Still Experimenting

Still experimenting with my strips of photography and text; I am thinking of other ways in which the work can be presented whilst still playing with past ideas.

In this particular piece, I hand wrote every word and thought that came to mind at this point in my development, on white paper and simply cut into strips using the same process of the previous strips. Tieing these strips together,I decided to hang this piece from a fixture in the ceiling, simply using thread. I like the idea of a single piece taking over a larger space with nothing else to distract the viewer from that image. I found the idea of hanging the strips interesting alone as just like past Ideas; the listed words incorporated are mixed and wrapped and so all still cant be read and understood. But the hanging of the text shows me letting go almost, just like other ideas....its not tightly wrapped like the 'balls of photography' which represented my control of this situation.
I am deffinitely moving on which I am sure my work and Ideas will begin to show this change.

If I decide to take this idea further, the text may be changed and applied in a different way and imagery may be incorporated. Alongside the size of the idea will be much larger...taking over a larger space and creating more of an environment for myself and the viewer.

Ika Ude and Ghada Amer

In the lecture given on Monday 22nd November by Jagjit Chuhan, I instantly became inspired by the works of 'Ghada Amer and 'Ika Ude'. Who's works represent 'The Body' in a similar context, and link in nicely with the 'touched' theme of the previous works seen.
Its not what these works represent that caught my attention, its these two pieces themselves and how the artists have expressed there ideas using similar ways of working in which I have in my own.

Ghada Amer is a multimedia artist whose entire body of work is infused with the same ideological and aesthetic concerns. Her work deals with issues of gender and sexuality, particularly the representation of female nudes in art history as ideal objects rather than human beings with a sexuality and eroticism of their own.

In this particular piece 'Barbie Loves Ken, Ken Loves Barbie' (1995/2002)
Ghada Amer questions the role of steriotypes, which she refers to as "the idea of the model" and the various ways they can be interperated.
Embroidered across the cotton jumpsuits are the words 'Barbie Loves Ken, Ken Loves Barbie'. This famous couple may evoke childhood memories of a powerful role playing game.
Despite the title of the work, the absense of a female in Barbie's suit or a male in Kens leaves open the possibilities that either gender could choose which one to wear. Amer characteristically resists the rigid gender fixity that these childhood toys rely on.

"The idea of the model to followed is what interests me in steriotypes, and we are controled by this in our lives". Ghada Amer.

I found this piece exceptionally interesting alone before even reading up on the artist and the reasoning behind the work, which inspired me further. I love the incorporation of the repetition of the text on the objects themselves and especially how the piece has been presented; and I immediately saw a comparison between this and one of my own works 'Body Manakin and text' (shown previously in this blog) which shows a similar outcome with text covering a female form.

Ika Uda began using photography to explore and deconstruct issues of representation and identity. His work reflects a range of issues that include identity, fashion, communication, celebrity, humour and performance.

This particular piece 'Untitled #16' (2003) Is a photograph mounted on alluminium. In this work he creates compelling, lyrical images that capture the ellagance of high fashion and the anonymity of the inscribed and disembodied self. The works acknowledge the artists Igbo heriage by recalling the body and wall motifs of Uli, a womans art form in Nigeria. While the designs he uses are reminisent of home.

Again, this piece reminded me of my own work. But made me think more so about the media that could be used further in my development and how I could maybe present my ideas later on in the project. I really like the simplicity of this study; the shape and monocrome colour usage and how the simple markings create a strong contrast with the bodies in the photograph.

Presentation

Continuing to experiment with  the presentation of my works; I began to think more so about my balls of photography and the space in which they would stand if taken further. Weather standing alone or as a group, I like the idea of them been presented as a singular piece, so that attention isn't taken away from the information that I have decided to share alongside the delicate form of the images.

 The wrapping of my photographs became a majour part of these works...almost a way of hiding/ covering up the reality.
In this particular piece I decided to leave a few of the strips lose; giving the look of a ball of wool which has been left to roll. I like this resemblance and think it works well as a study and to represent the whole meaning of the idea...letting go almost....admitting.

This piece would be presented alone, in a large space on the floor. Creating more of an involvment with the viewer as they would have to lean down and walk around the piece to focus on the images and the selection of words which I have applied on the lose strips using lettered stamps and black ink.

