Ross A. Laird

For my second creative project I tried to combine my skills in hand drumming with my very mediocre skills in juggling, which I hereby term “drumggling”.

It was quite challenging, but it made me realise how it’s possible to join together two seemingly unrelated skills. I wish that I had been able to push it further, but it’s a starting point. Hope you enjoy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCXYNsCRGO8

My second project entitled "In Dreams" is inspired by a series of vivid dreams about colour invading a colourless world. The living comic book page consists of a combination of Paint/Photoshop art, foam board, and poster paper. The text in the piece originates from the lyrics to the song "Dream" by The Pied Pipers, a popular group from the 1940s. In relation to current pop culture, this song appears in the trailer for the upcoming video game BioShock 2: Sea of Dreams.

In the future (perhaps for IDEA 2, or for fun), I plan to create something on a much larger scale, but within reason. As of late, I am inspired by the following video:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-qJu20do0o

Many of my students, at Kwantlen and elsewhere, are searching for careers without cubicles. These students are interested in careers in the arts, in expressive arts therapies, in culture and multiculturalism, in media and publishing, and in many other interdisciplinary areas. The difficulty for many students is that they are completing programs which are limited to specific fields and disciplines, and such specificity does not reflect their intended career paths. They want interesting and diverse careers, not jobs hidebound by traditional roles and practices. This information session, held at Kwantlen's Surrey campus on November 24th (7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Room G1205A), will offer students a glimpse of various interdisciplinary career paths and options. For students earlier in their academic development, the session will offer ideas about courses and overall direction. For those nearing completion, the session will offer perspectives about employment and career advancement.

This session is open to the public, not just to Kwantlen students. If you are interested in attending, please use the signup link below (site membership and login are required for this option). Or, simply show up. There is no fee.

Hi;

You may have received a post from me entitled “Links from Today’s Class”. This post was intended for the students in my Interdisciplinary Expressive Arts class at Kwantlen; but unfortunately I selected the wrong group and inadvertently sent it to everyone except the intended audience. Sorry about that.

Of course, you may be interested in the fusion of ceramics and acoustics; or you might like to see a good example of pop culture integation. If so, feel free to check out the links in the original post. Perhaps the material came to you as a kind of synchronicity and will alter the course of your life. You never know.

Cheers.

Ross

I’ve been working with a group of instructors and administrators at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (this group includes Sibeal Foyle from the Fine Arts department, Genni Gunn and Sheila Hancock from the Creative Writing department, Don Hlus from the Music department, and Humanities Dean Linda Schwartz) to develop an undergraduate stream in Interdisciplinary Expressive Arts.The first course in this new stream begins in Fall 2008. If you are interested in finding out more about the program, visit (and join, if you want) the development group. These courses represent a significant milestone in education for students in British Columbia: never before have interdisciplinary expressive arts courses been offered at the undergraduate level in BC.

What are Interdisciplinary Expressive Arts?

Interdisciplinary Expressive Arts refers to a specific set of educational activities, goals and strategies. Based on innovative pedagogy and integrative approaches to learning, interdisciplinary studies involve the synthesis and synergy of various disciplines toward a cohesive, unified educational experience. Interdisciplinarity is much more than enrollment in courses from more than a single discipline. Authentic interdisciplinarity emphasizes the linkages between disciplines by focusing on contrasting and complementary aspects of diverse educational domains.

The scheduling for IDEA 3100 is in-process at the moment, but this is the probable schedule:

• Fall 2008
• 14 weeks
• Thursdays,11:00am to 2:00 pm

Other details:

• 35 students max.
• No final exam…

Here is the outline (attached below) for the upcoming IDEA course planned for Spring of 2009 (IDEA 4100). Feel free to review and comment.

Here is the outline (attached below) for the upcoming IDEA course planned for Fall of 2008 (IDEA 3100). Feel free to review and comment.