SHIFT: Daniel T. Barney

Artist, educator and enquirer Daniel T. Barney explores his practice of art education and experimentation. He questions the standardised curriculum, but also the tools that are used in making art – encouraging students to experiment with, recreate, or innovate tools for their artistic practices.

Barney moves beyond conventional notions and uses of the artistic tool, process, and technique, which he claims often fall short of enquiry, discovery, and investigation, towards the notion of responsive artistic methodologies and the productive 'misuse' of tools.

Rather than learning from standardised, canonised artistic practices, he encourages students to explore alternative ways to engage with the world and become active participants in their practice – building an artistic methodology that goes beyond the predetermined.

Barney believes learning in the arts involves more than simply playing within boundaries, but playing with boundaries, enabling a pedagogy of play.

Artist, educator and enquirer Daniel T. Barney, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Art Education and the Director of the graduate program for licensed teachers at George Mason University School of Art. Dr. Barney’s scholarly pursuits are a unique blend of curriculum theory, artistic play, and experimentation with rules of engagement.

This film is part of SHIFT, Freelands Foundation’s quarterly series of short films spotlighting varied practices, approaches and philosophies within art education. 

Captions and editing: Sixbetween.

All audiovisual material and research is courtesy of the artist.