Fill up my cup, 2013, video.
Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Sculpture Project: Light and Made
In sculpture we were given a list of words to use to create a piece of work from. I chose the words light and made. In the previous session we were asked to bring in our favourite objects, to draw from them and create sculptures from them. I decided to continue on from this and create something based on my favourite object, a mug, featuring aspects of the words light and made.
I wanted to physically make something using my hands out of a light material. At first I tried to create a set of paper-mache mugs however when I attempted this my paper-mache creation just stuck to the mug. To overcome this obstacle I changed my approach and used plaster bandages on the inside of the mug which I covered in clingfilm. Mounting these cups made from plaster bandages on my wall I thought they were a bit plain so inspired by my object I placed teabags within them creating more interest in the piece.
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I wanted to physically make something using my hands out of a light material. At first I tried to create a set of paper-mache mugs however when I attempted this my paper-mache creation just stuck to the mug. To overcome this obstacle I changed my approach and used plaster bandages on the inside of the mug which I covered in clingfilm. Mounting these cups made from plaster bandages on my wall I thought they were a bit plain so inspired by my object I placed teabags within them creating more interest in the piece.
Anyone for a cup of tea? 2013, plaster bandages and teabags.
Then we were asked to develop this piece. I found it amusing that my sculpture was based on an object that could hold liquid however my sculpture could not, so I explored that idea. My first idea was to create a tea set from plaster however it became apparent from 'Spoon' that it was impractical due to the amount of clay to produce a mold of a mug and removing said object from the clay.
Spoon, 2013, plaster mold of a spoon.
Then I contemplated how I can adjust a mug so that it can't hold liquid and I arrived at the conclusion to simply smash them and glue them back together in more interesting ways; thus creating, my drinking cup I and II.
My drinking cup, 2013, broken china and glue.
My drinking cup II, 2013, broken china and glue.
However I judged my work as being too plain so I added colour to my project by breaking mugs of different colours and glueing them together mismatched. I also created a video to emphasise how useless these mugs are called, Fill up my cup.
What a smashing cup of tea, 2013, broken china and glue.
Journey Project
My Journey route involved walking to where my friends are. However whilst drawing my journey I found that my drawings were more interesting if I kept walking whist drawing. This gave my work momentum. Then I had the idea of letting my hand go free and just draw the motion of my walking. I explored this using different colours to reflect my mood on my journey, for example red for angry. Furthermore I experimented by drawing on top of photographs of my journey. However I found that filling the page with my journey in just plain black really emphasized that my work was about the movement.
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Sculpture Presentation: Post-Minimalism: Eva Hesse
Is a style of art that is simple like minimal art however it strives to imbue works with meaning. Post-minimalist artists attempt to go beyond the mere aesthetic of minimalism. Artworks are usually everyday objects, use simple materials and sometimes take on a 'pure' formalist aesthetic.
Eva Hesse 1936-1970
She is an example of a post-minimalist artist. Hesse uses grids and 'seriality' themes often found in minimalism, however is usually handmade introducing a human element in her artwork which contrasts the machine or custom works of Minimalism.
Eva Hesse 1936-1970
She is an example of a post-minimalist artist. Hesse uses grids and 'seriality' themes often found in minimalism, however is usually handmade introducing a human element in her artwork which contrasts the machine or custom works of Minimalism.
Eva Hesse, Addendum, 1967, Papier mâché, wood and cord, 124 x 3029 x 206 mm
Addendum consists of 17 grey paper-mache hemispheres spaced at increasing intervals along a horizontal piece of wood, fixed to the wall. From the centre of these hemispheres cords trail to the ground, curling at the end. Hesse goes further than minimalism in this sculpture as although it features geometry and repetition, a prominent feature in minimalism, her work goes further and evokes part of the body. As you stare at Addendum it starts to look like breasts and the ropes look like liquid trickling down.
Monday, 6 January 2014
Accumulation and Dispersion
My project is about the accumulation of rubbish in my room. It mainly focus’ on this accumulation of trash however I explore dispersion in how I display the rubbish. The garbage itself is a sort of print as it is packaging so I explored using this in collage to give an insight into my life. Furthermore I also explored printing with rubbish itself and what effects this would produce; personally my favourite printed effects were created by hair, bits of plastic and magazine.
In addition to this I explored printing with rubbish on top of rubbish. Towards the end of the project I began to focus’ more into the collage part of the print work as in a group crit it was made aware to me that the insight into my life was the more interesting.
I was inspired by the sheer messiness of my room and looked for artists to further inspire my work and found Tracey Emin’s work my bed. She uses objects and rubbish to give people an insight into her life.
Print made with hair.
Print made with magazine on top of magazine.
In addition to this I explored printing with rubbish on top of rubbish. Towards the end of the project I began to focus’ more into the collage part of the print work as in a group crit it was made aware to me that the insight into my life was the more interesting.
My Rubbish Life II, Mixed media
I was inspired by the sheer messiness of my room and looked for artists to further inspire my work and found Tracey Emin’s work my bed. She uses objects and rubbish to give people an insight into her life.
