Wednesday 6th October

Liverpool Biennial Touched
A Foundation visit


The A Foundation has most probably been my favourite exhibition visit so far. I found the space alone really interesting, and how there seemed to be a contrast between old and new qualities combined together. I think this made it appear a more interesting art space and well organised. I also liked how there was a member of the A Foundation team there to guide us around the space and to answer any of our questions about the work, which they answered well and in great depth, giving us a better understanding and insight into the work.
The works in this exhibition made me think much more about my own work and how differently similar topics can be expressed and presented.


The artist that fascinated me beyond anything was Sachiko Abe with her performance, drawing, film and sculptural installations, 'Cut Paper, 2010', which I am sure most people have also stated.
On first entering the room, I didn't notice the artist herself sat above, performing as part of the work. I was automatically distracted by the huge collection of paper cuttings set up in the centre of the room, alongside the sound of the cutting of the paper, (which I later discovered was a live sound coming from the microphone which was attactched o her scissors).

Exploring duration, repetition and constraints over the last seven years is beyond a commitment to the work. I found the whole process of continuous routine mesmerising, I could have literally stayed and watched her throughout her daily sessions.
Although Sachiko Abe states herself "my work is neither beautiful nor meditational", I found for me this was the case. The set up of the paper alone is beautiful, and so perfectly cut. And it seems like she was in a transe like state almost doing this, unaware of her surroundings and the many people walking in and out of the room, as if she just switched off. However, I noticed at one point that she stopped cutting as people were making to much noise, they distracted her, which she later apologised for later as she passed us.

The drawing works I also loved, which like 'Cut Papers', Abs spends intensive durational periods of time drawing, producing an intricate graphic weave, again transforming a white sheet of paper. Again these works are beautiful and deffinitely intreguing. I felt mself staring at the precise detail. I'm amazed at how she got eac tiny circle shape the same by hand, I also really like the bottom of the large piece, it looked like a ripped edge of a sheet of paper and kneeling on the cushions which were provided on the floor made it easier to see the detail- feeling almost part of the work. I feel I connected with these series of drawings as it reminded me of works I did in the past of repetitious writing.

I also found the video piece really interesting and again quite medative but I preffered to watch her in person, I felt more connected. I am so glad that I've had the opportunity to see her work, it was definitely an experience.

The performance, video and photography works by Anitti Laitinen I also found quite interesting. I enjoyed the personal endurance he commited into his collection of his works and his almost dilusional imagination thats quite obvious to see in the extremely demanding  tasks. Although there was only certain pieces I really loved.

'Walk the line', I personally really enjoyed. The end combined piece caught my eye straight away, even more so after been told that the lines of his face were created by walking through the forest with a devise attatched to him capturing his movement. The idea alone is a great one and links perfectly with his other works and ideas.

I also found myself attracted to the installation 'Three Stones', which simply held three stones in which he collected after 7 minutes, 7 hours and 7 days of digging a huge hole in the floor. I'm unsure as to why I like this so much, it's beyond simplicity but presented alone with the information in a glass case I think worked really well, especially next to the huge photograph which was presented on the wall next to it.

The colection of works by The New Contempories was also very interesting to see as a viewer and fellow art student. I enjoyed the range of different works and ideasand how each of the artst have expressed and the theme touched.
I particularly enjoyed the 2D animation 'Cut' by Kristian de la Riva, and found myself watching the piece a number of times. The simpleline drawings in black and white worked really well together and I found the piece abserloutly hilarious, I couldn't stop laughing but at times cringing. This piece stood out to me from all the others and I think it's definitely an interesting way to explore 'touched'.

Sachiko Abe 'Cut Papers'
http://www.afoundation.org.uk/liverpool/details.php?id=57

Anitti Laitinen 'Walk the line'
http://www.afoundation.org.uk/liverpool/details.php?id=56

Kristian de la Riva 'Cut'
http://apartment-project.blogspot.com/2009/12/kristian-de-la-riva-on-his-work.html

Symbolism

I came about using symbolism as a way of being suggestive with my images and text, and one of the words I have used alot in my development is 'Vicious Cycle' and so instead of the typical rectangular basis of previous works, I created them as a circle and rings of images and text.

'Vicious Cycle' carved out

A ring of the black and white photographs with the word 'CONTROL' repeated around the edge in black transfer lettering.

Two rings of my black and white photographs linked, representing connection.
Along with 'Vicious Cycle' repeated in transfer lettering around the edge of the first ring and 'FEAR' repeated in pencil stencilling around the second ring.