I definitely think that the text works well with the images, just like past development studies; giving more of a suggestion as to what the works represent; but still giving them the chance to make there own interpretation.

Further Development

Thinking more so into the presentation aspects of my ideas, I am trying out ways in which the work could be exhibited whilst still developing.

Here is a much larger version of the 'pile of photography' I created previously which if I took further would be presented in the corner of a room, taking up that whole space.
Again it would be made a whole lot larger, creeping up the wall alongside across, and would remain black and white representing the negativity of my experiences.

On the strips of imagery which will be creeping up and across the walls will be a selection of the words I have used throughout my development.
I will apply the text using lettered stamps and black ink.

Wrapped Thoughts

Alongside wrapping my strips of imagery into large spheres, I decided to do the same but with strips of text, using the selection of words I have used previously in my development.
Clustering the words underneith the ball represents the continuous thoughts running through the mind.

I don't particularly like the outcome of this piece and much prefer the balls of imagery and so if this idea was to be taken further, I would apply the text in a different way.

Wednesday 10th November

Liverpool Biennial Touched
Public Realm

 The mixed media outdoor installation by Do Ho Suh 'Bridging Home' was a piece I was really excited to see although on arrival I was a little disappointed; I expected it to have a more appealing outcome, giving me a stronger reaction, which I can't say it did. However I love how bringing the art outside of a gallery space and into a public space gives the community an opportunity to see art by just simply passing by; and I don't think the work would have the same effect or give the same statement if it was presented indoors either.
I love the reasoning behind the work; being split between two realms, Korea being his home country and America his adoptive one and bridging these two parts of his life together. And now knowing the reasoning behind the work, I’m definitely inspired by the installation and his ideas; it has made me think further into how my work can be presented and exhibited in the future.

                                      http://beat-city-images.co.uk/wordpress/?p=32

 Tala Madani's commission 'Sunny Side Up', looks politically and personally on the issues of sexual and cultural identity in which men in particular are her recurrent subjects; raising a lively public debate around the fine line that conventionally separates decorum from vulgarity when it comes to the representation of men and the instrumental use of their body in the public arena. Depicted in a cartoon like, almost surreal exaggeration, the images appear more abstract to me due to the sheer size of the mural; which definitely grabs your attention when passing by. I love the simplicity of this piece and how the longer you stare at it, things begin to look different and almost change, whether this is purposely the case or if it was my eyes deceiving me. I personally saw what looked to be two rows of women laid on their backs with legs in the air, showing their black knickers...others around me saw different.
Again, exhibiting the piece outside of a gallery space, almost like an advertisement, the work gave a stronger statement as a whole....grabbing much more ‘accidental’ attention.

Working Larger Again

Still continuing with stripping my photographs and wrapping them into a ball shape; I made one seperate piece, which is much larger to stand alone.
Onto one of the weaved strips I applied the word 'CONTROL' using white transfer stickers...Giving the viewer a better insight as to what the work represents.

Continuation

Alongside experimenting with different ideas, I continued with my balls of photography. I think these alone stand really well as an instillation which at this point I can picture in a gallery space. I am also enjoying the process of making them; it’s become part of the work itself. Taking the idea further I decided to make the balls much larger, I also cut the strips of photography thicker so that the images can be seen a little more clearly...still being suggestive instead of obvious.
I like how the viewer will have to come much closer to the work, focusing on each strip of imagery to come to there conclusion of what the piece represents.

Alongside setting the balls up in a white backgroud as an installation almost (above), I quite liked the look of the objects on my desk as I made them; surrounded by the paper, scrissors and strips....almost showing the process.

Again, if this idea was taken further, I would make alot more of these to be presented together....How, i'm not to sure yet.

