Its up! (the exhibition at the artrium gallery is now in place)

A stressful day!!

On a lighter note here are some pictures of some work exhibited within the space. As with many things, things do change at he last minute and problems do occur. Our original wall plan when laid out in the Atrium Gallery space did not work as we had visualised, certain pieces  would be lost with in the building and its already existing artwork, too sacrifices had to be made due to space and content of pieces. I think the atrium Gallery space with St James Bexley wing is a brilliant opportunity to present in. A lot of consideration had to be taken into account when placing a piece of artwork on the gallery. There were certain boundaries and certain disallowed content. For me this did not hinder a problems to the content, the only problem that was highlighted is that dew to hanging of my piece it could be easily damaged or stolen. I was prepared for this, I wanted these pieces to be in complete vulnerability with the audience. I was really pleased that my work was exhibited at the hospital and I was really nourished by the difference of environment and audience in comparison to a white cube gallery space, to me if offered a brilliant opportunity for artwork to be in public and not only in a public space; but a hospital. For what purpose does the artwork construe by being in such an environment as a hospital. To offer support, escapism, to challenge them or even hope?

Modern art is made out of rubbish! Its interesting to point out how art can be used to communicate to the audience in a completely different context. Its purpose not to lie in the route of the artwork but the key factor of the message it is portraying to the audience. Such pieces of artwork like rainbow worrier that was created from 5,000 plastic bags including plastic fish in fishing nets to highlight how plastic is destroying our marine ecosystem. Their is a direct message here that too engages with the environment it is placed in. What would happen to this piece if it were to placed within four walls, in a gallery space? Would the true message be lost, would it still be present? Furthermore by presenting the difference in environment or gallery space it too has an impact on the audience who will see the work. Would an audience take a message such as what is being portrayed in this piece the same on beach as they would walking through a gallery

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/oceans/rainbow-worrier-20080926

Take a look!!!!

http://hautenature.blogspot.com/
http://hautenature.blogspot.com/
http://hautenature.blogspot.com/

Check out my blog list

As I have progressed thoughout this module through audiences, I have become slightly more technologically minded, furthermore I wanted to highlight my blog list at the bottom of my blog where you can find some really intresting blogs I have come across. I think a blog that is definatley worth a visit is; hautenature, ive highlighted one paticular post in reference to the artist Fran crowe. As I am currently taking an elective in recycling and sustainability I came across Fran Crowe through a BBC radion program. Her work is so inspirational and too how she uses her artwork to highlight harsh matters about what we are doing to our enviroment too her audience. She too uses humour to put cross many of these ideas within her artwork, I wont say too much as I think you should definatley take a look at her and her artwork


http://hautenature.blogspot.com/2008/05/plastic-beach-junk-art-fran-crowe.html

My choice of hanging (how somethings just happen)

Sitting in my studio space discussing my work with Rory, I brought up the question of how might I hang my work, I had always been wary of placing my work behind a frame. I even placed place my piece Blanche within a frame but for me it did not infer the right representation to mirror that of the material used and the subject matter. Looking at Blanche, which I had unconsciously hung on bulldog clip but entrapped a small piece of paper between that and the bulldog clip just to protect the paper. Rory straight away questioned why I had done such, was it deliberate. It wasn’t the insignificance of the paper between the bulldog clip now raised such a highlighting feature that I had not previously engaged with. But unconsciously I had consciously presented this piece in such a way it too created a cocoon of delicacy and protection of this fragile subject and material.

Discussion with Louisa (my work)

Having one of my final pieces ready, I discussed with Louisa how my work would be best presented and hung. In light of this I had chosen to exhibit my pieces at The Atrium Gallery within St James Hospital. This too would have an impact into how the piece would be presented, taking into consideration the audience that would be in witness to my work and how might this communicate to them. Knowing now of the gallery space and environment my work would be exhibited in, a crucial part to how my work would be presented would need to be explored within the choice and its meaning in light of the work its self .

• How might my work be framed, and what type of frame could be used;
• Does my work need to be framed, what alternatives could be used
• Do the pieces need to be attached to a more durable surface
  

Another point I wanted to explore was; by having my work within a hospital environment what influence does my work have and too how would the audience receive my work in comparison to that of a traditional gallery space?

The audiences awareness

Rethinking to my last post I raised awareness as to where I would feel that my work would be most successful, I didn't necessarily pick up on the difference in audiences. As my work too relates to significant women such as artists, models and literary characters, the consciousness to these characters may not be recognised to everyone. In conjunction it made me think how by placing a piece in an environment such as book shop, library or even specific departments within a university building; i.e an English or literature department where by there maybe a bigger audience who will be aware of such characters as Blanche Dubois and Esther Greenwood for example. I would like to investigate this further as to how different the work may be seen from an audience who is aware of the women in reference to how an audience who is unfamiliar with responds to.

Now where should my work go

Where should my work go? As I created quite a delicate piece I didn’t feel that a traditional white cube gallery space would reflect my work, nor aid to the delicacy and context of it. I too thought about how my piece might work if placed outside. I did think that I could place the piece over a rock or tree to evoke the idea of decay however there was something precious that I wanted to retain for my work. I felt that my work would be most successful in representation through an environment that was small and unique and personal. Perhaps a small boutique or cafe.

