25-02-2020
First Day of FMP:
After having completed my proposal I am feeling pretty good about where I am going to take this project. I'm really passionate and excited about the theme for my FMP and am motivated work hard and push myself to getting a strong pass at the end of the year. With my theme dealing with current affairs, it should be relatively easy for me to gather information and find various imagery to use for inspiration.
After handing in my proposal there were a few things that I needed fix with my rationale. So this afternoon I fixed up my proposal and went to the library to look for any interesting books I could use. I came across this rather interesting book that takes close up images of cells and bacteria under certain stresses and environments. I took a few photocopies of some images and phrases I though would be interesting to use to develop a mood board.
Example of the impact of media sensationalism
29-02-2020
Petersham Nurseries:
Over the weekend I went with a friend to Petersham Nurseries to look at the stores and. have a coffee. Upon walking around the shops, I was. really intrigued by some of the ceramics that were on display. The images above are some examples of what I saw. I was mainly intrigued by the colour and texture of these pieces; almost reminded me of bacteria and growing mold. The earthy colors are very natural.
The vases were made using clay and are handcrafted. Unfortunately I was unable to find the artist. Throughput my project I intend to explore various textures. I quite like the look of the holes. Very grotesque and make me feel uncomfortable.
05/06-02-2020
These past couple of days I worked on gathering more research and doing various experiments with foam clay as the main inspiration. During a collage workshop on Thursday, we explored various ways to use typography in collage. I found this very interesting as I am drawing inspiration from the use of words in the media. Trigger words and how they impact the reliability of articles and the stories being told. How exaggeration through words and images is used as a form of clickbait. There have been various articles that I seen the media everyday that I role my eyes at. With the current issue of coronavirus, the media is playing off of societal fear as a form of income. Rather than providing reliable news that educates and potentially saves people from contracting the virus, they use sensationalism in order to attract attention. This creates a wave of hysteria that creates more harm than good. Scared to leave houses, increased sales of hand sanitizer and protective masks. Have you ever thought that this is a form of advertisement conducting by the media in order for us to purchase more of these items?
07-03-2020
Tate Modern:
ALDO TAMBELLINI
Today I went to the Tate Modern with a few friends to do some research on Aldo Tambellini's 'Cell Series' exhibit. It is one of the permanent exhibits in the Tate Modern and explores his more participatory Electromedia work in 1963, fusing slide and film projections with music, dance, video, spoken word, performance, poetry and politics. Retracing Black reflects on his transition from paint to film to video to experimental performance, highlighting his fascination with circular shapes and blackness.
A triptych of hand-painted 16 mm films from the Black Film Series is featured along with unreleased works filmed by the artist in 1960s New York, while a series of projected ‘lumagrams’ – hand-painted glass slides – transforms cellular forms into a sculptural, kinetic installation. Electronic sound compositions are intertwined with the spoken words of Calvin C. Hernton, a poet and member of the Black Art Movement.
< Blognesi, P., Bursi, G. & Comer, S., 2012. Aldo Tambellini: Retracting Black. [Online]
Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/exhibition/aldo-tambellini-retracing-black
[Accessed 07 March 2020]. >
I was mainly inspired by Tambellini's small disks that replicated the look of cells. I liked the repetitive pattern of his drawn cells and the singular red dish. Reminded me of something urgent. Almost like the beginning of a spread of a virus. This with in cooperation with technology and using film and media, relates similarly to how to media in modern society is used to inform a large audience of an issue quickly.
12-03-2020
Arm Knitting:
Today we looked over the basics of arm knitting:
- How to cast on and off
- Knit
- Adding colour
As someone who already knows how to arm knit the first part of the workshop, today was a little distracting, as I found myself repeating things that I already knew. However, being able to work in groups and form each of our pieces together on the body was very helpful. Seeing how each of our knits can be placed on the body and draw from that was very interesting, especially considering I want to do something on the body for my final piece. As we were drawing I used a lot of the techniques we learn with Christopher during the fashion illustration workshop in part 2. Reminding myself to make sure my drawings were and the strokes replicated various textures of the materials. I tried to do various sketches from continuous line, to box drawings, only focussing on. colour and texture.
I really liked how my sample placed itself on the leg, its almost as if it had a mind of its own, yet was growing as it moved down the leg. My choice of material and colour was quite experimental, but I am intrigued by the way it turned out.