Tracey Emin: My Bed
Tracey Emin, My Bed, 1998, Mattress, linens, pillows, objects, 79 x 211 x 234 cm
Tracy Emin created, 'My Bed,' in 1998 and it was exhibited in the Tate in 1998 as one of the shortlisted works for the Turner Prize. It is a view of her bed when she was in a state of suicidal depression. The objects and mess she has around her bed gives the audience a clear insight into her life. Emin's work inspired my print project as it featured the accumulation of rubbish which is then dispersed in the artwork.
My Rubbish Life, Mixed Media Collage on A1 paper, 841 x 594mm.
Sunday, 5 January 2014
Summer Work: David Shrigley
David Shrigley was born in 1968 and is a contemporary British artist who lives and works in Glasgow. He studied a Foundation in Art and Design at Leicester Polytechnic (De Montfort university) and later when onwards to study Enviromental Art at Glasgow School of Art. Shrigleys art strives to be humorous. Which it often is, but humor like art is all about an individuals taste. He was shortlisted for the Turner Prize for his exhibition, 'Brain Activity' at the Hayward Gallery.
Talking About Drawing Robert Longo
Robert Longo born in 1953 is an American contemporary artist. I saw his piece, Untitled (In the garden, et in Arcadia ego) at Frieze and it took up most of the wall at 152.4 x 304.8 cm. It is a drawing of a Forrest scene in charcoal on mounted paper.
I translated the title from Latin and discovered it meant, 'In the garden and I am in Arcadia/Paradise.' I researched Arcadia and it is a place in Greece however in poetic fantasy it represents a pastoral paradise and in Greek mythology it is the home of Pan, the Greek god of nature.
I chose to talk about this piece as technically it is really amazing. When I first saw it at Frieze I thought that it was a black and white photograph but as I got closer I realised it was a drawing. Secondly I like the contrast of the light shining through the darkness of the Forrest.
When I first looked at this drawing I thought Longo could have been inspired by this incredible view he saw. Inspiration formed from the shadows in the Forrest into his mind and he felt he just had to convey the beauty of nature. However after a second look at his piece I found it very commercial, I struggled to find a meaning behind the work and as it is technically a very good piece of artwork a vast number of people may appreciate it and perhaps buy it. However after discussing this piece in the drawing session it is more likely that this piece is actually about death. The phrase, 'et in Arcadia ego,' is often used in artwork to show death, as the person has gone to paradise or Heaven. The strong contrast of light and dark also suggests death as light is often associated with Heaven and the light seems to be drawing you in towards it, like the expression, "go towards the light".
The process' of Longo's drawings involves him projecting a photograph onto a piece of paper and then tracing the figures in graphite. He then has his illustrator, Diane Shea, fill in details. Then he goes over the work in graphite and charcoal.
I translated the title from Latin and discovered it meant, 'In the garden and I am in Arcadia/Paradise.' I researched Arcadia and it is a place in Greece however in poetic fantasy it represents a pastoral paradise and in Greek mythology it is the home of Pan, the Greek god of nature.
I chose to talk about this piece as technically it is really amazing. When I first saw it at Frieze I thought that it was a black and white photograph but as I got closer I realised it was a drawing. Secondly I like the contrast of the light shining through the darkness of the Forrest.
When I first looked at this drawing I thought Longo could have been inspired by this incredible view he saw. Inspiration formed from the shadows in the Forrest into his mind and he felt he just had to convey the beauty of nature. However after a second look at his piece I found it very commercial, I struggled to find a meaning behind the work and as it is technically a very good piece of artwork a vast number of people may appreciate it and perhaps buy it. However after discussing this piece in the drawing session it is more likely that this piece is actually about death. The phrase, 'et in Arcadia ego,' is often used in artwork to show death, as the person has gone to paradise or Heaven. The strong contrast of light and dark also suggests death as light is often associated with Heaven and the light seems to be drawing you in towards it, like the expression, "go towards the light".
The process' of Longo's drawings involves him projecting a photograph onto a piece of paper and then tracing the figures in graphite. He then has his illustrator, Diane Shea, fill in details. Then he goes over the work in graphite and charcoal.
Group Presentation: Greta Alfaro
Greta Alfaro born in 1977, is a Spanish contemporary artist that lives and works in London. In her work she mainly focus's on photography and video although she does produce collages from found publications.
We decided to look at her work, 'Fall on us, and hide us.' This features a large derelict room. In the foreground there are scattered bones then in the middle ground there is a carcass elevated by a sort of brightly coloured altar. Judging by her photography of from, 'Fall on us, and hide us,' this carcass is that of a goat.
COLLAGES, 2008-2011
Collage with found publications
32 x 42 cm
We decided to look at her work, 'Fall on us, and hide us.' This features a large derelict room. In the foreground there are scattered bones then in the middle ground there is a carcass elevated by a sort of brightly coloured altar. Judging by her photography of from, 'Fall on us, and hide us,' this carcass is that of a goat.
