Teacher and Student

Teacher and Student is a pentaptych about the importance of bringing new energy and inspiration into a process, especially in a system about learning and education.

The five panels show a structure, like a machine, with little windows into its inner-workings. The type references The Second Law of Thermodynamics—that a given system will always lose energy when it puts it to use—as well as theories of space, time, data-processing and productivity. The central message is that although there is value in measuring productivity and outcomes, sometimes we focus too much on work and efficiency, which results in the system getting “run-down.” As challenging as it may be, we can not forget the importance of bringing new energy and inspiration in to keep the system thriving.

I believe the roles of teacher and student (with different people taking on and exchanging these roles) mean a dedication to this process. The “windows” into the system show glimpses of the awkward, visceral, sometimes painful, but deeply moving and rejuvenating struggle that must take place in order to truly be creative and bring new energy in—despite the machine.

Teacher and Student was created in Adobe Photoshop by combining scans of graphics, paintings, paper, photos and type.

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