From an early age, I have always found myself interested and inspired by history, art and society, which is possibly why I have found myself studying Interactive Arts at the Manchester School of Art.
Throughout my time in education it seems that I was always being pushed in one direction; ACADEMIC, ACADEMIC, ACADEMIC! While I loved and was passionate about art, I did not want to ‘waste’ my brain which so many people said I would be doing, but after much deliberation I decided to study an Art Foundation at Bradford College.
My first day was filled with dread, I was truly hoping that my experience there would be a great one, and what can I say? That year was truly the best of my life so far, freed from the constant pressure to achieve, I could finally experiment and play so that I could discover what I was interested in.. . not what I was good at! I learnt to not be afraid of failure, because at the end of the day, this only lead on to bigger and better ideas being realised.
But again, there always seemed to be the pressure to SPECIALISE. Why as humans does every aspect of our lives have to be so defined, and why did I have to chose at the age of 18 whether to be a fine artist, an illustrator, a textile producer or a photographer? Why in the world of art, one that should encourage the broadening of your horizons and experimentation, are we always being limited? So on my foundation I chose to specialise in fine art under the reassurance that it would not limit me in any way.
But then came the next pressure; UNIVERSITY! Well, any one who has applied to do an artistic subject knows what a minefield applying is, and what a stressful time it can be. I applied in the end for five courses and received subsequent offers from all of these.
After much deliberation I finally chose to study Interactive Arts at Manchester School of Art. Again, my first day was filled with anticipation and dread as to whether I had made the right decision, but as usual I was pleasantly surprised by the friendliness, encouragement and openness of both the lecturers and the other students on the course; all of which seemed incredibly enthusiastic about the course that they were representing.
I get asked almost everyday what ‘Interactive Arts’ actually means, but I fail to define it. That is the beauty of it. Institutions should not be pushing their students to confine and define their practice before they have found themselves and their interests. I’m constantly being pushed and half of the time I do not even know in which direction I’m going until I get there but that is what learning is all about, having trust in yourself and your ideas, knowing that even if you aren’t successful you will have learnt things along the way.
Lucy Illingworth Art 