The text 'Vicious Cycle' in this study is created using the black and white photographs

Editing

I edited my photographs in a word document, focusing on the negative of the image. I like the effect created in these studies and find it links with my previous ideas with the body pressing as they kind of look like body prints themselves.

White transfer text applied at the bottom of the study 'CONTROL',  I find the addition of the one word suggests what the works about without being obvious...making the viewer think I suppose.

Small pencil stencilled text applied to the corner of each image.

Wednesday 29th September (Part 2)

Binary Cell- Never Records

Resembling a functional record store, I found this installation really interesting. I love how it brings people together, sharing music and ideas whilst exploring what is real and what is fictional. I instantly felt comfortable in the space and talking to the creaters, they definitely made us feel welcome.

http://feelinglistless.blogspot.com/2010/10/liverpool-biennial-2010-stefan.html

Wednesday 29th September

Liverpool Biennial Touched
Seel Street visit

Overall I found this particular exhibition quite strange. The space alone didn't appear as an 'ordinary' gallery space which was interesting and the order and feel of the layout was un-usual, but I liked that, I liked that I was a little unaware of my surroundings and the different works that were presented.
I became aware that none of the works were typically traditional (i.e. paintings, drawings, photography), but more so installation, vidio and sound based works which I am not very familiar with. Although after the visit I feel I can relate more so to this type of work. I enjoyed most of the pieces, they all worked really well as an exhibition together and the balance in the rooms were just right...it wasn't overwhelming.
I enjoyed the experience because it was different, and I am loving the visits every week as I feel as though I am becoming more aware of art and the different organisations around us. Although because the building was ridiculously cold, it kind of ruined my experience as it made me want to leave to get some were warmer.

Most of the works presented in the space interested me in different ways but the one piece in particular that impacted on me the most was the vidio Installation by Jani Ruscica 'Beatbox'. This piece was the last I saw and instantly raised my spirits, making me smile without being aware, I found myself tapping and moving to the sound, beats and music in the installation, making me want to dance.
Interperating and Imitating the sounds of their surroundings through beatbox and dance, I think it's a great contrast with the nature and cultural context. I love how the subject of hip hop and beatbox, something so different and seperate to art, incorporated with vidio can work so well, depicting the environment of urban metropolis.
At one point through watching the vidio, I almost forgot were I was, I became fixated on the dance and the different sounds made...It all linked together really well in my opinion.
I wouldn't say this piece has influenced my work at the minute, although it has given me an insight on vidio works and how well sound can be incorporated.

Another piece I found really interesting was the video installation by Clemencia Echeverri 'Voz'. Sitting in the room in which the vidio was shown, I instantly felt a little uncomfortable and strange. The very slow movement of the clips (which at first I was unsure wether this was the case or if it was my eyes diseaving me) and the range of sounds incorporated that exist in prisons was a great contrast, the speed of the movement is what made the work so interesting. I felt myself going into a transe almost , staring at the same image and listening to the different sounds, trying to guess what each sound was. I liked that I was unaware, eliminating the sense of identity, and focusing more on the sounds that were incorporated.
I enjoyed how the piece made me feel, unaware of my surroundings and just simply listening. The flowing of the clips was interesting, showing me the range of techniques that can be used in vidio installation.

Control

I began experimenting with a selection of the photographs, being suggestive instead of obvious, working mostly in black and white representing negativity; and so I decided on working small as I didn't want the images to be seen as clearly and then using text and other elements to cover up the images almost...representing control.

Black biro stencilled text

Pencil stencilled text

Carved out and pencil stencilled text

Black and 'skin toned' thread applied using a sewing machine on different settings

Lines of black thread applied in repeated lines using a sewing machine

Repetition of pencil handwritten words

Pencil stencilled text alongside the covering of splashes of white emulsion and the carving of the word 'LIES'

This time using the original coloured photographs I again covered the images using splashes of white emulsion

Realisation

As I am relying significantly on myself and my own personal issues on this subject, I decided on moving away from using the found images and took a step further into my own problems....taking segragated photographs of areas of my own body...the realisation of my body definitely had a positive impact on my work.

Friday 24th September

Liverpool Biennial Touched
Fact Visit

I've always found this gallery space interesting, I like the layout and space of the building, it has a friendly atmosphere and being quite small, the space isn't overwhelming; alongside the cinema screenings which makes it different from any other. But I found the talk at the beginning of the visit gave me further insight into FACT and how the community is a strong part of their ideas, incorporating and involving them into their projects.