Fragility in form, nature and sexuality

As my theme thoughout my work was the word fragility, in response to our module too of practice and material, the concept of the material and its meaning played a crucial part in my work. After experimenting with alot of different materials, I came back to a technique I am very keen on; making handmade paper. Last year I made my own deckle and frame from two old frames and some trusty netting a staple gun, and it still going strong. I too and passionate about re using materials and not wasting; so as you can imagine i am a huge hauder (not popular mith my other half). So from collected junk mail, paper bags different textures, egg shells and dye I started to play around with constructing and deconstructing this material. From this I created my first piece, which I decided to title Blanche. By breaking away and re pasteing sections of paper I formed different formations, I used thread to represent stitching, wax and ink. To conclude it has taken along time for me to grab hold of a piece of art work and feel so passionate about it, after being lost for a long while.

My work and audiences (in the bathroom)

I thought Id highlight a little a few ideas I had in refection my work, although I hav now decided not to progress with these ideas I though some really interesting points could be raised in response to how my work could be displayed and what effect might this ave on the audience.

To catch you up on the progressio of fragility I have been looking at women in respomse to tis subject matter and intern women found in literacy; a keen interest of mine. One paticular character; Blanche Dubois, from 'A streetcar named Desire'. I decided to focus one paticular section of Blances character, whereby one of her constant actions is her time spent in the bathroom; washing herself, and prooning shall we say her image. I wanted to highlight Blanche's need to wash away her sins, to constantly be in tormet with her own skin and image, so frightend to let her front slip. In light of this I created a few ideas, however for now I will just explore one paticular idea I progressed into a piece. I became in possesion of a bath and a sink, although I did not want to use this in just their prime form I created a latex sink.

I discussed with Gary how I might display this piece; how placing it in different areas might suggest different ideas and provoke different emotions to the audience.

The first area I felt that would be appropriate would be hung in a white cube gallery, therefore the audience could walk around it and under it, an echoing metaphor as to a hovering factor that wont let go, such as the hovering bell jar, in The Bell Jar by Slyvia Plath.

Another enviroment that I felt was a very interesting contrast and played a very juxtaposing relationship was placing my latex sink within a real bathroom. Showing a harsh difference between the furm structure and material of the bathroom to the floppy consistancy and lack of structure in my latex sink. This perhaps proposing a more defined idea or questioning to the audience than if placed soley in a gallery space.

So whats happening with my work

As I have blogged quite abit about others artists and exhibitions I thought that I would start by presenting where abouts I am within my own art practice. I am going give a brief over view as to what I am currently doing and the context of how I got there. As in my previous module my work centered around the concern of Love and Beauty. I love working with emotios so I wanted to relate this in further. I love to work with words, therefore I created a word shower of specific words in that I wanted to work with and progress from: Love, beauty, Fragility and repulsive narure. It was from this that the word fragility and all its meanings and assocations that go with it stuck.

Asta Groting sculpture;1987-2008

I was so intrigued when i went to Grotings exibition at The Henry Moore institute, every piece had me hooked with intrigue as to its meaning and material.

'Groting emerged in the mid 1980s and garned immediate acclaim for her take on the human body and te human condition'.

One of the first pieces you stumble upon is 'Ja Uad Nein (yes and no); consisting of painted iron on a mechanical drive, Groting expressed that she wanted to create a work about manipulating and being maipulated. Moving like a slow carousel, without saying the experiance of yes and no, Groting expresses this in movement for the audience to see this action of response. I think its really interesting how Groting takes on te challenge in choosing a or feeling and seeing how she can portray and represent it. Every single pieces of Grotings work in this exhibition explores materials ruthlessly. Using a wide selection of consistances within texture, form and structure within creating the piece. Challenging the material and representing it in a specific cotext that aids to the work.

'I choose any material whic touches me, which I like and which I want to work with , or I might be curious to work with and which is able to express what I want to say. I often want to work with new materials; I try to remain playful'

(Asta Groting)

Not only has the use of varied materials occupied Grotings work, but a constant theme remains throughout her work; the human presence. The human body has provided Groting with huge inspiration, but not just in physical form but through mind and spirit. Evoking form and function of the human body. Reflecting its movement but too its thoughts and feelings. Her most current piece; 'the space between two people having sex' takes on an aspect that Groting has recently stated to engage with; aspects enduring the existence of:earth, food, fire and sex. This was too my favourite pieces, I think the most intriguing factor was the space that Groting had captured; the idea of the space between 'two people having sex' presents such intrigue. That point in which two people are so close, creating a relationship with movement and static, and the conversation between space and this moment of action. Groting presents then in a spread inside our structure, which thus takes on a new shape, form and movement to its initial point in time. Investigating the inner space and expression of physical intimacy.

