It has been a while since I last blogged, and I realised that during the last project of Non Place I failed to mention the brief of Multiples which is due in the day before a new brief called 'Without Walls'.
I will focus on multiples and insert my PLP and where I am in terms of thoughts and direction. For the brief of Multiples we are required to produce a body of artwork in response to the brief illustrating our selected pathway as well as conceptual development.
Multiples PLP
| Statement of Intent: For the brief of multiples, I have decided to take a not so obvious route to focus on for the multiples theme, and thought by focusing on something we can all relate to such as ‘continuous changes’ clearly identifies and links with multiplicity as we change as we grow which can happen multiple times, to multiple people. I feel that by focusing on the direction of changes in the form of transformation is relevant due to the continuous changes that occur both physically and mentally as we develop and mature. Instead of interpreting this just by focusing on change to illustrate transformation, I also want to identify the elements of ourselves that lack transformation, those key elements that remain the same throughout our life, such as our fingerprints. This would then create a paradox within the brief as the possibility of focusing on fingerprints which is an unalterable element of us to unite in with something which represents transformation and change, such as a butterfly would then create an interesting contradiction. Our fingerprints never change, therefore the use of fingerprints within the theme of transformation highlights that through change, also comes an element of stability. This then creates a paradox within the theme which also creates another pathway of exploration. Through transformation and change, a person can often become confused and an element of disorder can overtake their life, and by highlighting something as a constant, brings reassure to both the change, and the constant. A fingerprint also acts as a means of authentication, as they are used to identify people therefore continue to support the fact that the paradox of including fingerprints with the theme of transformations only reiterates the fact that no matter how much we feel or others feel we have changed, this element of ourselves remains invariable. Fundamentally, I am highlighting through the paradox of using fingerprints to represent transformation I am emphasizing of the importance of a constant aspect of ourselves through the continuous changes we go through as an individual. This can be understood to be seen as a multiple through the numerous transformations that occur within our life to us personally, and through the manifold of people that can relate to their need for change, as well as those unnerved by it. |
| Methods, Materials and Processes: Material wise, I want to use something that can display the finer details which exist within a fingerprint, as well retain an element of simplicity, therefore prints or drawing could be used as well as creating a 3d form with finer details of a fingerprint by creating silk paper and manipulating it. Paper cutting would also achieve these effects when treated with extreme accuracy and precision. My working method for the brief of multiples will start by investigating into the symbolism of multiple transformations, which entities represent change and what this can potentially add to the overall concept in terms of its use within the project. From this, I will also uncover the history of fingerprints and the varying types of fingerprints that exist and possibly explore how our fingerprints are formed. I want to concentrate on the paradox within the project and by focusing on symbolism, metaphors and psychological links with objects to the connotations they portray will help with this. I also want to focus on the identity side of the theme as fingerprints were used in ancient china as signatures which could be a route for further research and development. |
| Proposed Research: As described before, I believe my research will form round the basis of multiple changes and transformations, then follow on with research into fingerprints and the symbolism of each fingerprint, their uses and advances in practice. Further research would need to be carried out in terms of representing or creating a piece which epitomises transformation and clearly identifies the multiple that exists within this theme. My current thoughts have made me think about butterflies, as they are the symbol of transformation in many religions due to its connection with the soul. We are all on a long journey of the transformation throughout our lifetime and on this journey we encounter endless turns, shifts, and conditions that cause us to morph into ever-finer beings. At our soul-journey’s end we are inevitably changed – not at all the same as when we started on the path. More exploration would also need to be carried out into the making and construction of the artwork so I have a more thorough analysis of what I intend to work with giving me the best possible knowledge of its functioning. Experimentation would also need to be carried out in relation of materials that characterize the initial concept well and those that are easy to manipulate. Scale, materials and composition would also be an issue depending on what sort of impact I want to create which would be considered by creating a range of suitable maquettes. I will begin by exploring artists who create multiples such as; David Batchelor, Andrea Mastrovito, Ai Weiwei, Xavier Veilhan, Xia Xiaowan |
| Expected Outcomes: I aim to produce a body of work with well selected and appropriate research material considering relevant artists and materials that will engage well with the final artwork. In addition to this, I intend to fabricate significant maquettes and explore different materials which could be used in the final piece to explore different techniques and resources. Overall, I want to explore the theme of multiple transformations and changes by exploring key aspects of ourselves which remains unaffected by change. I want to create a paradox through my artwork as explained previously through the use of an object which represents transformation combined with an aspect of ourselves which remains unalterable. The theme of multiples will be exposed through both the artwork and concept, as a transformation can be understood as a multiple through the continuous changes we go through as individuals and the multitude of people who experience change. The final artwork should be aesthetically pleasing as well as conceptually sound to ensure the brief has been worked to its fullest potential. Brief Issued- 25/01/12 Research Research into brief – 1/02/12 Initial ideas Artists Research – 8/02/12 Development Research and development of concepts- 13/02/12 Explore symbolism of transformation and fingerprint Investigate representation of concepts Final concept selected Develop methods and select media Consider construction Maquettes/Experimentation - 18/04/12 Final Begin Creation of artwork - 25/04/12 Finishing touches Artwork Completed – 16/5/12 |
| Criteria for Assessment: Coursework will be assessed against the stated Module Learning Outcomes. The following criteria will be considered in assessment: · Quality of individual ideas and concepts. · Skill in research & applied problem solving. · Consideration and awareness of contextual issues and subject knowledge. · Confidence and coherence in exploring and developing ideas & concepts visually. · Practical skills and appropriate use of media & tools. · Project management skills including: appropriate use of time, media & resources. · Quality of creative outcomes, including visual, written & oral presentation. · Critical evaluation and analysis of progress and outcomes. |
This therefore clarifies direction towards multiple transformations and changes, with the addition of a paradox, by focusing on fingerprints. So far, I have began looking into the symbolism of butterflies and the metaphorical value they hold due to the significance of metamorphosis within my focus of transformation. I then began to look into my second idea of multiple identities and thus began to look at fingerprints as this is an element of ourselves which never changes.
This then resulted in the merge of ideas displayed in the concept within the PLP, followed by a deeper exploration into materials for the butterflies to be created from. By thinking of materials which relate to my concept resulted in the thought of recycling and reusing materials, this would then further my concept as recycled materials go through a massive transformation from one thing, to another. I researched into the facts about recycling and came across a fact which said it takes 500 years for plastic to decompose. This gave me the motivation to explore plastic butterflies as this material undergoes the largest transformation in order to be recycled, which I started by creating maquettes of plastic butterflies from clear and white plastic from juice and milk bottles.
Previous to this experimentation, I also explored the avenue of paper cutting and created 3D butterflies firstly with card, then old coloured paper with the remainings of text upon it to explore this idea further.
So all in all, I have experimented with card and newsprint paper, as well as a range of plastics but my aim is to continue this further by experimenting with silk paper and then begin constructing my final from the basis of which material works best in terms of relation to concept and aesthetically. In addition to this, while undergoing research into fingerprints for the idea of Identity, I began to look at fingerprint patterns. From this, I have decided this will form the composition for the butterflies, to add a subtle hint of reassurance within an artwork based around change, as fingerprints are known for their identification merit which cannot be stripped.
More to be posted in relation to the multiples project soon!
No comments:
Post a Comment