Exploratory Project: Phase 1

 

 Reflections...

I started this experiment  with simple ideas that I could think of from Pen and Ink technique and then gradually worked my way to more complex structures that could be made of from what I had.. The simple experiments were done on small size papers and then "fragmented" and re-contextualised in a larger piece of paper and now exist in another space. This idea about existential issues and space in general is really appealing to me and I am now contemplating on how to move on to three dimensional spacing, by further fragmenting the piece and re-arranging.

Start of the work: Simple PEN AND INK experiments.

Here also, I wanted to enjoy an activity of removing out ideas from my mind and then make serious decisions about how I would work out with them further... Mark-making has always interested me especially that of the primitives and I feel quite close to the African culture and Australian Aboriginal Art as I feel that they hold on to some truth as a pure form. Also, I had documented on this aspect of mark-making previously and I was excited about the subconscious readings that could be make out from doodles, handwriting, etc. and the psychological dimension and impact of their meanings.

This is one of the spontaneous drawings that I like most particularly because it has the freshness that I was seeking at the start of the exploratory..

 

 

 

 

 

 

More elaborate experiments.

These compositions are more intense and I hence noticed a similarity with my painting activities; that is, I eventually build on to the complex..

Question to myself: Am I overworking??

There is also the notion of the narrative where one get sublimated by paying attention to the parts of the whole, works which are overladen with detail and act as a puzzle. (also a reflection on the notion of layering).

 

 

 

 

 

Fragmentation and re-arranging..

 

 

 

 

FURTHER PEN AND INK ON THE WORK...

 

 

After 36 hours of work...

 

 

 

 

  Reflections: I enjoyed this activity as I felt that though the composition was overwhelming, there was a sense of depth to it as if the viewer could travelled over from one corner of the composition to the other,reminiscent of the ideas of the miniature which engages in close scrutiny.. however, as I asked myself:" what else?", I pondered over applying Les Bicknell ideas for further experiments...

REFLECTIONS AFTER THE EXPLORATORY WORK:

The larger piece of paper as seen here was broken down and was rebuild in the 3 box files that now exist as sculptures. I really felt stressed at the time of the breaking down as I was feeling that my sense of composition was appealing and that breaking this up would mean destroying this visual aspect of things. In a way, after this action I felt a liberating feeling but also melancholy on the feeling of loss. However, as I moved on to work more on the box files I was able to overcome this feeling and move on to more composition-making.  

 

 

 

Exploratory Project- Project Plan

 

Exploratory Project.

Project Plan.

1. What do you want to explore? Be specific.

I would like to experiment with a wide range of media (as drawing, painting, printing, charcoal and pastels) and make extensive use of collage (most specifically paper collage) and found objects. I would really want to experiment with the idea that I had been thinking lately: RECONSTRUCTION. Hence, I would like to generate lots of visual ideas from one source and then break up the whole thing to “reconstruct” and give new meaning to the piece or construct work from multiple parts. Initially, I have enjoyed the work “Frame, Form and Fracture” and I feel lots of possibilities in the term “fracture”, “fragmentation”,etc.

Also, I would like to explore on the relationship of the 2D and the 3D during the whole process.

 

2. What is your personal challenge?

My personal challenge will be the breaking down the elements constructed, rearranging them into different possibilities and exploring on the ideas emerging which might not necessary be "aesthetically pleasant".

I will also have to keep in mind that the aim of this project is not to dwell on finished artworks but rather to only explore further possibilities.

 

3. What methods will you use? What rules will you set yourself?

1. I would be exploring on a variety of techniques and will not be limiting myself some methods/techniques.

2.  However, as collage will also be importantly be used as technique, I will be considering mixed media and found objects also. I will most importantly be considering the risk factor and accidental effects.

3.  I will have to start exploring on the relationship of the 2D and the 3D as from the start of the project so as to generate new ideas from the source and build up on that.