17/18-03-2020
I have stopped coming in to university as the journey I take too and from is very long and busy. I have realized it is safer that I stay in at home and focus on my work from here. This means that I will be unable to use the studio space, but I think I will be okay. I am moving down to my Godparent's place in Wadhurst in a couple of day and will have space there to work on my project. I am most worried about how I am going to document all my work to my tutor's when the time comes. My plan is to have the weekend to myself to figure out where I am going and what I am doing. I have packed all my art supplies and experiments in order to bring to theirs, so I will have a significant amount of materials to work with. I just unfortunately won't be able to work with anymore polymorph plastic as I have to order that online, and I don't think that will arrive due to the virus.
Today I updated my action plan for the coming three weeks. Knowing that we are unlikely to come in after the Easter Break, I needed to tweak my schedule so it catered to the change. I figured that I wouldn't be able to physically present my work, so I had to think how I could keep up with my workflow to illustrate everything that I was doing. I need to be taking photos of each of my work pages and experiments so I can upload them on workflow on a separate page. Think that will be the most convenient thing to do in order to be assessed fairly. It's not ideal that there isn't going to be an exhibition, but I am going to try my best to say on top of my work and make my own visual exhibition. An online portfolio.
22/23-03-2020
Attempting to do bubble art:
These past two days I had been attempting to experiment with bubble art. From various pictures I had seen of it, I thought it replicated the look of bacteria. The layering of the different colors and how it created new colours when mixed together. The bubble solution was a bit too wet so didn't imprint the bubble shapes on the page, rather morphed into a big blob. Despite it not looking like the photos, I still worked with it and tried to create something that had texture. I let the bubbles dry in the sun, and they sort of crystallized on the page and left small marks where the washing liquid had dried.
My uncle had the good idea of putting the mixture in a straw and blowing it out on the page, almost like a sneeze. I thought that was an interesting way to see where the paint would end up. I took this challenge on and decided to mix latex instead of the bubble mixture, so it would be thicker and have a rubbery texture when dry. My idea was to create a few of these samples and place them on the body to illustrate how the virus can consume the body. In the media, it has been made clear that symptoms of coronavirus may take up to 2 weeks to show, hence I thought I could photograph the sample on the body and then increase it by one in each picture. This is intended to illustrate how if society doesn't take the right precautions to preventing the virus, how it spreads once it is contracted.
26-02-2020
This material has been a huge inspiration throughout my project. The properties of the foam remind me of what close up images of bacteria look like. It is a self-hardening modelling compound that contains pearlescent plastic or foam beads, ideal for covering and modelling around various items. I am intrigued when I pull apart the clay, the strings stretch almost like a piece of gum. The pearl balls attach to the string and remind me of human veins and tissue. The little bubbles remind me of particles that can be found in microscopic images of cells and bacteria. I thought this would be a really interesting material to work with, as I have never used it in the past and it inspires to explore new shapes and textures. It is really fun to play with and mold. I want to explore this further to see how it can be applied to the body and specifically around the head.
27-02-2020
Going through the criteria and simplifying it our make it easier to understand and follow. I found this exercise very helpful as it allowed me to go through each criteria and point out what needs to be achieved in order to obtain higher marks. From prior projects I have been struggling with my research and context. I need to focus on doing more research and continuing to explore more ideas through my development. Visiting more places and art exhibitions should be vital for my primary research. I have been trying to do more mark making and drawings, which I believe has definitely help stimulate more ideas and processes.
03-03-2020
Knitting:
Today I finally learnt how to knit and it has now become an addictive hobby. I wanted to use various different mediums within this project that I am unfamiliar with. In past projects I have learnt how to finger and arm knit, but never traditional knitting. I am intrigued by the different repetitive patterns and stitches that are made and I am inspired to use them to replicate various bacterias and cells. With my first sample, I noticed quite a few large holes in the fabric that reminded me of various shaped circles in bacteria. I used my poor knitting skills to my advantage and tried to create more of these holes to produce a more organic and worn down texture in the knit.
I am intrigued to utilise typography through this project as I am heavily looking into media sensationalism. This is heavily promoted through the media's use of trigger words as scare tactics. From various articles that I have seen recently in the media that have popped top on my news feed, I have taken some of these words and tried to weave them through various holes in my knitted samples. This is intended to illustrate how to virus in cooperation with sensationalism create hysteria in society. Questioning 'which is more dangerous?'
How can I make the intention of my work more abstract?
16-03-2020
I had a one-on-one with Shane and Sicgmone today. We discussed what I intend to do in the coming weeks and where I am at now. So far I am really happy with my experimentation at the moment and excited to see where my work goes. I have been working with a lot of materials that I haven't worked with in the past, which is exciting, but it is also important that I continue to focus on the properties and potential of the material. After being introduced to polymorph plastic, it has been really interesting to create various shapes and embroidery and knit into the material. I want to continue knitting as I find the juxtaposition between the textures fascinating and interesting to work with on the body, especially around. the face. I intend to trap the head in my knitted samples, using the plastic samples to embroid into it. Create an illusion that it is. almost. oozing and melting out of the head.
