I have progressed rapidly since I last reflected on the work I have been producing for the Interpretation of Literature unit. After my first consultation, I started to gather information about the learning aims and objectives of the studio as well as look at examples of student work to inspire my own project work.
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| ' Tree Meadow in Kosciusko Park' - a photograph from my park series |
I found this statement written on ASP Katowice website about the Interpretation of Literature Studio.
'The premise of the studio is to develop the sensitivity needed to recognise one's own experience in the context of the dynamics of changes in various texts of culture. Verbalising ideas, analysing and articulating problems in the process of conceptualisation of ideas - form of expression, and consequently conscious choice of adequate language - open to the spatial and social context and the full spectrum of interdisciplinary of the medium (imaging technologies and tools) - creates an open work environment for shaping new forms of communication by means visual language. Classes are individual and collective discussions / corrections and, depending on students' interests and competences, are calculated to shape the personality of the artist and develop the ability to make the necessary choices in the creation process'.
Many students have used photography, editing, Photoshop manipulation, close up photo-focused with blurred background or an outdoors environment in the creation of work.
https://www.asp.katowice.pl/en/academy/structure/studios/interpretation-of-literature-studio.html
http://aspkat.edu.pl/zobacz/pracownia-grafiki-interpretacje-literatury
I found this statement enticing to read. I initially thought that the class was going to be narrative illustration based but it is actually more focused on abstract concepts loosely linked to literature. This way of working has helped me to consider how to visualise text in a different light, working in a less obvious way and using mediums I haven't experimented with much over my first year and a half of studying Illustration at UCA Farnham.
Tutorials
I have found the tutorials I have been having with one of the Interpretation of Literature tutors very useful and informative as she has provided me with plenty of idea generation possibilities as well as artists I can research to help inspire my own creation of work.
I was told to look at deeper meanings of my chosen word - light sensitivity. Looking into other areas that could be related to the word such as subjective reality. This defines as the part of reality that exists as experiences. I think this relates to the photographic work I have been producing because my photographs show my walking experiences of exploring Katowice as well as viewpoints I have captured from my dormitory window.
Subjective Reality
I found a blog about the book, 'The Social Construction of Reality' by Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann. The thesis states that everyday reality is socially constructed by human interaction.
"People are not born members of society, they are made members of society" (Berger and Luckmann 1966:149)
This quote suggests that are in order to become a member of society you need to have done or experienced something in a social structure thus creating a reality.
https://blogsociology.wordpress.com/tag/subjective-reality/
Camera Obscura
The camera obscura refers to room (camera) and dark (obscura), a dark room.
The earliest versions consisted of darkened rooms with light admitted through a single tiny hole. Resulting in an inverted image of the outside scene that was cast on the opposite wall, which was usually whitened. For centuries, the technique was used for viewing eclipses of the sun without endangering the eyes.
In the 16th century, it was an aid to drawing - the subject was posed outside of the image reflected on a piece of drawing paper for the artist to trace. Portable versions were built, followed by smaller and even pocket models, the interior of the box was painted black and the image reflected by an angled mirror so that it could be viewed the right side up.
http://brightbytes.com/cosite/what.html
If I get a chance, I would like to try creating my own camera obscura.
Light and Space Movement
The tutor suggested I look into this art movement because it relates to the style of work I am producing. I should also consider human perception when looking at examples of the work produced within this art movement.
'The West Coast Minimalist Art of the 1960s and 1970s was concerned with how geometric shapes and use of light could affect the environment and perception of the viewer. It has been argued that light and space art emerged in no small part because of Los Angeles' radiant light and tempered atmosphere'.
https://www.artsy.net/gene/light-and-space-movement
I created a mind map of related themes, these include:
- Visual Perception
- 20th Century Art - Light Art - Land Art
- Minimalism
- Shiny / Glossy
- Light as a subject
- Immersive
- Colour Gradient
- Transparent / Translucent Medium
I did some further research into some artists associated with the Light and Space Movement. I showed and discussed these images with my tutor during the tutorial.
Robert Irwin
Irwin is regarded as an innovator in the Light and Space movement. He began his career as a painter and turned to installation as a means of disposing with medium and object altogether. Making works of art that don't announce themselves as such, he is best known for the Getty Gardens in Los Angeles, an ever-changing, site-specific installation that explores the interplay between light, flora and water.
