Today I went to my first professional practice lecture. I feel like I’ve really missed out by not going to these previously but the label “non compulsory” just made me put these lectures on hold whilst I stressed about other projects. I really regret that mindset as I really enjoyed listening to Samantha speak about her work, how she ended up where she is and hearing her speak about her experience at Brighton Uni. Her work around birthing activism and her more recent work around the theme of death was really interesting to me, and Im really eager to research into some of the ideas she spoke about. Seeing the video she created of a compilation of youtube videos of women giving birth and overlaying the disturbing comments left on the videos, really stirred me up and I love the way she used that as almost a weapon against todays society and our ability to turn something so natural and real into something so sexual. I really enjoy her documentation approach in her work, including the videos she made named “Bond, Paternity, Miracle” and “Impact, Parenthood, Mortality”. I think I resinate with this work as I enjoy documenting different aspects of life, be that feelings, opinions or even simple things like handwriting and marks left behind by someone.

In summary, I will definitely be attending professional practice lectures more often. Even if they aren’t particualrly my cup of tea, because theres always chance I can take even one little thing that could help me in a future project or when it comes to finding a job at the end of uni.