The last post of 2nd year!!

And finally, here is the overview of how I went about creating my final piece for multiples and how I reached the conclusion I did.

The Development and Creation of 'Multiple Transformations'

For multiples, I experimented with various different processes which portrayed a 'transformation' as this was my theme in the response to the brief of multiples as this happens to a multitude of people in multiple different ways. I firstly began by experimenting with paper cutting and plastic as shown on the previous blog referring to multiples, then also experimented with silk paper and paper making.

After exploring all 4 different techniques, I then reflected on which suited the concept best and would be doable in the time I had left and from this, decided that by continuing with plastic would be the best as this fully portrays the concept as this goes through the biggest transformation in order to be recycled and reused. It also takes the longest to decompose therefore relating to change happening over time.

I then progressed onto looking at composition of the butterflies as I had researched into fingerprints as a form of identity and change can affect the way we identify with ourselves and others. Through my research into fingerprints, I found that the fingerprint patterns could be an interesting composition for the butterflies and would then link every piece of the installation to the concept.

Exploration into different fingerprint patterns continued and I found that the loop would portray my concept best as it firstly is the pattern I have therefore relating the installation to myself personally, and is also the most common fingerprint pattern which then relates it further to change affecting multiple people in different ways, but the hidden inclusion of fingerprints within this installation highlights that through change we will always have a constant, therefore bringing reasurrance.

At this point, I had ran out of butterflies and therefore had to make more. This was the only hurdle I encountered for this project and this was handled simply by going home and creating more in order to finish off the one and a half loops I had left which left me with the final piece successfully installed.

The Final 

The Concept

I have decided to focus on something we can all relate to such as ‘continuous changes’ as this 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.

This transformation is shown through the use of the recycled and reformed material of plastic butterflies; plastic goes through the largest transformation in order to be recycled, and is also one of the most common wastage within and butterflies 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. The fluctuation of size illustrates the flow of changes which occur over time as some have a greater impact than others which is portrayed through the subtle uses of clear and white plastic.

 Our fingerprints never change, therefore the use of fingerprint pattern within the composition of the installation and theme of transformation, highlights that through change, also comes an element of stability. 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 reassurance 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 the importance of a constant aspect of ourselves through the continuous changes we go through as an individual. Therefore, this can be understood 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.

P.S.

    ...A total of 94 butterflies were created for this installation.

Nearing the end...

I am a bit late in blogging pictures and processes of my final piece for both integrated and multiples projects, but better late than never!

Integrated Project

My previous post illustrated a maquette of my proposed final piece for integrated which focused on the idea of a void for the brief of Without Walls which asked for an artwork which would be exhibited outside but has to have the ability to be moved for touring. I felt that this concept and final artwork answered and reflected the brief well as a void can be found anywhere therefore making it interchangable and adaptable to its surroundings.

The main challenge that arose during this project occured during my 'first attempt' at creating the final piece. I created a former to base my perspex and mirrored acrylic shapes around and the disaster never occured until I attempted to remove the former from the final piece and as the piece was too large in scale, it couldn't support itself and therefore collapsed. This was obviously a knock to my project but as I had started the final piece with enough time in advance, this allowed me to create another one within enough time of the deadline.

The picture above is the first attempt at the final piece which would have looked really interesting without the former within it but as this is a learning curve, the outcome of this was that I learned to always create final peices with enough time to allow for any unforeseen events. So in response to this, I reused the shapes previously cut for this piece to create another one, without a former this time and began by creating a solid structure at the bottom to base it around then work upwards at a smaller scale. This worked well for me and still achieved the same look.

The Final

I then photoshopped the piece into a possible locaiton as the brief requests the piece to be viewed outside primarily. I didn't think the piece should be photoshopped into a busy environment as this goes against what the void represents. I decided to photoshop it into a space which depicts a void entirely, by having it placed next to water as if the void is spilling from the space we consume, to a completely new void in relation to water. The piece is supposed to blend into the spaces around us as well as reflect what is put before it to illustrate that it can exist anywhere.



The Concept

For the brief of ‘Without Walls’, I automatically began to think of an absence which was provoked by the word ‘Without’. From this, I have decided to investigate into the initial connotations of the word ‘without’ which consumes the brief, depicting a lacking or emptiness. My thoughts were then transferred to the thought of an infinite emptiness, displayed through the word ‘void’. This word is powerful as it suggestively incorporates itself into the title of the brief through word association. I want to therefore focus on the void within the brief, by interpreting this in the direction of emptiness and how the whole notion of perception can be challenged through this.

By focusing on a void through emptiness doesn’t necessarily need to be perceived in a negative way, as emptiness is the ground of everything, therefore everything is possible. The void will represent infinite possibilities and no limitations, just as the brief title suggests as I attempt to engage the viewer to appreciate the value of a void. A void can be formed in as many ways as it can be perceived, making it interchangeable to whomever the viewer happens to be. This then makes it relatable in many ways people would not initially assume or consider.

The shape depicts the spilling of space, as the void takes a stance within our environment in a temporary position as a void only exists until it is interrupted by human interactions. The shapes within the piece are that of rectangles as this shape is the most encountered shape in our everyday lives, which relates to the notion of a void as we encounter space no matter where we are. In relation to society, the sculpture strives to explore the significance of an empty space, in conjunction with the loss of meaning it has begun to have within our society as we drive to consume every space accessible.

The relevance of materials is key to this piece, as Perspex is used to depict transparency, illustrating the notion that a void is not tangible but we know it exists which is then continued through the inclusion of mirrored acrylic, which explores the notion of a void surrounding us. By imitating our reflection, it merges into our surroundings; it can exist anywhere. The reflection also displays how a void can be perceived in several different ways; therefore the void is anything you want it to be. Viewers are encouraged to reflect on what they see before them, and what they ‘cannot’ see as the sculpture configures from what is usually an invisible position in our lives to a formed sculpture.

Evidently, the sculpture depicts the notion of a void and reflects the value of emptiness, as it allows freedom in the highest of prospects. I am signifying that the absence within the brief can be perceived in such a way that we learn to value the creation that is attainable within a void, and whether the viewer perceives the void in a negative or positive light, the notion of the void existing over writes the emptiness it may initially suggest into something with endless possibilities. This public art piece can exist anywhere, as it surrounds us wherever we are therefore making the piece adaptable to any given situation, as it blends into our ever increasing society.