Which Path Do You Choose?

Creative/Reflection Instructions

Part One, Creation:
Create a fantastical artwork in the genre and medium of your choice, (e.g., a series of goblin illustrations, fashion designs for a space crew, a short fantasy story, etc). Feel welcome to develop previous work from any of the creative opportunities in the online lecture and/or discussion. Before and during your creation process, make sure that you consider the material from this semester's class and how it is (or isn't) influencing your creative work.

Part Two, Reflection:
Write a 2-4 page reflective essay wherein you examine your creative process using the following questions:

• Inspiration/Influences: Which fantastical works (e.g., Frankenstein) or movements (e.g. Magical Realism) inspired or influenced your creative piece?  Cite specific examples.  Was this influence conscious or something you noticed only after the piece was finished?
• Conventions: Which fantastical conventions (e.g., the Hero's Journey, clichés) or "rules" does your work follow or break? Why did you make the decision to follow or break particular fantastical conventions?
• Themes/Messages: Does your piece embody a theme/deeper meaning?  Does this theme speak to one of the themes we’ve discussed this semester (e.g., the problem with knowledge).
• Personal: Now that you've finished this creative piece, how does it live up to or fall short of your initial artistic vision? What experience do you intend an audience to have with the piece? In other words, what do you hope someone will get out of the piece?