His installations sometimes result from elimination of forms from a space, such as his removal of window panes at San Diego's Museum of Contemporary Art to alter the experience of being in a gallery. The work is pictured below:-
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| 1 degree, 2 degree, 3 degree, 4 degree, 1997 Apertures cut into existing windows, 115 x 320 x 221 inches, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 2 locations |
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| Light and Space, 2007, 115 fluorescent lights, 271 1/4 x 620 inches Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 2 locations |
'illustrates the movement's illusionism through manipulated light (which changes over time) and space or depth, in this case conveyed by real salt air breezes wafting through windows'.
Three rectangles are cut into the gallery's tinted windows in order to create actual openings. They challenge the human eye because they frame details of the 'postcard-perfect scene'.
James Turrell
Turrell is another photographer who is associated with the light and space movement. His style involves the use of innovated photographic techniques that 'allow light to have a physical presence'. He uses holography (photographic recording of a light field) to make the light itself the subject matter rather than the chosen medium. He is known for his coloured light installations that appear to 'possess mass and take up space as planes, cubes, pyramids and tunnels'.
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| 6 photograph series - 67 68 69 A two-venue exhibition at 32 East 57th Stand 534 West 25th St. |
The project involved experimenting with high-intensity projectors, using them to modulate shape and the eyes' perception of it. The result was these corner projections, using light as a medium to create the appearance of free-floating, three-dimensional objects that were suspended in the corners of a room at the gallery.
My Light Sensitivity Photographic Experiments
I went on to take a series of photographs on my digital camera, changing the ISO, aperture and shutter speed settings to create photographs that explore my given word.
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| The Dormitory view (from a series of 6 photographs) |
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| Park Visit 1 |
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| Park Visit 2 |
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| Park Visit 2.1 |
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| Park Visit 3 |
I enjoyed experimenting with the different settings on my digital camera that I can manually change. The tutor thinks my photographs are beautiful and thoughtful. She asked whether I write words down when I walk and observe my surroundings, I showed her this simple poetry and list of words I had created:-
I found a peaceful spot
to collect my thoughts together
surrounded by luscious green grass
tall textured trees
and birds singing, the signs of spring
Long shadows fell onto the uneven path
tree domination was strong
birch trees adorned the place where I was sat
observing, thinking, memorising
a gentle breeze
twisting trees
fallen leaves
shadows
sun reflections
sweet birds song
aroma of spring flowers
bumble bee buzzing
variation of trees
twigs
insects
branches
birds
lampposts
feathers
reflections
She particularly liked the last list of words I wrote above, she enjoyed the abstractness conveyed by the simple list. The next stage of my project is to consider printing a selection of my photographs out and finding a space to exhibit them in. I need to consider different solutions of presenting, I could create visualisation sheets using Photoshop to see how my photographs would look if I printed them out in different scales.
I also need to consider how to combine my words with my imagery. My tutor suggested I could use a projector with my memory stick plugged in so my photographs could be projected onto a wall space. I could then record how natural light affects the way my photographs look. I think this is an interesting idea as I have never done anything like this before and I like the thought of my exhibit being a little interactive as I could record people looking at my images and see if any human shadows appear. I would have to think about how to record these photographs throughout the exhibition, perhaps having my camera set up on a tripod or something less obvious and hidden so as not to draw attention to the fact that I am recording the scene.
My work could fit with James Turrell's way of thinking. He uses dark spaces for his exhibitions and I have the opportunity to use the University car park located underground - underneath the main University building for my temporary exhibition.
I hope to exhibit my work somewhere in the University as I would like it to reach a wide audience of Polish art students and professors who may be interested in the work I have been creating. The University also seems quite open so I'm sure that visitors would be able to view it as well. My tutor also suggested I could record myself saying the words I have written and play it within my exhibit, I'm not sure I'm too keen on this idea as I don't really like the sound of my own voice however it could be interesting for Polish people to hear an English accent recorded!
It could be a great exhibit that combines sound, image and space, like an installation.
The first exhibition would be temporary so that I could record my observations and then I could participate in the exhibition at the end of term, including my new photographs in my exhibition series. My focus for the time being is deciding how to create the temporary exhibit and set it up, as well as thinking about camera obscura and returning to the original meaning I interpreted for light sensitivity, in particular use of abstract light in my work.
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