Inspiration

A little bit of photo inspiration for colour and pattern.

Various Inspiration.

3D Design: Connection/Tubes photography.

We were sent to the photography department with our tubes to focus on capturing the idea of connection. Initially, we were put into pairs and had to direct each other and the shoot. We were looking at forming different unusual connections using the tubes, connecting different body parts/people. I was made to connect my ear and foot, and I challenged my pair to connect his arm and foot using his tube.

I think the texture and the shape of the tubes work well with how the shoots were directed. Having the person sat down makes your figure look more entangled and connected without even introducing the tubes. I like how in the second photo I shot (bottom right) the lighting means his hand and foot actually look naturally joined, it's very fluid.

In the next shot we worked together and used both of our pieces. The way we are stood (head on) looks quite strong and confronting, and the tubes kind of ease that and create a flowing connection.

After this the group combined and we created 2 group pieces. Experimenting with 3D so far has been fairly eye opening, I've rarely worked with this media before. I enjoyed looking at the different effect these objects could have and the connections they could make, I wish I had to chance to work more with different ideas and medias as I think I could have created more/bigger pieces (relating to the tube project).

3D Design: Making/Connecting Tubes.

The challenge was to make two tubes, with a hole in either side/can be connected in some way. After looking through some examples of artists work I decided I wanted to create something similar to Eva Hesse's work. Her sculptures (particularly the strand/rope like ones) have a really natural/organic feel to them, even somewhat resembling body parts. I loved these long thin layered/textured pieces and wanted to create something similar.

So I started by testing with materials, and then made my first piece. Using the canvas as a base I rolled it into a long tube shape, I then layered it up with all different sorts of material. Using rope/bin bags to shape the tube properly, and wire/masking/gaffa tape for texture. I found that using these layers and bounding it tightly also made the tube more flexible. 

We then went to photography and worked in pairs/a big group, using our tubes to connect us together. I do not have the photos at this minute and so will make a separate post for those.

Our group was then set a challenge of connecting all our tubes together to make one big structure. We decided on having two towers on either end, joined by string/attached to the ceiling. All tubes in the middle were hanging from ceiling/hung on sticks. It was pretty difficult to get stable, but once we did it looked great!

As it was a lovely day, we went outside to capture our tubes with everyday objects. I tied my tubes to a tree, put them inside a plant with similar looking leaves, weaved them through a fence, leant them against a handle bar and (my favourite) looped the tubes round a bike chain. I tried to capture my tubes looking as natural as possible. Some didn't quite work, but I enjoyed experimenting with different ideas and objects. 

Fine Art: 'Transform' Brief: Day one

Over the course of 2 days we were to complete a project incorporating all the techniques we've learnt so far in Fine Art. For my object I chose a milk bottle. I thought the shape, texture and material had a lot of potential for structuring and shaping in different ways.

I started off doing some quick sketches/compositions in my sketchbook of the bottle in full.

I then cut the handle off the milk bottle, because I thought separately it resembled an iron. I also liked how the main bottle section had changed, the space was much larger and would be able to hold larger things, cutting out the handle had created two completely different objects. 

Again I did some sketches/compositions reflecting on the changes and shapes of the new objects. 

I then decided to change the iron shaped object again. I slit down both sides of the handle, and turned the plastic in on itself, creating a curved knot looking object. I really liked this transformation, as it was now a completely new object! You could not see/tell it was part of a milk bottle anymore. 

For my last change to the object, I wanted to do something simpler. I cut off the lid (and small area surrounding it), and then made small cuts every few centimetres round the edge.

 I did one more sketch, then finished for the next day. I am very pleased with the transformations I was able to achieve/explore with this object. I also think the object has potential for further changes.  

Fine Art: Photography: Artist Research.

We were shown a presentation of 50 photographers of note, and instructed to blog about a piece of work by three different artists.

The first photographer I chose to write about is Martin Parr, I really enjoyed looking through his work. Much of it has a running theme, exploring british/western culture and consumerism. For me the look of his work matches this -extremely high saturated pictures, lucid block colour (I love the deliberate-tacky feel that really works!). This repetition and simple factor to it. Matching people with food and money, and the zoom allowing us to look close at particular quirks or branding. This picture I chose to post here was from one of his books 'Common Sense'.

I think this image sums up my analysis of his work, the sea of people all looking the same and with the same towels with a huge price tag stuck over the top. The badly painted toenails, tanned feet and glittery sandals (I love those!). Together it really does have an impact in bringing across this theme of consumerism.

The next photographer I decided to post was Lewis Hine. I think the fact his photo's were quite instrumental in bringing about child labour reform in the US is so important, and brings so much more depth, meaning and emotion to the photos whilst viewing them. His work is very plain, you are drawn only to the reality of the images, the detail, the time and people. The picture I chose to post is of an 11 year old girl who works in a mill. 

I think this photo is so beautiful. You can see an endless stream of spinners (work), this is complemented by the lack of focus. She is surrounded by grey, plain, dirty conditions and she stands in focus looking out of the window and into the light in wonder. His work is very impacting and very real, and I really enjoyed looking through the photographs. 

The last photographer is Mary Ellen Mark, I love her street photography of New York. The angles she uses are particularly interesting, tilting a shot and a blurred image as if the photographer themselves is moving. It really creates this sense of movement and busy cities. Again there is a real focus on people and character, and with no back story the images leave the viewer to interpret their own characters and scenario. The photo I picked was...

As I said before, it's the angles that interest me. It's almost as if she was walking down a busy street with camera in hand, and accidentally snapped a picture! I love how she cleverly manipulates your view of the surroundings. The photos are just a snap of a second in time. I found her work really thought provoking.

Fine Art: Photography

We started by working with old t-shirts. I had to 'wear' the t-shirt in a way that was unusual/manipulated the shirt. I chose to put my head half way through the sleeve, I was given further direction to push against the insides of the shirt with my hands.

I do like the pressure this created in the t-shirt, as you can see it but can't quite tell where it's coming from. We were then paired up and challenged to both get inside the t-shirt, again in an unusual/manipulative way but also it was about joining, transforming something so it connects two things.

Then were were given materials and props. We had to direct the shoot, which included dressing the other person. Faces and skin, or shoes etc. were not allowed to be showing. It was almost like creating a character using the props and materials in an unexpected way. 

I decided to try and recreate a shepherd style character, using an off white bed sheet (for age/worn effect) and a greyish green material as a massive cloak/to shield the face. I chose to use only use a stick as a prop, I think the simplicity worked well. I had him sit down and hunch towards the stick, again in a kind of worn/aged/tired fashion. 

I think the images came out fairly well. If I could change anything I would fix the chair legs which are poking out on the right, and perhaps try one where he is leaning forward even more. I am pleased with the outcome though. I also realised how important body language was to evoking a character or emotion. Especially as the face was covered, slight movements and positioning was very important! 

Here is the one of me dressed up as a ninja (I think that is what I was...)