Spark Festival through the eyes of a sceptical student

It’s an apparently simple act of human nature – when we are told what to do, the common urge can be to then do the exact opposite. We resent the instructions, the rules, because they can make us feel like our own capacity to think, behave, or make decisions, is being undermined.

Perhaps it’s for these reasons that, any time I’m told it’s obligatory to attend the week-long Spark Festival, my inner voice begins to protest in outrage, to list all the more important things I should be doing, to gripe and groan over the change to my usual weekly routine.

Last year, despite being instructed to do so by all of my Wintec tutors, I didn’t attend Spark. The reasoning behind my no-show lay with an obstinate disposition for scepticism – especially regarding to things I’ve been told I need to do. In hindsight, I’ve since realised that by attending I would have gained a great deal more intellectual stimulation and nourishment than what staring at my ceiling had provided.

This year when Spark Week rolled around I decided to take the chance to test whether my uncertainty was shared by other students and whether it was even justified. After questioning several students, the true value Spark Festival offers began to be more clear, so much so that I was pleasantly surprised by their answers.

Through listening to both the students and the speakers. I was able to gain a fresh perspective on Spark. In particular, I found the presentations made by Emily Woollett from Paper Stone Scissors as well as both Ryan Delaney and Ero (Lance Harris) during the Grad Panel to be especially interesting.  For me, the event has transitioned from an unwanted distraction from normal routine to an alternative and exciting opportunity to learn.

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Students at Spark:

Tika, a second-year music student explained that this was her second year attending Spark and that she thinks “it is a good festival, especially if you’re doing arts.” Tika also said she would recommend it to other students, because “we get to see lots of professionals sharing their knowledge, and it’s cross-disciplinary. It’s good for us to see and be exposed to.”

Emma and Rose, fashion design students in year three say that it’s worth attending because “sometimes you can get a bit lost, like ‘what am I doing’, and Spark inspires you – for some people.” Both agreed that having the workshops in addition to the presentations were good as it allows for “a better understanding – they’re more intimate.”

Dion, a second-year moving image major said he came to Spark initially because he had to. His favourite part about Spark Week was “that there are no classes. It gives me the opportunity to study and catch up on other work.