Tehching Hsieh's 'One Year Performance' definitely had a positive impact on me. I found the whole experience of the room fascinating, the idea and the experimentation was beyond anything I have seen. I felt drawn to the work as I walked around the room, I especially loved the delicate presentation of the polaroid photograthsand the section in the centre of the room in which displayed his statement and a list of the things he did to make the work a success.

These works have made me look at art totally differet, the ideas and different works I have seen recently have inspired me to do so much more with my own works. This piece has had more of a positive impact on me, its shown me how ranged art can be and that anything can be done when you put your heart into it.

Kaarina Kaikkonen's 'Hanging onto each other' is an installation creating spaces within spaces, where the artist herself is trying to understand herself in the process. 'Healing, care and unconditional love' I love what the piece represents.
This is another piece I found fascinating and is the first piece seen on entering the building, giving a great first impression. I love how something really quite simple can have such a strong, personal, hidden meaning. Again I love how this artist has used the public to create the work, incorporating many other memories, including her own.
I like how the work is still personal, taking inspiration from her childhood memories; her fathers jacket and mothers shoes. But it still takes its form by local donors, incorporating their memories. Her two pieces make it her own memory.
The presentation of the clothes is definitely powerful and eye catching...taking over a large space. This could be experimented with in the different spaces the work is exhibited.
I suppose this piece has impacted on my work a little, showing me variations of presentation. I was thinking of using clothing in the project I am working on at the minute and so may take the inspiration from her ideas further into my studies.

Minouk Lim's HD vidio and sound projection 'The weight of Hands' has no connection to my work at the minute but I found the vidio highly interesting, although nothing I would usually look at.
I found the piece quite poetic to watch, I was drawn to colour use and editing of the vidio which I also found quite strange but something I had to continue watching. I loved the choice of music, the beats were relaxing and hypnotic almost and later on in the day the beats were still in my head, giving the work a stronger outcome.



Tehching Hsieh 'One Year Performance'





Kaarina Kaikkonen 'Hanging onto Each Other'



Minouk Lim 'The weight of Hands'

I began to look at segragating my images...selecting the areas of the photographs which I found the strongest...being suggestive instead of obvious so the viewer has a sense in what the works about but can make up there own mind.
Alongside the use of my sewing machine, a different way of incorporating marks/ lines...representing 'Control'....I am in control doing this, just like eating habits.

The process of the doing and the representation of the sewing became the work alone.

Segragated found Image

Sewed segragated linear lines over an emulsion print of a magazine cover.

Linear segragated pencil lines and stencilled text over a print of a magazine cover.

Sewed segragated linear lines over an emulsion print of eating disorder information.

Wednesday 22nd September

Liverpool Biennial Touched
Renshaw Street Visit

I thoroughly enjoyed the first of the gallery visits and found it a great experience overall. I especially liked the layout and feel of the building and how old characteristics of the previous shop still remained in the space. I feel I benefitted from a number of the works presented in the gallery, enjoying the range of ideas relating to the theme touched.

Lee Mingiuei's 'The Mending Project' Installation I loved, it brings the community together, involving them into a project as one, as they bring in articles of clothing that require mending. 
'Shared understanding, an intimacy and calm atmosphere, moments of reconnection and recognition between individuals, meaningful but are frequently lost.' 

I wouldn't say this particular piece has had any impact on my ideas and work I am creating at the minute but I found the piece fascinating, especially the scaling and how the work was presented overall. I found the range of colour and thread really interesting and liked how some of the thread was dangling loose whilst others were attatched to a piece of clothing...associating the potential to build sociability, understanding and trust.
The personal value and memory incorporation reminded me of my own work in a way, where as I use only my own or someone close to me as my inspiration.

Karmelo Bermejo's 'The Grand Finale' HD vidio transferred to Blue-Ray, definitely had a possitive effect on me. I am aware of vidio based work but to me this is different. The ultimate global threat is celebrated in this artwork, which questions our fears and insecurities related to the consequences of the credit crunch, through the use of fireworks bearing the word 'Recession'.
I instantly felt involved in this piece as the we all as viewers can connect with the issues behind the work. Straight away I felt I knew what the work represented but I was interested to find out if there was any hidden  meaning or depth to the idea.