4.  I will make use of several iterative cycle plan for my making to be sure to explore further possibilities.

 5. I will also have to keep in mind that the aim of this project is not to dwell on finished artworks but rather to only explore further possibilities.

6.  I will be concentrating on an intuitive response rather than starting from a theme.

7.  Last but not least, I will have to consider weightage for posting purposes.

 

 

4. Plan an outline programme over 12 weeks; build in time for reflection and evaluation.

WEEK 1: Starting with the work: simple Pen and Ink experiments that are cut down into pieces and rearranged into another paper. Further Pen and Ink onto the Fragments.. 

WEEK 2: Further fragmentation, experimentation by cutting up pieces of the works done and re-assembling them again . Consider how to turn the artwork into 3D.

WEEK 3, WEEK 4, WEEK 5, WEEK 6, WEEK 7, WEEK 8: Block printing (lino cuts) experiments, Painting experiments, Charcoal drawing experiments, etc. with all with the same procedures as above. 

WEEK 10 and WEEK 11: Evaluation and reflections on further possibilities.

WEEK 12: Assembling all together.

 

5. What challenges do you anticipate?

 

I will most importantly be considering the risk factor and accidental effects. Thus, I will have take decisions as and when required and I will not be in total control of unforeseen circumstances. 

 

6. What will you do when you get stuck?

1. Ask for advice from MA group, tutors, family, friends and colleagues.

2. Step back for a day or two and REFLECT on work done, what needs to be reconsidered and/or improved….

3. Research on artists with same concepts.

4. Make use of Les Bricknell List of non art verbs..

 

 

 

Experiments with paints on A5 size papers-Exploratory Project.

Experiments on coloured papers.(22.03.14)

DAY 1.
This is really the day one of my Exploratory Project where I wanted to grasp ideas as they were coming along. I had made some important plans about what I wanted to try out for my exploratory and I had lots of ideas that I needed to put on paper. This is some of them...

 I wanted to work from intuitive paintings and remain non-representative

 

 

 I really like this small painting as I feel that this was what I wanted to do and I was enjoying accidental effects.

 

 

Other experiments..

 

 This painting is different from the others as I tried to shift from curvy lines to geometric squares. This is an interesting composition here that I would like to work more on as I feel that if I had switched to geometry I could have merged it with a more "curvy" style and reach out for midway between the rigid and the flowing lines. 

 

 This work is a consensus between what I feel to be playful mark-making(by felt pens) and I have merged it with bold paint strokes. At this point, I felt a possibility for exploration that I could work more on... 



This is another possibility from merging of linear drawings with paint and strokes. I like the result which are becoming closer to being suggestive..

 

In a sense, I can now understand the importance of colours and multiplicity that I strive for.. I want to explore on so many possibilities that I do not take time on simple things. I am having so many options that I feel overwhelmed and I move on to other ideas that I do not take time to assimilate and reflect on ideas...

Reflections:
At the end of the day, I made a review on what I had done and on the striking ideas that looked like they needed to be explored more.. The next day, I moved on to more elaborate works, on the same format...

DAY2. Further experiments with paint.(23.03.14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Reflections;

 

At the end of the day, I found out that I had created more overcrowded works which had a sense of being more complete also...I think I should reflect more on this idea on when the artwork is really called finished...

This is a reflection that I have added after "completing" my exploratory work:
All these experiments have mutated into fragments and merged to other experiments that I have gathered as an initial start for obtaining ideas. They no longer exist (apart from this blog page) as they had been cut into pieces and re-arranged into other compositions. In a sense, they have been decontextualized and they now live on in another context (this is another form of abstract,the element of time-the past and the present..)and this journey of breaking down and building up is becoming more and more like a letmotif... There is also intense exploration on the element of composition and space which I have done thorough research on for my essay on the contemporary context...
I think now the real question remains:when do I really call it a finished piece?? Is this the finished piece and am I fully satisfied with it?? What if I was to break it all off again and start all over again??..Interesting ideas for field work for OCA year two..