We also discussed how the project could be less literal. Yes, my project looks a lot into the use of words in the media, but it may be more successful to not use actual words, rather imply them through symbols or images. We thought that photographing my samples on the body yet displaying them as a poster/magazine page or cover would imply the same message of the power of media sensationalism. Perhaps finding one word that is used frequently in news reports and articles, and using them on the page. Maybe embroidering words or letters into my knitted samples and stretching them onto the skin to see how they form.
My next step is to work on some more knitting and trying to embroider words/ letters into my knitted samples.
Here I have experimented with bubbles, looking at the form of them and how they move in open air. I am going to experiment with dying the bubble solution different colours, so when they pop on the page they will leave a mark. This texture reminds me a lot of what bacteria would look like if it could been seen in the open eye. the movement is very organic and fluid.
19-03-2020
Today I moved to my Godparent's place to stay safe. I have been staying on top of the news recently and will continue to do so through these coming days. I think for my project especially, the news is a great source of research for me. I have been making note of common words that have been used in press conferences to discuss this topic of the virus, and analysing how authoritative figures address the media. What sort of language are they using and why? Are they using certain trigger words to scare society? How effective is this language?
I read this really interesting article ab out how the media uses linguistics to manipulate us:
<https://www.writerscookbook.com/media-uses-language-manipulate/>
I thought it was a very fascinating read, considering it relates directly to what I am looking into. The use of various critical verbs and how they change the meaning and interpretation of a phrase.
I saw this example which is a perfect representation of how the use of wording can create hysteria in society. The use of imagery and linguistics together are the perfect pair in creating sensationalism and manipulation. Figurative language allows us to not only read about something, but to help create a picture in our head. Language is an incredible tool and like any great power, can be used for good and evil. What’s important is how you use it. How you say something is often more important than what you actually mean.
24-03-2020
Part 3 Tutorial Feedback and reflection:
Had a very helpful tutorial with Katie over Zoom today. We discussed a lot about what I can do with the work I already have. How can I evaluate these pieces and use them in different contexts. Mainly focussing on various ways these samples can be applied on the body.
Feedback and actions on Studio Practice (sketchbook pages and outcomes):
- Drawing it out: scale drawings. Could be small particles (almost bread crumb like) and then them transforming/morphing into large organic objects. The distance between things.
- Drawing it onto the body, where can it go from there? Look at CSM Student, Fredrick Tjærandsen- envelops models in rubber balloons.
Feedback and actions on Contextual Practice on Workflow:
- Bubble shapes taking form. How I can use my flat samples and transform them onto the body, or in bubble shapes. This can be done through scanning images onto photoshop and manipulating them on there. Repurposing samples to make bubble shapes.
- Taking the literal context out and utilising shape to express the media rather than typography. Shape of news articles, a repeating phrase, emotion.
- Using photography and magazine cover layout to present these samples.
- Placing onto the head or various parts of the body eg: hands, arms and or knees.
Feedback and actions on Research on Workflow:
Adding to workflow, doing more research on perhaps what the media are trying to hide from us? The unknown.
30/31-03-2020
These past couple of days I have been really sick. Haven't been able to get out of bed and do any work. So I've tried my best to be proactive and do some more research and make some plans of how I want my final outcome to look like. I am a little worried with the deadline arising so quickly. As mentioned previously I want to present my final product in the form of a magazine or poster. With this in mind, I had to choose appropriate words that could be displayed across the page. Having already made a list of the most common words used on new reports, press conferences, etc. I thought these would stand out amongst pages the most. I want to keep the layout simple and perhaps place the worn products on people doing daily tasks.
My next step is to do some more drawings and make making. I had been going through my sketchbook and noticed that I have done minimal drawings.
2-04-2020
Lots of drawings today, also finally have started mapping out how I want my final products to look in terms of placing them on the body. Am getting really excited about the final product. Still have a long way to go, but at least I am feeling inspired and am getting some ideas down on the page. Did a mini experiment with laying out some foam clay on the hand, seeing how it would react to the skin and if it would stick. It looked fantastic. Almost as if its. was growing from the skin or the skin had been burnt and was starting to bubble. If I could improve these further I would have used more skin tone foam clay to make it look more realistic. Unfortunately I am unable to get ahold of any more foam clay due to isolation so I am just going to have to work with what I have got and maybe play around with it in Photoshop.
28-02-2020
Experimenting with Polymorph:
Today I got to experiment with a new material that I have never used before.
