Alot of Thoughts

Was that too long a splurge???

Please, let me know

Public Private 2.0

Public-Private

Initial Thoughts

First Week

It is a completely wide open subject – with very little boundaries. It should be fun to explore ALL the possibilities within the allocated time of 5 weeks. I’m currently thinking of video work, which seems to be steam rolling its way through my mind.

The possibilities are endless.

Listed ideas

Public:

Bench, terminal, bus, bus shelter, path, pavement, road, shops, cinema, museum…space.

Private:

Toilet, bathroom, shower, bath, bed, bedroom…space.

What are the measures of privacy and public space?

Visuals in my Head

Recording: people’s reaction to a camera being placed in a public space. Guaging the level of interference it would create.

Recording: a phone conversation or conversations. Playing it back in a looped effect, exploiting private thoughts and expressions.

Recording: a fake biohazard situation with the image of men/woman in a head to toe white saftey suit. Advertising rather than art, I believe I would investigate text and make it humourous.

Recording: interaction between different sets of people and a park bench. Analysing their reactions to each other, looking at comfort/discomfort.

Trying to concentrate on a non artistic audience is difficult, I suppose that is the one boundary I can NOT cross. Or can I?

Space Between Strangers

Bus Journey

I have been paying close attention to the space that people occupy amongst each other and their surroundings. From what i have witnessed and documented, a lot of people prefer not to “cross paths” unless it is forced. Even then there is some minor discomfort. In particular on buses.

There seems to be an unwillingness in people to being supposedly subjected to sitting next to a stranger on the bus. Causing noticeable tension. When a bus is empty and only a few occupy the space, tension subsides. Perhaps we just like our own space.

On a short bus journey, which I have documented, I was the first to get on the bus. I sat further back to observe proceedings. Next to get on was a girl, she sat just ahead of me by 2 or 3 seats. Then another girl, who sat opposite the first, but 1 seat back. This was a personal choice of both girls to distance themselves from not only each other but from me as well. But, it was me who made it difficult for the first girl who then in turn made it difficult for the next.

By spacing themselves out, it made things more difficult for the next potential passenger to choose a seat. Although, it also directly narrows down the choice which technically makes the choice simpler. This is something i have always noticed, but I never believed I would ever recieve a brief or project that would enable me to realistically research and develop my ideas beyond the initial understanding. Fortunately I was wrong.

Documenting my own Movement

Whilst recording my own movement, I noticed that there was a substantial space between others and myself. Almost as if they didn’t want to invade my personal space, or they didn’t want me to invade theirs. I was in a very crowded area of the city, so I found it strange for such a bustling surrounding to be alomost empty of people. Perhaps I was recording in the wrong way.

I contiinued to record my own path, I quickly realised how important the composition of this would have to be, if I wanted to capture my ideas and thoughts combined.

It was much more successful giving a slightly longer scope of proceedings in the further development of my ideas. The videos explain exactly what I mean.

Gradually more involvement of the publics shadows were being cast upon mine and my own movement. This was beginning to show that although there wasn’t any actual, physical contact there was still some contact being made. Whether or not it was casting shadows, to matter or shadow to shadow etc, etc… there was still definite contact being made.

This was something that struck me as being quite an important discovery within the ideas I had about public and private spaces.

Documenting the Movement of the Public

I have noticed something pecuilar from both still and moving imagery whilst researching movement amongst people. Even though a person may not interact with a stranger physically, there is definitely contact from another potential part of them, their shadow.

Shadow movements can be quite unpredictable, they are created or manipulated by either a natural or unnatural light source. I spent some time filming and recording the movement of people and their shadows, which seemed to be more involved with each other. Using negative film, I was able to pick up more undeniable and identifiable detail of shadows being more of an entity than anything else. Acting upon there own “desires”.

I believe that the idea of your shadow having a will of its own is an intriguing thought. I believe I can carry this on with further research so I can fully develop the idea.

Further Investigation

After looking back at my initial research I noticed that when more bodies came closer together that there was some confusion in identifying who’s shadow was who’s. There seemed to be an almost dancing motion between the shadows. As if they were trying to communicate with each other, unlike their owners.

Drawing, Painting and Video

I have begun drawing and painting from my video research, by pausing at random intervals to capture a clip from the moving forms. From this, I have been experimenting with the difference in both line and tone in identifying structure.

I am currently working on square panels of mdf. I thought that square compositions would be appropriate to replicate the size of the video clips. Therefore, I have been scaling the images up. I have been using a mixture of sketching to get the initial composition correct, and light brushes of ink and acrylic paint to give a base colour to build upon.

Continuation of Relative Research

Second Week

I have been looking at sculptural forms that relate with the use of surroundings, but more importantly, shadows. In particular the work of Edward Tufte has been quite influential for me, looking at the use of space with the focal point or relevance of shadow in his work. This has made me realise how something that appears to be quite manufactured can in fact come across as organic or natural. At least in a very vague sense.

At this stage of the project, I feel confident that I have exposed exactly what I want to look at, and why. It seems to be more a question or task to in fact get the work done in a professional manner, and make the project as successful as possible.

Intermedia or Tapestry?

I was involved in a talk with the head of Intermedia Studies, Dean Hughes from ECA recently. His talk really HIGHLIGHTED for me how much I would love to go back to Edinburgh to take on this varied art form. It really focuses on what kind of art I like – it can be anything!