Interim

Leeds College of art design presents past students new work; where are they now and presenting their progression through their new work. Including our very own Tom Cookson from Fine Art.
'All of the artists taking part completed their foundation course at Leeds College of Art & Design and have been selected following visits to a wide range of degree shows by staff teaching on the fine art area of the course. The exhibition celebrates relationships formed whilst studying on the foundation course and reconnects artists, now based in other cities, with each other, with Leeds and with the College. Interim is an annual exhibition open to all current second year BA Fine Art students at British art schools who have previously completed their foundation course at Leeds College of Art & Design.'It was really interesting to see the selection of year two artwork from students on too a Fine Art course. I was really intrigued by both Tom Cooksons and Adam Townsend’s & Arran Sands art. It was really nice to see Toms work set in this context along with other students from all very different institutes and was amazed at the complexity and too history of context behind his work. I too really enjoyed the collaboration of Townend and Sands work. There work reflected some interesting factors, and too how there structural piece communicates to the audience, as there piece was situated in the middle of the spiralling stars it both offered communication from two different visual points. I think also I was engaged as there is a direct link to the environment and space which are subject matters that I really like to engage with however I don’t always practice this within my own art practice.

Perhaps noting, perhaps something( Making the ivisible apparent)

This exhibition, presented at Leeds Met university Gallery presented different artists who approach space and how the audience relates to that space and juxtaposes an argument. Cornelia Parkers, Neither from Nor Towards, consists of the brocks of an eroding house, hanging on wires in suspended animation. Its original from lost, the bricks that once were the foundations of a home; now displayed in a new structure. A structure lost in time and space. For me I enjoyed parts of this work, I think the idea of the history and once was being display in such way the almost captures it in a freeze is quite poetic and lyrical to the audience. However what left me with doubts was the structure that held the piece together was so apparent in appearance of a framed metal structure holding all the wires, I felt this took part of the essence away of the subjects. There were artists such as Rachel Whitread, who is famously known for her negative space, but who work struck me most was that’s of Chris Wrights. Within a blackout space he had arranged spotlights in a round formation to all focus on one point. Entitled' This is the Place, the spotlights shine intensely on an empty space. There is nothing in this space, so why as Wright put it in the spot light, or was their something; a memory, an event, the prediction of something. Once again theis argument of space brings to light and what it is saying to the audience. Playing with the audiences mind as to what a space is for, how is occupied, and who by, why have they made the audience come into this space, or present such a space in this way?

Interesting websites from my elective

I chose to do my elective in recycking and sustainability, and through it have come across some truly eye opening features, so I throught this would be a good oppotunity to share websites with you for further interest. I hope to up date so people can return to find out more:
http://www.greenmuseum.org/c/aen/Issues/ukeles.php
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/oceans/rainbow-worrier-20080926
http://www.reusablebags.com/facts.php?id=2

For your canvas needs:
http://www.whaleys-bradford.ltd.uk/


Recycle, reuse, reinvent, re-think
http://www.freecycle.org/

12th contemporary Artists' book fair

The 12th International contemporary Artists book fair held at Leeds university. I have a keen interest in artists books and I myself have produced a few throughout my practice, therefore it was a must to go to the leeds artists book fair. With an array of different mediums, materials and concepts the main hall within Leeds Universty collated tables filled with artists and students own creations through the stucture of the artist book. It was really fascinating to see the different institutes and organisations that each had their own display, varying from students from local colleges; such as our very own LCA and Leeds university, established print and book makers and self employed individual artists. There were some very eyecatching and innovative that stood out for me, whereby they had gone beyond the traditional form and concept of the book. Exploring material and form turning somewhat of a traditional literary subject into a sculpture form in itself. Although there were a number of established printers and bookmakers I was drawn more to the independant and student artists new and pinoneering way of exploiting material and form. It was these too who were more keen to talk about there work, in which it showed a real passion for there joy of making It was a really motivating exhibition of a subject such as the book, put into its own context of importance and its novel way, but still keeping that certain attachment and belonging to a personal item such as a book/diary

In their chairs, paintings by Richard Baker

Richard Baker;In their chairs, exhibited at Leeds college of Art & Design,

"His work has evolved through an unhealthy obsession with eBay, specifically with the section devoted to modernist furniture. This unlikely source of Bakers inspiration row upon row of Earnes and Panton Chairs, often tired, neglected and badly photographed are his coveted objects. Unable to own them, he has managed to acquire them through other means- by a considered process of layering, scraping re-drawing and glazing he carefully renders these objects his own"

The exhibition of paintings occupied the walls along a narrow corridor, his exporation of obsession to specific subjects is echoed within the setting of the space and furthermore the size of his paintins expresses an almost secretive hobbie. Aswell the process of layering and re drawing reinforces the action of obsession and envolvement devoted to these objects.

Denise MacGregor curating her own show

While researching information for the curatorial group I came across this information from painter; Denise MacGregor, it gives a quite a nice journey of how she aproached her own independent exhibition and some of the key points that need to be considered when doing so. It highlights from ideas to where work can be shown, to a few hints to promoting, marketing and and organising. Rather than a formal structure as to organising an exhibition I thought this was quite a nice indication from a personal response, take a look;

http://painting.about.com/cs/careerdevelopment/a/exhibitionplan.htm