09/10/2009

Regarding the mirror  theme; I want to cut out a person  shape out of a mirror and get people to 'fit' themselves into the shape, from which I will derive my paintings. Mirrors are a strange phenomenon. For example, if everything comes out in reverse, then we never get a true reflection of what we are really like; it's quite bizarre. I want to get magic mirrors as well and do more paintings from them as well. People react so strange when a mirror is placed in front of them; is seems to cause a lot of unease for many people, while others are happy enough to look at themselves all day long! I am looking forward to working with them. I propose to obtain some hidden cameras, and record these social interactions, from which I also hope to gain much material for paintings.  By virtue of the fact of what they  are, mirrors are actually immersed within the realm of relational aesthetics, insofar as they are immersive, participatory (in some sense), and socially interactive; mirrors cannot realise their potential without humans ! I will research artist using mirrors; (Mark has mentioned Dan Graham, Gerhard Richter, Michael Angelo, and so forth. At present I am looking at how Leonardo Da Vinci used them, it is very interesting.

07/10/2009

Had a tutorial with David today, he seems to be happy enough with the progression of the thesis; a bit of tweaking here and there to give  it a bit more 'bite'. Also had a tutorial with Mark today, it went well. Mark has mentioned that the different facets to my work, in some respects, lack a sense of cohesion. After reflection, I have to agree. The different work practices need to be more related than what they are. I may have to drop some practices, so as to have a stronger focus in the work as a whole. Relational aesthetics and painting: a paradox! How can I bring painting into my practice and at the same time, consider my work to reside in the realms of relation aesthetics, post production, and alter modern??? Well, after much consideration I can go down one of two routes. I can split the work between painting and the other aspect, or I can work with the mirror theme, and use the work as a reference for painting, either way, it is a win win situation; I shall prevail !

06/10/2009

Spent morning researching artists for crit; Rirkrit Tiravanija, Liam Gillick, Phillip Parreno, . Writers Nicolas Bourriaud; Relational Aesthetice, and Alter Modern.
P.M we had critique, very interesting and informative, these crits are a great way for expanding the knowledge base for art practice.

05/10/2009 Contd.

Again, as a reference to different ways of displaying artworks, the wooden figure has been placed on a round window.

05/10/2009 Contd.

                                         Reflection.

Reality

05/10/2009 Contd.

05/10/2009

The Force was strong with this one today ! My creative juices were overflowing (TG). Got my shaped mirrors from the glass man today,(I am glad I did not hit off him, just in case he broke. LOL)  they have turned out well. I stuck them up in the seminar room. I am not 100% certain if the glue will stick it to the wall, so I have used some little pieces of the metal repair tape as an extra precaution. I have used the mirror in this painting, in terms of a relational aesthetic, that is, I have taken it out of its' original context for use as an actual artwork; whatever is in the reflection of the mirror, is a part of the artwork, so in some sense, it is also an interactive piece; you view the artwork, you become a part of the artwork, so no two viewings of the artwork are ever the same. (could we argue then, that it is the same for every artwork in terms of a unique perspective; different size and shape of shadows and so forth ?) (The mirror proves my argument) I took some photos in the reflection of the mirror (nothing unique there) and then from roughly the same position in reality. The mirrored photograph came out back to front, which leads me to ask the question; if indeed my eyes are made to deceive me, then how shall I ever know what is real? (Quote from Richard, whilst in second year painting. A reference to how our eyes perceive the outside world upside down, and our brain turns it the right? way up.) I am intrigued by mirrors, and as I said in earlier posts, I will be using them in a number of different ways in my studio practice.