05/11/2009

Peter Morgan was passing and stopped for a chat, which actually turned into a good tutorial. He has suggested that the photographs which I had taken of my work; studio space, installation and so forth, could actually be used as resource for paintings. I have to say that it was not my intention to go down this route, (I had planned to use the carnival mirror for this) however, Peter has given me some great advice as to how I could use the photographs, and it has tweaked my curiosity. Some of the artists he has suggested include:Calum Colvin, James Tyrell, Duane Michaels and Wolfgang Tilmans. Peter has asked if I would put some of my photos on disk, and give a talk about them to 2nd year students. I have agreed to this, although I am a little apprehensive about talking about the work to strangers, nevertheless, I expect it will be a good learning curve; good practice for public speaking.
I have scanned the Lev Manovich book "The language of new media," and whilst it is a useful reference, I am not convinced of the appropriateness of the content to my thesis.

The ladder which I had been using whilst hoisting up the table and chair in my studio space, has now become a part of the work. I have   staged a photograph with the ladder in it, again, trying to come up with ways of creating visual illusionism. I realize that with the software available, it would be very easy to do, however, there is something rather satisfying, in becoming physically immersive in the work, rather than just sitting at a computer. With another reference to the way artworks are displayed, I have hung a small canvas from the ladder; it hangs unassumingly in a little world of its own, (Like Duchamp's shovel) not quite sure of its place in the universe; I suspect that  if it had its own way, it would materialize itself bigger, and hang itself proudly on a white wall, in some minimalist white cube setting.

04/11/2009

Progress reviews today, so I spent the morning organizing my artist research, and putting it in my folder. Also, I got my photographs developed. I actually forgot to put out my sketchbook, diary, and ideas book. I mentioned this to Aine, but she said that it was not an assessment, and that they have a good sense of what my practice entails. Added another piece to the mirror instillation. I have a contact in the glass business, and I will be collecting some more mirror over the week end; when this is realized,  I believe I can take the installation to another level.

                              All ready for progress review!

02/11/2009

I spent the day in the library, completing the project proposal, and putting my practice diary into print. I am not certain if the project proposal is a fitting instrument of expression for an artist. Fair enough, in terms of the course requirements, yes maybe, but in some sense, I believe it stifles the creative processes, which should flow, rather than follow some pre determined specifics.

30/10/2009

For reasons previously mentioned in earlier posts, as part of my studio practice, I change the layout of the space every day, and photograph the work.In some respects, it is like a daily theatrical experience. (What kind of a spectacle can I put on today.) I do not put the photos on the blogspot, I believe the  repetition would become too banal, nevertheless, in this case I will make an exception; I believe the work merits it. In continuing with the narrative of visual/perceptual confusion, I have placed the table and chair on the wall. I have photographed the piece with a person supposedly 'sleeping'  under the table. Using the person as a prop in the photograph, heightens the tension in the piece; you sense something is not quite right.

                         

29/10/2009

Added more mirrors to the installation. Some in frames, some broken; one frame in fact, with no mirror at all. It is progressing far better than I had expected. The broken mirror in particular (within the frame) has added an extra dimension to the piece, insofar as it makes the viewer rateocinate what is actually happening in the piece; excellent ! (Which, in some sense, is interaction in itself)

28/10/2009

Have decided to be a little more creative, in terms of the daily  re-arranging of my studio space. Stuck a chair and table to the wall; on the table, I have glued some items. Again, I suppose I am carrying on experimenting with visual confusion. Went down town and got some mirrors, and tried to get a bulb. Apparently, the kind I need is a mercury gas type one, and two shops did not have them. I will try the place out the childers road tomorrow; failing that, it is going to be a two week wait until they come in. As regards my mirror, the company that sells them is out of stock, so they have put some on order, I should have it within the next 2/3 weeks. Added a couple of more mirrors to the installation; it is getting more visually interesting, in terms of the visual confusion that I am aiming to create.

Photo taken in mirror view.

23/10/2009

Another colleague came into my mirror installation, and had a feeling of 'visual confusion,' so I have more proof for my experiments. I will continue to gather more mirrors, and indeed, continue with my experiments. I had to get some timber cut to blank out the window and the roof window as well. Although the room is considerably darker, the lamp I brought in is just not strong enough to create the effect I want, so I am going to get some stronger bulbs, or maybe a spotlight. Other artists that I am researching include; Felix Gonzalez Torres, Martina Galvin, Anish Kapoor, Banks violette.