Wednesday 3rd November

Liverpool Biennial Touched
Public Realm

The talk at the beginning of the day inspired me alone, it made me think about art in a different context; politics in art hasn't ever really crossed my mind. It has always been provided for us, we pay the tax for it so why should'nt it. It annoyed me to hear that the funding for arts will be reduced, and that the government can decide on which works can be exhibited or not. Art is art, it's supposed to have mixed opinions....if it didn't, what would be the point.

http://www.designtaxi.com/news/31219/We-Wish-To-Inform-You-That-We-Didn-t-Know-Video-Installation/


The video installation by Alfredo Jaar 'We Wish to Inform You That We Didn’t Know' made me think further into politics, art and culture. I really enjoyed watching this piece and found it quite emotional. Presented in the dark and derelict reception area of the old Scandinavian Hotel, it is a video installation across three screens. I liked how the piece was presented and put together, repeating and pausing certain clips...making you think more about what was said I suppose. I found the dark, cold room, uncomfortable seating and the daylight from the basement atmospherically slipping in from underneath through bare rough wooden floorboards, deffinitly added to the effect of the installation. It was a strange feeling, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The three Rwandans who were interviewed and incorporated into the installation makes the piece much more powerful;  they were directly effected by the action in their state and how they survived through sheer luck. It was obviously sad and I found myself with a lump in my throat as they told there stories in such detail. It was really interesting, and I quite liked how it was subtitled so we was reading what they were saying alongside listening to there language.
As the video finished and we were leaving the room, I all of a sudden felt really selfish. It made me think about what goes on in the world and with politics, something I don't really think about. This work deffinitly had an effect on me, which I was still thinking about later on in the night.
The film was made in response for the criminal indifference of international community among the genocide committed in Rwanda that cost about a million lives. Using and extraordinary documentary material and an astonishing visual poetry, the artist express a continuing indignation for the brutal genocide that could have been avoided.
It collects footage from various sources to investigate and ruminate on the Rwandan genocide. With clips of Clinton in which he apologies for the inaction of those who were in a position to intervene in which he suggests that they didn’t know the scale of what was happening. I don't have an opinion on if this was the case, to me he looked genuinly sorry, wether this was a cover up or not.

Body Manikin and text

Before attempting my body casting again, I decided on using a female manikin which focuses from the neck to the thighs; as this is the part of my body I am going to cast. At first I emulsion printed my photographs onto the surface of the body but the images didn’t transfer because of the glossy surface.
And so I decided on using my list of words in which I have used throughout my development to cover the manikin. To do this, I cut out selected letters and words from newspapers, purposely using odd shapes and sizes and arranged them in order across the body.  I like the overall look of this, the black and white and combining the chaotic with order; it has a more obvious approach to the subject matter but also isn’t as personal to me.

Pile of photography

I have been continuing with the process of cutting my grids of photographs into strips, being suggestive with the images instead of obvious. Although instead of rolling the paper into balls as I have been doing, I kept the strips as they were as I liked how they fell in a pile as I was cutting them; almost showing the act.
Doing this has the same representation as the balls of photography, but I suppose in a way, the more relaxed approach defines a loss in control.

Wednesday 27th October

Liverpool Biennial Touched
Liverpool Tate

I was really looking forward to seeing the work exhibited at the Tate gallery, although I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected I would. Don't get me wrong, all of the work shown was really interesting and all were unique with great ideas but there was only two pieces which I loved and are still stuck in my mind; Wannes Goetschalckx '1 WITHOUT' and Eva Kot 'atkova 'Rudolf's Room'.

I found Wannes Goetschalckx ideas incredible. I love everything about the work and enjoyed watching each individual video clip repeatedly, also finding them quite funny. I liked how the small televisions were displayed in the room, scattered in different directions and making the viewer walk around to see each clip, becoming more involved in the work. I especially enjoyed his live performance in the work, which I didn't realise at first untill I heard him moving about inside the space in the centre of the piece. It was quite entertaining to watch his incorporation, and just like 'Sachiko Abe in Cut Paper', he seemed to be in a transe like state, focusing on the repetition of the task and his reasoning behind it.

http://ko-kr.connect.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=144658225575839


I felt I really connected with Eva kot 'atkova's 'Rudolfs Room',  I found it quite an emotional piece, wether this was meant from the work or not; not so much the set up of the bedroom in front of me but the description and story behind the work itself....I could picture the story as I was reading, becoming absorbed into the piece, and examining each object in the room.
The work definitely had a possitive impact on me, not so much effecting my own work but I was still thinking about the work for a few days after.