POLYMORPH PLASTIC: Polymorph is a non-toxic, biodegradable polyester with a low melting temperature of about 60°C (140°F). Prototype plastic parts can be made by simply heating the plastic beads in hot water until they turn clear and then kneading them together and shaping by hand. When it cools it becomes a nylon-like white plastic. <https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10951>
I was really intrigued by the properties of this material and how easy it was to form various shapes with. It works like an air dry play dough but it dries much quicker. Over the weekend I picked up some foam clay, which I thought would be very interesting to experiment with as the small balls remind me of growing bacteria and mold.
I wanted to see what would happen if I melted the foam clay into the polymorph. After doing various experiments I found it to create very interesting shapes and almost replicate cells in a Petri dish. It was quite uncomfortable to look at but that. was what I intended to produce. The plastic was very easy to mold. I am further intrigued to see. what would happen if I molded it on the body and let gravity form the warm plastic into slime like shapes. When I think of viruses and diseases, I think of the build up of fluids in the body and growing bacteria. With his material I am able to explore these interpretations.
Renato Dib
Brazilian artist Renato Dib creates exquisite adaptations of the human form using velvet, silk, and other materials. The intimacy of the human form serves as an endless source of inspiration in his work. Beginning his career at a very early age, Renato’s work was first featured in an exhibition at the age of 14.
Textiles may represent or be like skin, spots, hair, wrinkles, grooves, eyelids, internal tissues, and organs. Folded fabric could be like the folds of the brain.
Since artwork cannot be touched, using attractive materials or creating situations that would prompt touch would be a sort of “transgression,” if that’s possible. It’s the same idea in the field of human relations: to touch or not to touch wounds and openings?
8-03-2020
These past couple of days I worked on gathering more research and doing various experiments with foam clay as the main inspiration. During a collage workshop on Thursday, we explored various ways to use typography in collage. I found this very interesting as I am drawing inspiration from the use of words in the media. Trigger words and how they impact the reliability of articles and the stories being told. How exaggeration through words and images is used as a form of clickbait. There have been various articles that I seen the media everyday that I role my eyes at. With the current issue of coronavirus, the media is playing off of societal fear as a form of income. Rather than providing reliable news that educates and potentially saves people from contracting the virus, they use sensationalism in order to attract attention. This creates a wave of hysteria that creates more harm than good. Scared to leave houses, increased sales of hand sanitizer and protective masks. Have you ever thought that this is a form of advertisement conducting by the media in order for us to purchase more of these items?
10-03-2020
Weaving:
My reflection is on page below:
21-03-2020
These past few days I have been trying to upload everything on to my workflow, which I am finding to take an extremely long time. Feeling slightly overwhelmed as I know we still have tasks to complete that have been given to us by our tutors too. I am taking one step at a time, reminding myself that everything must be recorded and uploaded to workflow. I have been working a lot on my sketchbook, doing more research on artists and experimenting more with different materials. These experiments I hope will contribute to my final product. Getting close towards the end now I am feeling like I am in a good position and have a significant amount of research. What I do need to focus on is more artist research. I've noticed that I am lacking in that area and need to do more drawings to illustrate this. I have ben doing lots of experiments that are inspired by various artists. For example, Neri Oxman is an interior designer as well as a fashion designer who works a lot with 3D materials such as melting plastic and 3D printing. With the polymorph plastic that I have purchased I have tried to create similar organic shapes, that dry naturally in their own shape. I have let them droop over chairs, arms, and other various objects to create a natural shape. This has been quite successful, as I believe the samples translate the imagery associated to bacteria. They present a fluid shape, almost as if they are growing, much like a pandemic virus; coronavirus.
Narratives : 26-03-2020
My narrative is quite clear. I am heavily inspired by the shape and colour of bacteria and have utilised these elements throughout my samples. I’m visualising my samples on the body and to be photographed in a magazine format to translate the media element I am looking at within my project.
I want the end product to consume the body, more specifically the head and face. Much how people cover their faces from contracting diseases and viruses, as it is the gateway into the body. Originally I wanted to incorporate typography (common trigger words used in the media to scare society) into my samples, however decided that that was too literal, so now I am presenting my end product in the format of a magazine. Very exaggarated and over the top.
12th to the 17th-04-2020
Creating my final magazine covers using the images I have created:
Today I used my sister as a model to model my samples. I tried my best to make her look "sick" to further illustrate that the samples were "consuming" her body. Was still really intrigued to see what it would look like if the foam clay was displayed over the face. I took a few photos and liked the way they turned out. The red lettering on the magazine covers is intended to evoke danger and alertness. That this is important and vital. Contrasts with the greens and yellows of the samples.