Hanging around #2

Here I have tried hanging them in a small room, playing with space, light and shadows: 

Hanging around....

I have finally got them up..... It's nice to finally see them in a space, as trying to visualise them otherwise was proving difficult! 

I now need to play with height, which swing to display, rotation, materials etc..... 

A different way to tell a story...

With the carving proving to be unsuccessful I have taken to trying printing.... 

I am really looking forward to seeing how these turn out.... Especially being able to to then experiment with glazes and colour. 

Etching, sketching, and breaking

So I thought I'd try carving words into my swings as a way to try and bring the narrative I wished to express into my work....

I wanted to scratch into the plaster so that I created a hole. A hole that would cast a shadow into the floor below but not seen from above.

The No's.... (Ones that haven't worked)

So I have decided to split my works into yes and No's in an attempt to be more decisive. This will also help me clearly recognise and determine my practise going forward. These are the No's... 

Number 1. (plaster)

Like the clean, simple abstract form. However is this recognisable as a swing, no? As the swing is going to be invisible apart from the seat I need the actual seat to be a obvious form. I will see how plaster works on a mould with wood effect. As maybe this will solve this problem. 

Number 2. (Plaster in wood mould)

The wood grains have come out really well in this however I have lost the fragility of the piece. 

Number 3. (Fimo)

This have come out just like the plaster with wood impression. The size is personal and delicate in that it's small, however I don't think you get the same aesthetic as you do with the Kroger pieces. 

Number 4. (Icing sugar)

Similar to the Fimo in that the detail has come out beautiful, but I don't want my piece to be small and childlike. 

Number 5. (Screen Print)

These have come out beautifully. Delicate, fragile and eerie. They stand alone in an unknown empty space. This is what I want from my installation. So whilst I won't take the prints further I now know what aesthetic I'm looking for.

Number 6. (Wood)

Based on an actual handmade swing, this was one of the first I did. However as soon as it came together I hated it. It's far too industrial.

Number 7. (Solid glass) 

I was really excite about these as thought the glass would give it the delicate, fragile feel I needed. However as a solid form it remains too strong. The detail of the wood is also missing. 

Number 8. 

Again one of the first ones. I used the table to try out the "hanging/ fee hanging swing." The swing gently sways with the movement of the room. Hypnotising you as you watch. It has no beginning or no end, it's just stuck in the void, solitary. 

The glass .... It smashed

Sooo my glass finally came out the kiln... I carefully, drilled four holes into the glass without breaking, cracking or so much as splintering the beautiful slump....

I also managed to carefully hang the piece firstly with string then thread so it seemed to be suspended in mid air.

It peacefully swayed, back and forth.... Hypnotising me with each silent movement. 

It was exactly how I wanted it.... In the sense of the feeling one got in its presence. 

Size matters....

As well as experimenting with materials I have also played with size, would this allow more options with the materials I could use ?? 

Even icing sugar, it maintains the childlike element of the work as it smells sweet but it's too fragile. 

Staying with the youthful aesthetic, I also played with Fimo... This beautiful captured the imprint from the wood and was strong enough to cast a hole through for hanging. 

Above I have played with an idea I had for display, bringing in pictures from my own child hood. However for me this was too cliche, too obvious. And while delicate it was delicate in all the wrong ways. Someone described it as "cute" which I really was not happy with!!! 

Upon asking my sister, I was pleased to hear she agreed: 

"It does preserve it. Of course. I just think it's a little bit literal. Like a message in a bottle or a time capsule. I wonder if there's something else that would preserve these memories. Surely all art (perhaps not installation & performance) preserves to a certain extent.  The jar turns the piece into an contained object - which I think is a shame. I'm not trying to be critical btw, and I think the idea is great... But I think you can take it further... "

And so I continue.... 

Moulds moulds and more moulds

In the process of trying to find the right medium to create the right aesthetic, one must try, try and try again 

So far I have created, glass, plaster, rubber, plaster of Paris in the hope to create a delicate looking "swing" 

The glass is beautiful but not as delicate as is have liked. The plaster of Paris, again whilst clean and simple it doesn't give an air of breakability, unsafe, limbo that I need. 

