the image of the buskers seen through the bars of a chair, representing the laws and limitations
• Most people new that you had to have a permit but didn’t know what getting a permit consisted of and what happens once you have one.

From here I think it is best to investigate the concept of interviews. It may be that we need to interview multiple buskers in order to discover an influential story. To do so, we can attend another busking meeting on a Wednesday morning and pitch the idea, otherwise to speak to busker individually as they setup for performances or take breaks etc.

Today we discussed the notion of place, what defines sacredness and how one place can have meaning for one person and mean nothing to another.

To me I associate a sacred place with memory. For example if I am to go home to my parents house in NSW there are places throughout the environment which I associate with my childhood which I define as sacred. The cubby house I built in year 5 which remains touched only by weather and the passing of time. The hill in which my brother made a hut overlooking our property. A place which has limited access due to rocky hills and gullies. No road leads to this place, nor the remains of one, we are granted access through our memory of the route to take and the process of trial and error in our past.

For other people, sacred places are associated with religion or culture. We discussed in class the sacredness of the MCG. As a MCC member myself I have a connection to the space. The space represents a community and Australian culture.

Class cancelled today.

Alyssa and I met regardless of the class being cancelled to discuss the possibilities of different locations. Discussing the effects music has on the world and individuals. We have decided upon investigating Bourke Street Mall and the busking community.

The City of Melbourne released a Street Activity Policy in 2011 defining what it is that is deemed busking. Busking is defined as sounding or playing a musical instrument, singing, reciting or performing conjuring, juggling, puppetry, miming, dancing or other entertainment or doing any of those things concurrently. Busking also includes the activity of drawing any message, picture or representation on a pavement, paper or canvas surface.

Whilst this appears relatively broad concept, it is followed by the following list. Cutting out numerous possibilities and developing the idea of restrictions of this free act and laws stopping creativity.

• selling or street trading of any kind
• artists selling pre-fabricated work – pavement artists must be actively engaged in producing their artistic medium and not simply selling displayed artworks
• photography
• arts and crafts
• drawing and painting on postcards, t-shirts, bags or other goods
• touting, spruiking or advertising
• political rallying
• religious preaching and promotions
• fortune telling including tarot card reading and palmistry
• massage, chiropractic treatment or any other physical manipulation
• face or body painting
• temporary tattoo applications including henna
• cosplay and soliciting donations for photos taken while dressed in character costumes
• mascots
• fundraising on behalf of a charity, cause or organisation

Today Alyssa and I had a meeting with Robbie to discuss our ideas for the assessment. We have decided to investigate the busking culture at Bourke Street Mall. Discussing the key points of the limitations and laws surrounding busking, the mental and general health associated with music and the influence technology has on our ability to observe our environment. Robbie provided us with a contact within the busking community, allowing us to enter their world.

Discovering that they meet every Wednesday morning to discuss busking locations. It is a discussion of prime Realestate, with the best sites being at Bourke Street Mall and the remainder surrounding the CBD.

For todays class Alyssa and I did a site visit instead of working in tute.

As I have been in charge of the video/audio part of the assessment, I began filming based on my previous observations of the place. Trying to capture the elements surrounding the buskers as well as the buskers themselves. It was interesting to observe the empty space before it was consumed by the entertainment.

My primary focus when capturing the busking sites was to film from a distinctive angle, so that during the editing process I could easily manipulate the shots.

It was interesting that whilst I have visited the site on numerous occasions, I was still able to get carried away listening the the performances. Time appears to change when listening to music and you begin to feel as though you judge it based on the length of a song. For example, i know that most songs average 3 minutes in length. Therefore I knew if I listened to 3 acts I had been there for around 10 minutes. However in the busking world, this doesn’t appear to be true. Due to the art form being so interpretative and individual, the rules of the music pop world don’t apply. I got lost in the environment and resulted in overstaying the limit on my car park.

