Learning Experiences

At a lecture given by the painter George Shaw, he explained his work in simple concrete terms, even apologizing when he was forced to use more complicated language, and simplifying with analogies. Finally, he explained that he treated his own art practice much like a 9am-5pm job, literally working weekdays from 9am-5pm and then taking the weekend off to watch the footie and eat sunday lunch. The lecture worked on two levels, demonstrating how art language can be simple and concise, and demonstrating how an art career can be achievable through simple steps.

When one of my maths teachers was trying to explain a particular mathematical equation, I asked him why the equation used pi. He told me there was no point going into it as I'd need a Ph.D. to understand. At the time I accepted his reasoning, but on reflection, I don't think there is much that can't be explained, at least to some extent, in a simplified manner. My father later explained the equation using a simple example - which I have since forgotten.

As Denzel Washington irritatingly repeats in Philadelphia, 'explain it to me like I'm a four year old'.

- Colin