Postgraduate Research Student Profile
Maggie McCormick
What are you studying in the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning?
I commenced a PhD in March 2005. My topic is 'The Transient City: mapping urban consciousness through contemporary art'. I am interested in how contemporary art practice can contribute to the re-imagining of urban culture.
My PhD is a spiral of research analysis intertwining text and image investigation. There are many current debates about this style of PhD and I hope to contribute to the evolution of this dialogue.
What did you study before commencing your studies at the University of Melbourne, and at which institution?
I completed a MFA (Master of Fine Art) at RMIT University in 2004 through the practice of the public art project melbourneconnectionasia. This ran over two years and involved forty artists and eight art spaces in eight cities in the Asian region, with exhibition outcomes in both Australia and Asia. The project identified issues in the region expressed through contemporary art images, and investigated how ideas are translated.
What interested you in coming to the University of Melbourne? What attracted you to the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning?
Prior to doing my MFA, I have been working in the art field for many years. I am a founding member of the artist group, urbanart, and have initiated and undertaken many art projects and exhibitions in Australia and Internationally.
My reason for doing both the Masters and the PhD is to critically review my ideas and practice in the context of contemporary theory and practice. I choose the Faculty of Architecture because I anticipate this is where I will encounter new questions and new approaches outside of the arts arena I have been working in. The two are related but different, and each can inform the other.
In another way the Faculty of Architecture chose me by accepting my proposal and offering me an APA.
How are you finding your experience at the University so far? What are the highlights?
The experience is exciting and invigorating. It takes a while to fully realize the potential of new people and new places but I am anticipating that more and more opportunities will arise to engage in exchange of ideas and re-imagining.
What are you planning to do when you have completed your studies at Melbourne?
The future is always hard to predict as the practice of doing a PhD will open up unexpected opportunities. At this point I would anticipate that I will continue to exhibit and write and would like to have the opportunity to continue my association with the University of Melbourne.
What advice do you have for other students thinking of studying in the Faculty?
Always think about what the faculty can offer you and what you can contribute to this faculty. You should feel excited by the prospect of both, otherwise you are in the wrong place.