12/12/2008

Still from my videofile. 

12/12/2008

I started filming my video today,it has a duel purpose . I used three people putting together a jigsaw. The three actors wore masks, my reason for this was to , in a sense, emphasise societies lack of recognition of the countless amounts of people who go missing every year. It is like the people are faceless beings who do not exist in the real world. 'I miss my mother, I miss sister, I miss my brother ' was the soundtrack I wanted to use, it did not come out too well, so will have to redo a soundtrack. In the background I am thinking about playing an Roy Orbison song 'In dreams' for obvious reasons but apart from that I like the work of the artist/film producer David Lynch .He used the track' in dreams' to great effect in the film Blue velvet. This film is so surreal, and it is the kind of effect I have created.

The second purpose of the video (putting together the jigsaw) is merely a comment upon the totalitarian society with which we are part of(under the auspices of capitalism), where every good citizen has to play their part, in the world jigsaw of 6 billion pieces.

The end of the video includes shots of 'three shadow shapes' passing over the jigsaw on the floor, again, as an eerie reference to the lost or missing souls.

11/12/2008

Went to London on the college trip to the Tate gallery and the Tate modern.The Tate had an exhibition of works my Francis Bacon. (I didn't think the exhibition would go ahead because of the ban on Irish bacon in Britain ! ) It was absolutely brilliant ! to see the works in "real life" instead of books. Seeing the brush strokes he used, his use of space etc, it was fantastic! it re-ignites the passion for painting!!! Also there were the entrants to the turner prize, I was particularly interested in the work of Runa Islam, a video artist. She showed great skill and mastery over her work.

In the Tate modern there were many wonderful works by world renowned artists, Rothko, Warhol, Lichtenstein, Monet, Picasso, Matisse, the list is endless, suffice to say it was great to see them all!

I would have to say I was very impressed by Rothko's work, the display of the work under examination of u/v light was fascinating, it shows all the processes the artist was using in the work. Another brilliant contemporary artist that I could specifically relate to is the Brazilian Cildo Meireles , his Duchampian use of readymades was spectacular, also comparable to another of my favourite artists Robert Rauschenberg.

10/12/2008

I realise it is in a sense an depressing subject matter to deal with (missing people etc) nevertheless, this is where the processes of materials/experimentation/artist research has led me, and I do have a strong interest in the metaphorical relationship to the jigsaw. For example, a jigsaw is a puzzle, a mystery. The various clues eventually lead to (although not in all cases) a resolution of the puzzle. The absolute devastation felt by the loss of a loved one to the families of missing people, must be unfathomable. Trying to piece together their lives with so much uncertainty to the wherabouts of family members; are they dead etc,  the sense of not knowing, no 'closure', the uncertainty; the "missing piece".  

09/12/2008

Forgot it was Tuesday due to church holiday Monday, as a result, I was late for photography.
Cut my missing people into jigsaw shapes, and put them into a photo frame. Another missing person I superimposed on to a figure in a sort of Arcadian setting, then framed the part jigsaw itself. Went to the exhibition in bedford place tonight, there were some great pieces there.
There was some fishing line hanging from the ceiling near Maurice's desk, it was an ideal place for BB to make an appearance!

05/12/2008

Painted green acrylic on top of jigsaw, the jigsaw shape can still be seen underneath. Painted white gesso around the edge of the board. Brought in a pipe but did not stick it to the jigsaw yet.As mentioned earlier on blog, I am intriguied by the use of "simulacrum" especially in the work of Magritte, I hope to add to the confusion with my 'ceci n'est pas une simulacrum'
Went to shops to buy a jigsaw for my video, it is not too big and seems straight forward.
Got some research on missing people.
Bought a picture in second hand shop, painted over image of a lady. Just going to have a featureless face,it is like all recognition has been lost. Wrote on a couple of pieces of blank jigsaw: missing person, have you seen this person, the date last seen, etc.
Wrote up the feedback of the students union class reps meeting, and presented it to the class, just to keep everyone informed as to whats going on.

04/12/2008