Rubber Moulds of all things old

I

Looking back over Term 1 and over the rainbow to Term 2

Reflective Report: Lisa Hannon: DVA264

Where do I start, as you may have noticed where I start never turns out to be anywhere close to where I finish? Neither does where I finish end up being anywhere near where I saw myself going! Whilst in practice this can be extremely frustrating it is also something I have learnt to embrace and enjoy.

Restricting myself in a proposal, means restricting myself in my practice: so while my proposal was entirely where I saw myself going at that time, the following week I felt entrapped by it and had to find a way of starting again, moving forward.

I have discovered that its not about knowing about where your going or about a “final piece,” neither do I need to worry or stress myself with this not knowing. This knowledge is allowing me to be more free.

Whilst I knew all along where my interests lay, and what sort of impression I wanted my work to leave on the viewer, I didn’t need to have restricted myself my stressing about how I was going to do this. My tutorials with Craig were invaluable as without him I’d probably still be worrying. Craig reassured me it was ok to be experimenting and “playing” as my research and interests would come through in my work by themselves, by forcing it would only confine my thoughts.

Ironically while I have not met the specifics of my original proposal, I do feel that somehow by looking at the relationships between my experiments and pieces that I have started to tell my story to the viewer with each little piece in relation to the other representing a different part.

Initially my research started and was very much influenced by Pippi Lottie Rist, an artist who creates the most beautiful environments and cultures which her viewers not only experience but very much become a part of. This was something I wanted to do, to not only create work that the viewer could enjoy, but something they could relate and feel they became a part of. 

In practice, planning, or thinking I knew what I wanted to achieve meant I had no idea at all, so by looking at different artist such as Helen Chadwick I was able to reopen my mind to different options and by doing so free my practice.

I love how my work has developed through my studio practice and pushing the boundaries found by mistakes, experimenting and new techniques. This is something that I am definitely going to push even further, I have some thoughts as to where Id like this to go, but I’m not going to led this blind me.

For example, with the work with my face casts, I’d like to start using precious metals, shrink them even further and find new ways to create work from the original face mould.

The work with the Dodecahedrons however, I see getting bigger: these pieces representing me getting bigger/ stronger. They represent me trying pulling together all the mayhem in my mind into a precise carefully constructed object to present to the viewer as I present myself to the world everyday.

Again the study of my mental state, perception and insight will be the foundation of my practice, linking further into phrenology, possibly Freud and almost certainly Krishna Murti.

“P: The moment you posit something outside of consciousness, you are positing a state which may or may not exist.”

KRISHNAMURTI

Will I ever speak your language: ART

Sat in a lecture where I am learning more about everything else but anything the poor tutor is talking about?

In Art is it quite common to come across people who talk you into confusion, is this a tactic to bewilder the viewer into believing their work is is of some intelligence, meaning or depth?
Words I have never heard are repeated to me,  as if the repetition of the words will somehow convince me I understand them.

It scares me as I do not think no matter no long I study, no matter how much I read, no matter how many dictionaries I revise, I do not think I will ever be able to accomplish a fluency in this language. Does this mean I will never be respected as an artist, does this mean I have no hope in one day teaching in further or higher education?

When did Art become a science? A mind boggling study of life/ sciences/ education/ views/ opinions/ history and symbolism: combined and pieced together with long words to explain the artists view of the world.  When did a piece of art stop becoming the main outcome of an artists practice?  When did it become about everything else but? I am not saying that Art isn't and shouldn't be a representation of an artists view on life, but what I am asking is when did this study become the work and not the Art itself?

Why do I not have all these big words to describe my process, my thoughts around my work,  will this come with time or will this be something, like I mentioned before that becomes my weakness and downfall? Or will I be able to savvy up my work with fancy words and essay titles after the practice itself is over, and if I do this will it be true?

Work Experience or Exhibition??

So next term I need to think about a placement or professional practice element to my study! 

Unlike most of my peers I am not inspired by becoming the next big artist. I don't see this as a bad thing as my main focus of my work is me... Not in a selfish way! 

For now my work I about getting myself to a place where I inspire and help future students.

A lot of my friends went to University straight from school and then straight into teaching, so at the tender age of 21 they were in a position to guide and mould children's lives! I never understood this as how can you help, guide or give emphasise with children and their parents if you have no life experience yourself!

I feel that as a person I am now better placed to do this as at 29... Although still young I have gained so much life experience through living rather than following the society norms! 

Now is about me getting my practice up to scratch! 

