SELF- AND AUTO-ETHNOGRAPHY – A METHODOLOGY FOR OBSERVING, ANALYZING AND WRITING ON THE PERSONAL CREATIVE PRACTICE

Abstract

I study the representation of virtuality in imagesthrough the observation of my own work practice. Myresearch boarders to artistic research, and I am using selfand auto-ethnography, combined with semiotics andhermeneutics. Self-ethnography involves the study of theresearchers own group. It typically involves “breaking outâ€of the taken for granted cultural and social structures withinthis group. Auto-ethnography is the similar study of yourself.Self- and auto-ethnography inevitably blends into eachother; they are usually incorporating the observation of notonly actions and interactions, but also feelings and thoughts.Self- and auto-ethnography has been criticized as being tooemotional, to narcissistic and lacking evidence. I discuss thedifferent critiques and propose counter-actions, especiallyhighlighting that careful self-criticism need to be broughtinto action when assessing these observations. Index Terms ⎯ artistic research, auto-ethnography,methodology, self-ethnography, self-reflection, study of workpractice.