FALL ON US, AND HIDE US, 2011
Colour photograph
145 x 112 cm.
FALL ON US, AND HIDE US #2, 2011
Colour photograph
145 x 112 cm.
FALL ON US, AND HIDE US #3, 2011
Colour photograph
70 x 75 cm
The video piece features the projection of light across the entire scene to the rhythm of the music playing. The viewer becomes transfixed on it blinded by the light and taken in by the music. I think the reason why the piece is called, 'Fall on us,and hide us,' because of how the light falls on the scene revealing this mass grave of animal bones but when the light is gone it is hidden.
FALL ON US, AND HIDE US, 2011 (excerpt)
Video installation/vertical projection
HD, colour, sound, 16:9, 8min.
Music by Melissa Bugarella
Alfaro's work is often about the unseen as she states, “I work about the hidden and the unexpected. We live our lives governed by rules created in order to control chaos and vulnerability, but I am interested in the facts we try to hide or repress, in the differences between the private and the public, in the visibility of our everyday life hypocrisy.”
In Ictu Oculi
In the Saatchi Gallery there was a small dark side room with benches where a video was playing. There was no information provided. The video had already started; there was a table set up for a dinner party in the wilderness. An elaborate spread with silverware laden with food plus bottles and glasses of wine. The table cloth blows gently in the wind creating a sort of ghostly presence. I sat and wondered for a while if this was all that was featured in the piece. Then I heard small squawking sounds that gradually grow louder. Shadows appeared and in a blink of an eye the dinner party guests swoop down and start gorging themselves. I became transfixed watching this happen. Within minutes everything is devoured and then they just leave again. I waited for the video to start again and briefly a name in the corner flashes, Greta Alfaro.
The piece itself is called, 'In Ictu Oculi,' which roughly translated as, 'in the blink of an eye,' which is the manner in which the vultures appear. This piece by Greta Alfaro shares it's name with a baroque painting by Juan Valdes Leal.
Juan Valdes Leal, In Ictu Oculi, 1672.
This hints that Alfaro was influenced by Valdes Leal and they both do seem to feature similar themes, of chaos and death. They both also feature movement, Alfaro's by the nature of the media (video) and Valdes Leal by the pose of the skeleton; leaning as though in the middle of action.
I chose to talk about Alfaro's, In Ictu Oculi as although I don't really understand the meaning of it, the first time I watched it I was just fascinated by it and it was the most memorable piece of art that I saw in London.
Friday, 3 January 2014
Summer Work: Rachel Whiteread
For What It's Worth: Perceptions of Value in Contemporary Art.
I saw a piece by Rachel Whiteread at an exhibition put on by MA Curation Students at Norwich University College of the Arts. The exhibition questions what is art and how is it valued.
Rachel Whiteread is a leading British contemporary sculptor. She won the Turner Prize in 1993 for her work titled 'House'; a concrete cast of a Victorian house. In a review The Independant said, "A strange and fantastical object which also amounts to one of the most extraordinary and imaginative sculptures created by an English artist this century". However 'House' generated mixed responses as she also won the K Foundation art award in 1994 for worst British artist. She is one of the Young British artists, a group that also includes Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.
The piece exhibited in the For What It's Worth exhibition by Whiteread is Untitled 1993 and is exhibited under the subsection: The Materiality of small things. The piece is a doorknob cast in bronze. I think that this piece the artist tries to get us to question the meaning behind the artwork as an ordinary object has been elevated to a higher status by being put in a different context; displayed in a glass box on top of a white pedestal.
The artwork makes me wonder if this object has a significant meaning to the artist and then I wonder about the everyday objects that have special meaning to me: ones affiliated with memories, good and bad.
This piece of work reminds me of Marcel Duchamp's 'Fountain'. He elevates an everyday object, a urinal, to a piece of artwork by a signature and an exhibition. Increasing the objects value significantly in monetary terms.
Rachel Whiteread is a leading British contemporary sculptor. She won the Turner Prize in 1993 for her work titled 'House'; a concrete cast of a Victorian house. In a review The Independant said, "A strange and fantastical object which also amounts to one of the most extraordinary and imaginative sculptures created by an English artist this century". However 'House' generated mixed responses as she also won the K Foundation art award in 1994 for worst British artist. She is one of the Young British artists, a group that also includes Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.
House, 1993, Rachel Whiteread, concrete cast of Victorian House.
The piece exhibited in the For What It's Worth exhibition by Whiteread is Untitled 1993 and is exhibited under the subsection: The Materiality of small things. The piece is a doorknob cast in bronze. I think that this piece the artist tries to get us to question the meaning behind the artwork as an ordinary object has been elevated to a higher status by being put in a different context; displayed in a glass box on top of a white pedestal.
The artwork makes me wonder if this object has a significant meaning to the artist and then I wonder about the everyday objects that have special meaning to me: ones affiliated with memories, good and bad.
This piece of work reminds me of Marcel Duchamp's 'Fountain'. He elevates an everyday object, a urinal, to a piece of artwork by a signature and an exhibition. Increasing the objects value significantly in monetary terms.
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