I have approached my current tutors as I would love to gain some insight into the world of teaching! The idea sounds amazing so now I need to see if te experience fits the image I have created in my mind. 

To be continuted....... 

State of Mind

Watching "im a celebrity" I started to question myself!? What am I hoping to find from watching such a programme? Entertainment? 

Entertainment watching other people suffer, go through pain and find sollace by the most ridiculous rewards!? Do we watch this programme to view the "celebrity" suffer, go without their luxuries and live like us "common" people? 

Is that what the metaphor is? Is it really a programme highlighting the issues of class?? The rich and poor?! 

I find it fascinating to watch how as humans we react to confinement, survival, facing fears! Some of us become strong and look after the weaker members, come hide in the shadows and kind of go into a state if denial, then there's the ones who turn on others... Whether to narrow the completion or to entertain themselves I'm not sure!!? 

I guess this is what everyone does everyday in life...  

Self Esteem: A Personal Quiz

I did a quick online Self Esteem Quiz to see how I measure on the Self Esteem Scale. Does doing this not imply it would be low, as someone with a high level of Self Esteem would probably recognise this in themselves and not feel the need to do a QUIZ? Which also implies that mine would be low as I feel the need to be validated by an online test? 

Your Self-esteem score is: 33

Compare your score to the following categories to see how you feel about yourself and how your self-esteem may be affecting your health from an anxiety perspective.

 ===================================================
0 - 20 Low self-esteem. We recommend that you seek professional coaching, counselling, or therapy in order to develop healthier self-esteem. Often, low self-esteem is a factor in the development of an anxiety disorder. Low self-esteem can also be a factor that prevents recovery. Seeking help early is important, as anxiety disorders become entrenched the longer they are unresolved. The more entrenched they become, the longer they take to resolve. However, anxiety conditions can be fully resolved at any stage. The only difference is that recovery will take longer the more entrenched the anxiety condition is. Seeking help early is the best approach. =================================================== 
21 - 40 Moderately low self-esteem. Self-esteem should be an area of personal development for you if you are experiencing an anxiety disorder, as low self-esteem is a contributor to the onset and perpetuation of an anxiety condition. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, personal coaching, or counselling are all ways to increase self-esteem. Self-help materials can also provide information, help, and support.
===================================================
41 - 60 Moderate self-esteem. While this is a moderate level, it may be contributing to the onset or the perpetuation of an anxiety condition. You may want to seek self-esteem or anxiety disorder self-help or counselling assistance in order to help lower your risk of further development. Since anxiety disorders have a number of degrees, it's important to prevent further escalation as anxiety disorders become more entrenched the longer they are left unresolved. ===================================================
 61 - 80 Moderately high self-esteem. There are a few characteristics that may increase your risk of developing an anxiety disorder. You may want to seek self-esteem self-help information in order to reduce your overall risk of developing an anxiety condition. ===================================================
81 - 100 High self-esteem. Healthy self-esteem helps to prevent the development of an anxiety disorder. 



I am interested to learn but not at all surprised that Self Esteem is an area that requires my attention. I really struggle with this area especially in my practice! Does this hold me back, YES I think it does as I can constantly seek re-assurance from peers. I am unable at times to trust my won judgement/ instinct when pursuing an idea!

Work Experience

So I have decided that I would like to try and get some experience teaching Foundation, why Foundation??? Well these are students who have chosen to take this subject so will be keen and hopefully eager to learn, experiment and further their art practice. I love the concept of being able to help guide and possibly inspire a new generation. To me Art isn’t just the ability to be able to paint a beautifully formed picture, sculpture or installation. Art is about expressing yourself, who you are, how you perceive things and being free to do so. Art in all forms has been such an important part of my life so far, and this is something I want to share. I have spoke to my tutors who have been extremely supportive in the possibility of providing some support on our own Foundation programme at the University. I cannot wait to do this as I know it will give me a valuable insight into the role and whether this could be a suitable route for me.

