18.682 interdisciplinarity is anthropological

               Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 18, No. 682.
       Centre for Computing in the Humanities, King's College London
                   www.kcl.ac.uk/humanities/cch/humanist/
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         Date: Mon, 04 Apr 2005 15:46:08 +0100
         From: "Christine Goldbeck" <cgoldie_at_verizon.net>
         Subject: Re: 18.669 disciplines are an illusion?

I concur with your view "a true interdisciplinarian" ought to be a kind
of anthropologist, understanding his/her own assumptions and constructing
the ethnography of the cross discipline before engaging in anykind of
synthesis of the material."

I have found that to cross the boundaries successfully, a critical
knowledge of the humanistic history of the disciplines I practice is
paramount to my work. With a strong grounding, we are able to move beyond
the borders and to unite the artistic and scientific diciplines that we
have kept separate for far too long. Such is what I have gleaned from my
studies and my practice in print writing, photography, electronic story and
imaging.

The program in which I am enrolled, the Master of Fine
Arts-Interdisciplinary Arts at Goddard College in Vermont, encourages
practitioners to focus on the artist and communities involved in the
process of practicing/viewing interdisciplinarity. Perhaps, this is why I
was so drawn to your statement as quoted above.

One thing I have found is that writers are far more cynical of crossing
boundaries and marrying mediums than are visual artists.

On a simple level, crossing boundaries and practicing interdisciplinary is
a matter of "thinking outside the box."

Sincerely,
Christine
www.christinegoldbeck.com
www.minecountry.com
Received on Mon Apr 04 2005 - 11:11:31 EDT