The piece made me think alot about were my own work is going and how different it could be in time. Seeing this has made me feel I need to experiment more, move away from my comfort zone and pushing my ideas to a different level. I enjoyed the simplicity of the process and how powerful of a message the one word gives, it was pleasent to watch and quite calming. Alongside the duration of the piece, at only 2minutes, 29seconds, the vidio certainly didn't get boring and I found myself watching it a number of times.  

NS Harsha's 'Sky Gazers' makes social and political commentary on a range of issues surrounding globilisation, such as migrant labour, media representation and changing notions of cultural heritage. I would say this piece was most definitely my favourite piece of work in the exhibition, I felt involved, and part of the work almost, the moment I entered the room. The work has most definitely had a positive impact on me, I am intreigued by the piece as I have never seen anything quite like it as a viewer, feeling so involved. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
On first entering the room and laying on the floorlooking up at the mirror at the work and myself, I felt a sense of claustrophobia  and paranoia which I found quite strange. It was an overall strange feeling. But the sense of community, and relaxation soon took over and I found myself laid in the same position for some time taking in each image.
Aiming at an emotional involvment, the artist invites the viewer inside the work. I love the action he has taken to create this work which I think certainly works. The strong, community based idea makes the piece even more powerful.
I like how the style of painting is almost frequently humerous, I found some of the images quite funny, wereas others a little weird. The colour palette of the images is quite rural, and almost quite child like, I would say this adds to the overall outcome of the piece. But I cant help but think what other effect could be created if the images were painted a little more realistic.

Meschac Gaba's 'Souvenir Palice' mixed media installation highlights the critique and overturn percieved notions of cultural identity, focusing in particular on the cultural and economic codes of exchange between Africa and the West.
I think this piece is the only installation I didn't particularly enjoy. I really like the reasoning behind the work and what he as an artist is trying to say but I think as a whole it was too much to take in for me. I think It's the strong use of bright colours  that has given me this opinion.
Certain aspects of this piece I liked, such as the objects he has worked over (souvenirs) and how each section of the work was positioned.
Each individual artist have their own likes and dislikes as i'm sure alot of the viewers around me loved the work.

Tim Eithel, is a new found artist who's paintings I automatically loved. The detail in the images is imaculate, imense and perfect in scale. As size was experimented, both large and small pieces worked brilliantly as one and as a whole together. The topics suggested in his works were certainly intreguing and is an issue in every area world wide.



'The Mending Project'





'The Grande Final'





'Sky Gazers'



'Souvenir Palice'



Colour

I thought about using the relation and meaning of colour as a way of expressing feelings without having to say anything else about the subject.

• Orange= Intense craving of food, thoughtful, control.
• Green= Protection from fears and anxieties.
• Brown= Dull, un-noticed, allowing one to stay in the background.
• Grey= Isolated

Alongside collage with found Images and text
(a list of words in which represent an eating disorder)

Yves Klein's Anthropometry series inspired me to experiment with body pressing...I love the effect created from the paint and the texture of the skin; using an average sized body to use as a comparison between the 'size zero'.

Yves Klein

Yves Klein was a french artist who was considered an important figure in post-war European art,  and classified as 'Neo-Dada'.
Klein experimented with various methods of applying paint; firstly different rollers and then later sponges, created a series of varied surfaces. He was obsssed with capturing the presense of objects that took up space  and so this experimentation lead to a number of works he made using naked female models covered in blue paint and dragged across or layed upon canvases to make the image, using the models as 'living brushes'. This type of work he called Anthropometry.

 

Often created in public using paint coated nude models, the Anthropometries are body prints made directly on the canvas. Thes paintings, in which the artists hand played no part, retain an image that is as close as possible to their subject. In this sense, they present an objective measure of the body.



As a starting point to this project I began exploring how attitudes towards ‘size zero’ have an impact on wider social environments. Initially looking into eating disorders and the fixation with being super skinny, alongside the issues making this problem a major concern, such as; magazines and airbrushing, constant diet advertisements and constant reminders of what is seen as the ‘perfect body’.

Alongside relying significantly on my own personal experiences and how the subject is perceived in general, taking it further into my own issues, the conflict exposed because of it, and how differently emotions are expressed and dealt with in different environments...trying to achieve awareness and understanding to everyone around me as well as myself.

I will be incorporating text into my work, personally involving my varying thoughts and feeling s on my situation into my studies as well as found resources.

Experimenting with colour, found images and text, collage and layoring, emulsion prints and stencelling.