Balls of photography

Inspired by Sachiko Abe with 'Cut Paper', I began using a similar cutting motion to my grids of photographs. The repetative process of the cutting almost became the work itself, I found it quite medatative and in a way felt a sense of control doing it. I then began to roll up the strips of paper into ball like shapes, being suggestive but still hiding the images almost.
This idea represents how easy a problem can be easily ignored/ thrown away (like a scrumpled up piece of paper in which these ball like shapes look familiar to).

If this idea was to be taken further, the balls of photographs would be much larger and there would be much more of them...taking up a corner of a room maybe, which I think would give a stronger outcome to the idea.

Body Casting

I found the Body Double works really interesting, especially the pieces from the 'Prosthetics' series in which she has done casts of sections of her own body. This inspired me to cast my own body, which I planned to work over with text.
I attempted to cast the upper torso of my body, from my hips to my neck but the alginate impression material I used was the wrong kind and so didn't work how I hoped....I will attempt this again but using casting plaster.

Julie Rrap

Julie Rrap 'Body Double' brings together photography, video, sculpture and installation, exploring the persona of the ‘trickster’ in Rrap’s work, the theme of the ‘body double’, and the ways in which the artist oversteps the margins of bodily comfort.

Rrap explores representational issues relating to the body through media such as photography, video, sculpture and installation. Broadly influenced by activist politics, including feminism, Rrap often uses her own body in an uncompromising and compelling way to question perception and power structures.

Victoria Lynn, Guest Curator, comments: “Rrap’s representation of the body is never comfortable, as the figure is often fragmented, distorted or forced into different personas, inevitably raising ethical and aesthetic issues in relation to how we depict, interpret and understand the human form”.

http://www.roslynoxley9.com.au/artists/32/Julie_Rrap/1083/

After looking at the artist 'Kaarina Kaikkonen's work 'Hanging onto each other', I thought about working with clothing in my own work and so using the photographs I've used in previous development I transfer printed the images onto plain white tops.

Representing the same message as the other works; again the clothing is another cover up. Its a way of showing that clothing can hide whats underneith which in this case is the images printed onto the tops.

Further Experimentation

Weaving the Images, again to cover up/ hiding the images....representing 'control'

Basically layoring a selection of the images and spray painting over,
carving 'Control' tells the story

Wednesday 20th October

Leggate Theatre
Artist Performance- Andy Houlden
'Three Short Walks In Time'

http://www.visitliverpool.com/site/whats-on/search/andy-holden-three-short-works-in-time-p275461

I did'nt know anything about Andy Houlden or his work before seeing this performance, although I was suprised at what I saw. To be fair, I don'y know what I expected but I was nicely taken back when I saw the live orcestra and conductor with the set up on the stage.  I have never seen anything like this before, especially in art work but it was deffinately a great experience.

I enjoyed every part of the piece although I cant say I really understood what the work was actually about besides it investigating the relationship between sculptural objects and duration. The first word that comes to mind about the music is 'beautiful', it instantly made me feel relaxed and kind of made me shut off from everything around me. I found myself in a transe almost watching the conductor and his gentle, perfectly excecuted movement- he too was part of the art. It was also nice to see the connection between the artist and the the act, it gave me the impression that the work may be personal to himself almost. It made me question myself as to what he was trying to say through the performance. 

I found each section of the performance had a repetative process, from the images, the act in which he used the marbles, the video clips, sound to Andy himself speaking through a section of the work. I likes this incorporation to the work; 'We sat together the mountain and I till only the mountain remained'.
I think it creates a stronger reaction  and makes you remember the work. It reminds me of my work in a way, repetition is a key element in my development, representing 'control'...It was nice to see this in a different context and environment.

I suppose in a way, the performance made me question art and how in this particular work the musci speaks for itself and so the simplicity and unusual incorporations of the other elements worked really well. It has deffinately made me think about experimenting and maybe using music and sound in my own work. I think it gives art a completely different outcome and reaction, making it stronger as a whole.

Scale

I continued working with the photographs in the same way, gridded in a repetative layout and covering the images a little using different techniques; but just working a little larger.
If I was to take this idea further, the scale of the overall piece would be huge (taking over a whole wall maybe) although the images would remain small. I like how the viewer has to come close to the work to take in the images and text.

Repeated pencil scribbling, hiding the images

Repetative hand writing covering the images of the list of words
representing what goes on in the mind with an eating disorder

Stamped lettering from the list of words, again hiding the images.