The Art Society: "Untitled"

One of the first things I noticed when I started at Coventry University was the non existent Society for anything related to the creative industries. Well not a generic one at least, everything was specific to one medium: photography for example. What I wanted to do was create a forum where students from ALL areas could meet, network and work together! And so came the Art Society "Untitled" So far it has been a huge success with the society being able to hold events which have previously been non existent, for example I have set up life drawing classes, workshops, Artists talks and group critics. For me this is such a motivation for what I'd like to do in the future, I love that the art society is bringing people together from all backgrounds, including students who aren't even studying "Art" or any related subject. I also feel inspired that the Art Society is able to support the Art and Design faculty in areas which perhaps only students can through a Union ran Society, for example: networking, liaising with different faculties to hold events, special workshops etc. I'm not how I will incorporate what I am doing into what I do in the future but I have definitely found a way that my practice can work efficiently and effectively along side my background in recruitment and sales.

Trials and Tribulations

So far this year I have thoroughly enjoyed my practice as it has been more hands on allowing me to be more creative and less restricted.

However by making my practice more hands on I leave myself subject to new challenges which I have not experienced before that I now need to overcome and perfect.

My first challenge has been that of the casts:

Latex: uneven layer and not allowing latex to dry between layers creates a very poor mould. However I have found that by using a cold room the latex drys as you apply meaning you have more control over application! 

Alginate: now I am trying to use the alginate to create a finished piece as opposed to using it for just a mould means I now have to perfect the mix! As I have found it extremely hard to create a smooth mix with no lumps. Lumps for me mean that when my cast drys the lumps start to show!! Again I have foun my mixing it little bit at a time I have more control over the lumps. Also creating a watery mix means I can slowly add more alginate an mix as I go along.

Dodecahedrons: blimey beautiful shape, impossible to get right! The smallest error in creating these shapes results in 12 pieces of pointless materials! Lazer cutting has helped significantly as it allows me to create a perfect shape. Perfect if I get the data import correct, which I have now found rhino to be helpful! 

On a personal level my biggest challenge, has been to stop thinking about a "final peice" as a student you're always pushed to a finished product, exam or project! Learning to loosen myself up and to not think in this way has been hard but my tutorials with Craig have been invaluable! 

Ged Quinn: Raw notes from exhibition

GED Quinn: 1. cakes painted as sculptures, change context of cake a a food but more of a sculptural form.  

Bunker archaeology, 17 years later, indifferent and far from home. 

2. Looks initially as a contemporary still life then you notice the hidden abstract pattern in left hand corner and random flower like object in the middle! Dark but beautiful looks like illustration has escaped from the book!

What's so funny about peace love and understanding. 

I like to know what I'm being shown!! Stunning, almost like a conventional painting if flowers then you are struck my photo like image in the middle, plays on title as you don't know why you are being shown! Modern vs abstract vs traditional painting methods! Faces ghostlike like a memory forgotten! Haunting the painting.

Felix culpa: again abstract vs traditional portrait! Old vs new, history vs present! 

To burn the fleece of a grazing cloud:  at first struck by size, then by the sheer talent almost looks like a constable painting! Then you are drawn to all the beautiful abstract elements and details. Like a Dali you don't know if your in the artists dreams or visions!? Symbols you can't quite explain but feel like you understand! Religious imagery striking and playful. 

What the lark said (death and the maiden) plays with perspective and layout: aspects of composition not possible (illusions)! Bird "hoho" humour: making a joke of death?! 

On making the heart of the forest: beautiful! God: female: creator: artist! 

The book of two ways : see photos 

Ouranophobia! 

Mind to matter

Doll long my interest if the mind and looking at myself I have decided to do a cast of my own face... Not only does this create an exact replicer of me, the process also encaptulates the sensations I feel when suffering with depression:

Trapped, suffocated, blind, voiceless, cold, I felt underwater but able to breathe: drowning but still alive, hidden from reality, strangely calm amongst the chaos, frustrated at not being able to communicate with outside world. 

Discovering my mind: In more ways than one

Looking at phenology, the study where people mapped the skull to try and find some way of discovering and understanding peoples personalities.

In doing so not only have I unveiled a new way to try and unveil secrets of the mind but also discovered a few of my own! 

I have realised that I am fascinated in the mind, how it works and peoples interpretations of this. I being so interested I bring an enthusiasm to my work which enables me to explore, play and experiment with my work!

This enables me to to discover not only my mind but new avenues in my practice. Like anything I guess, when you enjoy something it is no longer work but more of a game! 

I need to now try to focus this energy as mentioned in my tutorial with Vanda, rather than throwing bits of energy in lots of directions I need to now try to put this enthused energy into one area enabling not only me but my work to become focused.