Time Frame: Nov 2025

This was an activity where the MA cohort were split into pairs to work together to study an already existing artwork (the sculpture 'Laocoön and His Sons'). The output of the activity was a joint piece of artwork created by each pair which ultimately was to be put in an exhibition in the foyer in the UoR art building. The joint artwork was a response incorporating each pairs discussions and thoughts of the initial artwork. Here are images of the joint artwork.

In addition, some writing was requested. Below is my written submission for the exhibition.

Mark Lumsden and Chantal Ferrer

The group was split into pairs via 'random' selection (each name was selected by Eloise).

I was paired with Chantal.

The activity would seem to encourage joint participation, however, there would need to be an initial point where individuals read the brief, came to an initial understanding, then interacted with each other to get to further joint stand-points until they reached a final-stand point which somehow incorporated each individual's ideas and the process of getting to their joint end-point. Here is an attempt to break down the process:

Start of Process:
0a. individual 1 comes to initial stand-point
0b. individual 2 comes to initial stand-point

An individual's initial stand-point could vary from being disinterested to passionate about the brief. One individual may see the brief as one about form, another about a narrative, another about X. Where-ever an individual stood after reading the brief that was their initial position. [Note the only way that I can see this not being the case is if the pair read and discussed the brief for the first time together, and discussed it as they read it. Then the 'initial stand-point' could be seen to be joint]

Start loop:

1. Both individuals assess the current status of their individual and any potential joint positions.
2. Discussions occur, this may bring about similarities of position or differences...
3. Prototype artworks may be produced and discussed.
4. Some choices of further directions occur.
   
5. If a joint end position found: prototype artworks be made 'finished':
   - Go to 'End Loop'
   If no end position found:
   - Go to 'Start Loop'
   

End Loop:

7. Present joint artwork and findings to MA group.

The first part of above algorithm could be ran through multiple times, perhaps even dozens or hundreds of times until the participants were ready to present a joint artwork to the group.

However, the algorithm HAS to be ran through at least once for the activity to be seen to be functioning. That's to say, if either one or both students do not participate in the 'joint' nature of the activity, any artwork produced from the activity cannot be seen to fulfil the activity's purpose.

The above algorithm could also have another few more lines added:

Emergency Escape:

8. Please separate these two students for their own sanity and/or safety.

I think the need to have a function of 'Emergency Escape' is useful should either (or both) students not be operating amicably with each other.

If the pair were never to get to a point of presenting their joint work, the process could continue ad infinitum. If this was not desirable (working on this activity forever), a maximum value of iterations could be added to the algorithm, which would jump to the 'Emergency Escape' function once the maximum value of iterations had been reached.

And/or there could be a maximum time frame allowed for the activity, say 2 weeks. The number of days after the beginning of the start of the activity would be checked in the main algorithm so once the activity had been running for 14 days, it would jump to 'Emergency Escape'.

After initial miscommunication Chantal and myself successfully produced artwork incorporating both our ideas of the Laocoon sculpture.

Chantal's position on the Laocoon sculpture was [I will let Chantal explain her position.. ].

My position revolved around why was the Laocoon sculpture in the Vatican? I could write quite a lot on this subject but will deliberately stop myself. Suffice to say I feel very similar to how Stephen Fry feels about the Roman Catholic church (you can find some brilliant videos on YouTube of Stephen talking about the Catholic church). I suggested to Chantal we could perhaps go to the Vatican and throw the plaster and jesmonite hands (they are quite solid!) at the Pope and/or the Cardinals. I mean at their heads, and with force.

Instead of using the hands as weapons, myself and Chantal are going to bury them. This seems apt because it is a swap of sorts. The Laocoon sculpture was excavated in the 16th century, so it is only fitting we return some small part of its (educational) history back to the earth. I believe Chantal is burying the hands so that her hoarding instinct can be avoided. She can clarify.

Note Chantal's writing and mine were placed one above each other to the right of the title sheet. The format of the groups written activities ultimately made a fallen cross. Which is fine by me.