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Practice-based Research and its fruits of labour

 

INTERCEPTIONS has come to an official end! The three days were exhausting but extremely fruitful. I recall the last day of the showcase when I was holding onto the clicker. The number was growing by the second as more visitors streamed into the galleries while I was furiously trying to click based on the number of faces I see. Visitors of different skin colour, gender, height and interest entered and exited the galleries. The crowd turnout amounted to over 1000 for three days, which exceeded the numbers last year. It was definitely a feat that would not have been possible without everyone's efforts. From the collaterals and publicity materials flushed out by the marketing team to the ushering on the lobby of ArtScience Museum on showcase days, these efforts aimed to spread the word of Interceptions so that our works will meet the eyes of more visitors.

 

As I was assigned to various duties throughout the three days, I had the opportunity to interact with visitors, guide them and even played games with them.  Once, when I was not on duty, a young boy came over to ask me the instructions of the board game. This was a problem as I did not know how to play the games but thankfully one of the invigilators knew how to play it after learning it from the artist of the boardgame himself. I found out later that this was another problem faced by other team members who were not familiar with the instructions of the board games. Together with the boy, we managed to play the game together although it was challenging to explain the complex terms and history behind the game.

 

As an usher, I got the chance to speak to visitors and answer their questions. It was also interesting to see how visitors interacted with the exhibits and how they dealt with space and props (the use of brochures and drawings as a prop in their photos). The way one positions himself/herself in front of the exhibit, the routes taken to view the artworks and even the sequence of viewing specific artworks were also helpful in the research process. It is really beneficial for us to take on roles and participate on the ground as these participant observations entail useful materials for our data collection and evaluation. I definitely enjoyed explaining some of the artworks to visitors and one visitor even asked me more about CNM when I was stationed outside the gallery. 

 

Being part of the event was a good experience and watching the galleries fill up with visitors, it only made me thankful for this chance given to our module! A heartfelt thank you to Prof Nancy, Eve, Nick, Tracey and Alexander for all the support, assistance and advice given since they were introduced to us. Not forgetting my classmates and the other visitors who came to support our event! Interceptions was a great success!!