So I’ve been digesting today’s visit to PSU. Though it was awkward, it served it’s purpose. I wanted a feel for the place. I’m not sure I totally got it, but I got an idea. The studios are bleak. Hallways narrow. The place appears to have no center, just lots of dingy hallways and hollow core doors. That’s ok, I don’t need sexy hallways to do great work. But then do I? I can’t imagine working in there late at night, but maybe it’s different when it’s abuzz with activity. My reaction in my gut is that it is an “other” place. It felt unfamiliar and uncomfortable to me. It didn’t feel like a place where great work is done, yet it IS done. Many people who’s work I greatly admire are PSU alumni. It’s a strange building, there’s no question about it. I didn’t realize how familiar I am with the San Francisco/Oaklad warehouse feeling. It’s something I know so it feels warm to me, even when it’s freezing cold. The PSU studios just seemed underfunded and overlooked by the university at large. Just a first impression. Don’t know how true it is.
One thing Pat snuck in towards the end of our time together was that as far as my portfolio goes, they like to see some exploration, a thread. They aren’t interested in polished work, they want questions. I smiled a closed-mouth smile and simply said “sounds good.” All I could think was, lady, I got nothing but threads and questions. Then thought to myself, I must be compelling, i must be able to tell that story. With 7 spots and 100 applicants, compelling is my new middle name. And so, my visit was helpful. Now, back to being compelling. The whole visit felt very weird, forced, uncomfortable, un-friendly, un-Portland. I want to talk to an alum and see what they experience was like.
But, but but, my experience at lectures is totally different, it feels like a homey, friendly community. So we’ll see, we’ll see.