Sound Observations:

Trams:

• Thud over rails
• High pitched warning bell
• Electrical hum
• Ticking
• Squeaky doors opening

– Stroller clicking

– Keys smashing against one another (more aggressive than a jingle)

– Intense horn from small car

– Traffic lights bop sound for pedestrians

– WInd pushing leaves along the ground

– Kids crying, lots of kids crying

– Crowds blurring conversations together

– Authoritative voice providing tram times and information

– Ambulance siren

– Toddler smacks hands on pavement

– Clapping to buskers

– Didgeridoo music with base drum providing rhythm

– Melodic flute playing. Observer states “I have goosebumps all over my arms from this”

– Soft piano

– Release of pop music from shops as doors open

Below are the mind maps and ideation developed during assessment 2.

Final production video

www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/2018/03/26/assessment-2-uploaded/

500 Word Reflection: 

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/2018/03/27/home-in-the-worl…sment-reflection/

Assessment progression:

www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/2018/03/20/week-4-20-03-2018/

www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/2018/03/26/week-5-26-03-2018/

Inner Peace images:

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Inner-Peace-1-1i4ow8o.jpg

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Inner-Peace-2-12hldc4.jpg

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Inner-Peace-3-uc65qn.jpg

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Inner-Peace-4-1xrtozt.jpg

Strength images:

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Strength-4-2c2ornj.jpg

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Strength-3-1hl5hc3.png

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Strength-2-1efivm5.jpg

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Strength-1-x4hozj.jpg

Success images:

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Success-4-246nbe1.jpg

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Success-3-qtxfth.jpg

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Success-2-14vlrc4.jpg

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Success-1-1oh1ykv.jpg

Light images:

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Light-4-uiqomj.jpg

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Light-3-1xydk1h.jpg

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Light-2-1wgoiqg.jpg

http://www.mediafactory.org.au/brooke-mckay/files/2018/03/Light-1-2e47mvp.jpg

Change your perspective. We live our lives in such a hurry that we miss what it is we are living through. We remember the big moments and ignore the small. This assessment has taught me to notice the unnoticed and take meaning from each. Every environment you enter has a different effect on your emotions, mood and comfort. Through my work I have begun to question why that is, what elements cause these changes and why is it done subconsciously? Strength, Inner peace, light and success. Four words which conjure so much thought.

Prompted by the expression “Money doesn’t buy happiness” I explored what it is that defines success. Looking further than progression within the workplace and physical achievements, I explored the small wins which have a greater effect. Discovering that the minor details are the ones which define your day. Using the visual representation of cooking a perfect egg and the yolk imploding when cut. A satisfying moment which ultimately adds a form of success to your day. Whether this satisfaction spurs from ripping perforated edges, opening a fresh tin of tennis balls or pouring water out of a jug and ice cubes falling into your glass. Each moment defines the success of your day and the mood you encompass throughout it.

The idea of inner peace to me comes from a moment of self acknowledgment. Simply when you understand your own calmness and recognise where it came from. Taking time to appreciate your own happiness. Things that directly influence your level of zen. My images used are personal to my own happiness and appear to have provoked other peoples. A photograph of an empty beach, breath taking sunset, young puppies and  therapeutic colouring. There is extensive research suggesting that patting dogs, in particular puppies release endorphins, encouraging happiness. To me these simple acts are when I feel most at ease.

I received great constructive feedback from my peers following my presentation. Particular focus was drawn to the image of a large group of people representing strength. Everyone was dressed to a theme and when observing from afar appeared the same however upon closer investigation held different stories. The image focused on strength in numbers and unity.

Another image which was received well was the representation of light, in particular the car. The idea was suggested that the revs symbolised that whilst the car was “alive” it was not thriving, simply idling and continuing to survive. The lights contrasted the black background illuminating the information.

The class found great humour in my presentation in regards to my use of irony. They particularly liked the idea of small wins, the cheer i put over the top of the yolk spilling out of the egg. They also drew focus to the marching sound over the ants, illustrating the strength of the ants indirectly and commented on the effectiveness of my editing.

The feedback received provided me with a new confidence in observing and my ideation. Whilst observing other peoples presentations has taught me of different ways to look at the brief. It is interesting how one instruction can provoke so many thoughts and perspectives.