There have been quite a few moments in the past month that have helped to shape my direction of exploration for the semester. Here are a few of the fragments:

- My mentor (Susan Li O'Connor*** ) had recommended the Mattress Factory Museum in Pittsburgh. Brian and I took a little trip to Pittsburgh this weekend, found the permanent and rotating collection of work at the MF to be engaging and unexpected. The museum had a floor of James Turrell's work. It was my first time experiencing a Turrell piece in person. The quiet tone and visual vibration of the Turrell work will inform how I approach my semester project.

- In my studio visit with Ric, he had mentioned that "art is not about making the ordinary, extraordinary - it's about making the ordinary, infinite." My cerebral cortex glowed upon hearing. I now have the phrase tattooed on my ankle.

- My studio visit with Malcolm Cochran was robust, with some keen insight on how to approach my work. Malcolm is a natural teacher, and challenges in a manner that is constructive, and with the intent for growth. He had mentioned that my work is about the 'fugitive.' I'm hoping he's talking about the fleeting moments that are just out of reach - and not the warrant for my unpaid parking tickets.

- I was late for class, and I was stuck behind two older ladies in a mid-size sedan. The car had a bumper sticker - "Don't Believe Everything You Think." I was thinking they needed to speed up, but then realized this might be wrong.

- I met with Danielle Julian-Norton and she talked about 'letting the mess show.' She referred to the work of David Lynch, and his ability to sustain mystery by creating a narrative with a hole. I have watched both seasons of Twin Peaks over the past few weekends, and have a better understanding of the concept.

The remainder of my semester will be spent working with the sensory elements of sight, sound, smell, and touch. I will be exploring ways these elements can speak to the ephemeral and liminal experience.