Well, the day had finally arrived...the submission for our integrated project. To be honest this has been the toughest project (conceptually) in which I have had to create an artwork to a highly finished and professional manner.
Throughout the duration of the integrated project module, the work produced has evidenced a culmination of development processes and application of skills in specialist art and design media, which has been in relation to my individual creative practice and pathway. Reflecting on the title of the module “integrated project” my immediate response was to relate any work (research or experimental) with that of the relevant class workshops undertaken, in this case the textiles workshop. Collaborating the work produced during the textiles workshop with the non-place brief, I feel to have been a key strength within the module. The incorporation of the techniques and processes learned throughout the textiles workshop has allowed me to explore a variety of different developmental processes and materials with which I had never worked with previously.
A key factor and strength throughout this process has been my ability to expand my knowledge in sculptural techniques and conceptual approaches. This has been achieved through my application of skills within textiles; taking what I skills and knowledge I gained throughout the workshops and applying them to my own practice.
Reflecting back on the portfolio of work produced throughout the duration of this module I feel that my development of ideas and material experimentation has been successful in response to the brief. In response to brief I feel that my approach in exploring the learning outcomes has been carried out to a high standard in producing a strong body of work. A key strength within this module has been my ability to transfer my ideas conceptually through the use of a variety of different methods and processes; sculpture and installation. The textiles workshop has not only provided me with the ability to take a different approach to my work but have also developed my conceptual and creative thinking.
Responding to the module aims, I felt that material experimentation was the most crucial and what I felt would be again, the most defining aspect of the project. However, as sculptural/ installation work has not been my main focus for the duration of the year, my lack of knowledge of specific materials to use to progress successfully throughout the development stage proved to be a minor set back. Despite this, I feel that body work produced has shown initiative in experimenting with new methods and has broadened my knowledge of different skills. Taking all of these aspects into account the skills learned and developed throughout this module have provided me with more ways in which I can convey each concept.
Whilst carrying out research for the brief, my main focus was to grasp a basic understanding with regards to the definition of non-place. Once I gained basic understating as to what was defined as a non-place I was then able to successfully progress onto a concept for the brief. Research explored had to relevant to theme but also to the concept of a person as a non-place. Artists included within my findings incorporate the work and theories of a range of artists all working within different specialisms, such as; Anish Kapoor, Anita Hutchison, Linda Green, Klaus Titze , Jason Wallengren and Antony Gormley.
As this module is titled “integrated project” I felt it beneficial to my progression to look into the work of artists from a wide range of backgrounds. Throughout the duration of my research I was able to expand my knowledge in terms of materials and processes I could interpret – Anita Hutchison and Linda Green (textiles artists) and Antony Gormley have proved to be the most inspiring artists for this brief. By gaining a great understanding of their processes, techniques and methods I feel I was able to successfully and coherently develop my own individual ideas for practical work.
Throughout the course of the Integrated Project, I have had to develop my knowledge and understanding within different aspects of contemporary art. Within this time I have taken into consideration synthesis and analysis and have applied this skill to the research for this brief. This approach has allowed me to take what I have learned through research, interpret in my own way and go on to apply to my own practice. This is clearly evident with the integration of skills learned during the textiles workshop.
Focusing more specifically on sculptural aspects of contemporary art and conveying my concept in this form, I was able to gain a greater understanding as to the space created by sculpture and how it can both contain and occupy space and the relationship that exists between the two. Throughout my research and experimental/development work I have tried to incorporate these elements into a successful aesthetic and conceptual art form
Research that has also been incorporated throughout the module is that of methods and processes, a key factor within the project. Research gathered of different process etc has been done so through first hand experience; such as learning from other students and lecturers who are well equipped with the knowledge and experience of using different materials.
I feel that the research carried out for the duration of this module has been successful in developing my knowledge and understating of the integrated practice module. It has encouraged me to achieve a deeper knowledge and critical awareness of contemporary art but has also informed the initial steps as to the direction of my individual pathway. The success of my research into another specialist area of art; textiles incorporated with sculpture/installation has had a direct link to the development of my own work through concept development and material exploration. By working out with materials and processes that I am familiar with, I feel I have expanded my knowledge and have given myself greater opportunities with regards to the direction of own specialism.
Throughout the duration of the module I have integrated sculptural and textile processes and methods in such a way which has created a successful aesthetic and conceptual artwork. Processes and media explored throughout the developmental stage of the project had to be relevant to the theme of brief but more specifically the concept of the project in its entirety. As the concept behind my artwork was about defining people as a non-place, all methods had to have a direct link in successfully conveying my ideas. I feel that materials used have achieved this successfully.
The exploration and development of the silk paper process was extremely effective in representing people as a non-place. This was achieved in communicating my ideas, as the material in itself i.e. the fragility and delicacy in its sculptural form had a direct link the concept. Other materials that were experimented with were that of skin safe silicon which allowed me to create a mould of sections of the body in order to create plaster casts ( integrated skills learned in previous workshops to enhance my development processes ) However, I found this unsuccessful in communicate my ideas due to the aesthetics of the piece. Keeping in mind the approach I was taking on this project and the direction with which I was heading, I began to develop the use of silk paper more thoroughly by producing sculptural pieces that were of sections of the body also, rather than in its entirety.
In the photograph documented opposite you are able to see that it is an aesthetically successful piece, however, I felt something to missing which led me on to further developmental work of the material. In order to communicate my ideas coherently I began to work in a more fully developed 3-dimentional form where by I created a full cast of the body rather than merely a section.
Creating an artwork in which I am highlighting the fragility and temporal nature of the human body as a means of passage for the soul, communicating all ideas had to be given great consideration. Moving on from experimenting with silk paper, silicon and plaster I also experimented with wire in order to create a 3-dimentional cast of myself. My reasoning for this particular experimental piece was to touch on defining myself as a non-place rather than a mere general statement. Throughout the developmental stage, I feel my work was gradually beginning to take this approach and thus forth, this project has become focused on me.
In relation to addressing any conceptual challenges, I feel this was overcome through extensive experimentation with different materials and processes. Working in a much more literal manner proved to be difficult in conveying the theme and deeper meaning of the project; however, this was easily overcome and achieved through extensive sketch book work, highlighting the key elements of the project by carrying out rigorous experimental and development work. Exploring different possibilities as how best to translate the concept and theme, although time consuming, was again achieved through experimental and development work. Through exploring different compositions, materials and media such as silk paper, wire, silicon, plaster I was able translate all ideas successfully, whether it be through the final piece or the development work that came before.
Looking back at the module in its entirety, I feel that have progressed successfully from the first module Creative Practice, in terms of my development of knowledge and understanding of how to apply conceptual thinking in a sculptural/installation format. This project has again allowed me to push my abilities as an artist and explore the use of different materials and processes never tried before. Referring back to my own pathway, I feel the work produced for this could possibly give me a much clearer insight into the direction I wish to take my practice.
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