I was hoping to talk to Dean longer than I did, however he had a strict amount of time available to him. Fortunately, he was kind and trusting enough to leave his emal address: d.hughes@eca.ac.uk.

Must remember to email him.

Must remember to do that…now!

Filming Returns

I retraced my footsteps by recording more footage. I recorded from a different position, in fact from the opposite side.

 

MORE LATER

public-private

I have been thinking alot about vacant space and the everyday exposure we all experience.

So far my ideas have been stemming from public spaces to an array of humourous advertisements, I have aslo been researching some of Banksy’s work that reflects upon political movements, thoughts and suggestion.  However, due to most of his work being heavily art orientated (which unfortunately is NOT the main focus of this new project) it seems i will have to look elsewhere for ideas and influences.

 But, does his political aim over shadow the art???

I’m beginning to think that I should focus on personal space or beliefs and exposure of this into the world.

Such ideas of private conversations being broadcast etc… I quite like that idea actually.

MORE LATER…

Trouble!

Currently having trouble with my pages and posts.  I can’t put the page together correctly-making the page very unclear.  Help!

New Project

Sculpture Project 2

Brief:

Initiate and develop ideas for sculptural public artwork(s) for a site of your own choosing.

Your ideas can be expressed using any three-dimensional media.

Artworks can take any form that does not impinge on the rights or safety of the individual. You may wish to explore:

Additive/ Reductive/ Constructed/ Mixed Media/ Multi Media

or any appropriate means of expression developed from your research.

Initial Thoughts

To begin with I wanted to retrace my steps, and record all of the houses I have lived in. I also had another idea of looking back to the first house I lived in. We had such a beautiful garden and I have lots of fond memories of that place. Looking back at it now, after all this time it is a dump, completely over gown, which is quite upsetting for me. I then began to think about the possibility of asking the owner if I could restore it to its former glory, without coming across as an arse.

However, upon the news of the written side of this section of the course and time constraints (it would take a long time to revive its past colours), this will not be possible.

I’m now trying to think in a less personal manner and define a site that will be interesting and fun to work with, with the 5/6 weeks.

New Exhibition

Festive Light Motion

The New Exhibition opens on the 17th of December. The Underground Cafe is the designated location. It has taken longer to prepare this exhibition due to college and work overlapping.

I hope you go along and check it out!

Daine

Oh Crit!

Hey, What did you guys think, how did it go for you personally?

I thought it was actually successful and has certainly given me a kick up the behind… lets hope it lasts!

Report/Analysis on Live Commissions

First Draft

Report / Analysis on Live Commission

I have identified three live commissions that I feel would be an appropriate practice to follow.  The following commissions I have considered are

• Big Things on The Beach – Portobello, Scotland

• DAD Photography Commissions – Dover, England

• Calldecott Park – Rugby, England

I beleive that Big Things on The Beach would be the most suitable programme to work under, due its location being more locally based than my other considerations.

First of all I will indicate how I came about the information on the set commission I have mentioned.  I gained access to “Big Things…” through a short consultation with a tutor.  I was then able to get details of the process to follow to move on further in the application process from my course web blog site (www.hndpublicart.wordpress.com).

I chose this particular programme for the noticable enthusiasm shown in the brief and the note of the wofk being something that was accessible to the entire Portobello community.  Another big seller would be the overall openess that The Trust conveyed to experimental work i.e. media, materials, ideas etc.

The Big Things on The Beach project is located within the Midlothians, Portobello.  The Trust requires a Public Art piece that first of all can be apprecited by the local community and on a much larger scale, national and international interests.  I have aquired the necessary details and plans I must send to be one of the considered.  Only three will be shortlisted for interview with a budget of two hundred and fifty pounds (£250.00) to develop their ideas further. 

For a successful application I would first of all need to send a letter confirming my interest in the project.  I would also need to include how I would approach the development, outlining some of my initial ideas.  Including a provisional budget summary.  The Trust would also need an up to date Curriculum Vitae with two referees for possible reference checks.  I would also be required to produce a detailed artists statement and finally six images of some of my previous work.  All of the above information is to be sent in a hard copy format.

Taking all of this on board, I have also been given a brief indication of a basic time table and contact information.  From all of the source information I would then proceed with what had been asked of  me.  Covering exactly what The Trust Board state is necessary to proceed to the next stage of the application process.

If I was given the opportunity to follow up my interest I would visist the site, possibly find out more about its history and cultural activities.  Collect various and vital pieces of information using photography, site drawings etc.  I would also keep in constant contact with The Trust, keeping them aware and up to date with any necessary information and vice versa i.e. if they needed to update me.  Above all this is a community project so Iwould try involving them by leaving information in the local community hall(s) and newspaper(s) etc.  Finally, I would make something worth while. 

Daine Cornwall

New Brief: The Imaginary City

Will this be a painful experience?

First of all why the imaginary city, it should be called imaginary brief… nah kidding, its fine… I think.

Off hand I would say that the site that has attracted most of my attention has been and I quote, “Dock at the rear of the Scottish Office”. I think primarily because of its overall vast amounts of space available. This project is set to be quite interesting, it does give you complete freedom and a great feel of what the art world within commission based public art is all about.

I have begun researching the area and its surroundings. It is a place of such rich historic value in the terms of Leith’s very existence, perhaps even Edinburgh’s.

I will add more later…

Go Figure, what?

I would like to note that the recent project in question, Go Figure, does not feature any of the reproductive organs. That is all!

Thanks,

Daine