Talking to Jonny and further Pixelation

Prolific [pro·lif·ic] adj.  Producing abundant works or results: "A prolific writer."

I’m bloody Prolific.

Today I spoke to Jonny further about my ideas with the project and how it had evolved into this exploration of the body, he noticed that I carry a lot of my drawings around in a small plastic wallet and suggested this could be a way of displaying my images. I really like this idea and commented on how it would be like a ‘fun pack’ that one receives when they join a club or some sort of association. Of course this isn't what I want my project to be like because im not a complete Berk, but I would like to have a collection of images about the body. It would give me variations in size, shape and medium, I could have posters that fold out of the nervous system and small little books of cells and atoms. Scale will be interesting to play with, as well as the previous idea of layering: from skin to vein, artery to nervous system. 

“dem bones dem bones, dem dry bones” CLICK ME

I also looked back at some photos I had taken and wanted to explore further this idea of pixelating the images with colour halftones. 

I took this photo whist waiting for a train and I’ve always been fascinated by this building, I guess I like its cold and harsh modernist feel. But I decided to enlarge certain points and then bring in the use of the half-tone. It linked back to what I had done with my brain image. It identified areas and eludes to ideas like diagnosis and discovering areas of weakness, it targets sections and draws the you in.

I brought this process to an image of my hand, again its very basic but I wanted to see the effect it would bring when brought to an image of the human body. I had noticed a cut on my hand and I guess this made me think of photographing it, and so I did so, and placed a halftone square patch onto it. It created a similar affect as before, perhaps its could highlight an infected area. I then decided to create another, slightly smaller, patch on top of that one and repeated this process to create progressively smaller squares. What i noticed was that each time the coloration of the pixels went a step forward in the color chart: from red to orange to yellow. 

Interesting.

Hunterian

Embellish [em·bel·lish] tr.v.  1. To make beautiful, as by ornamentation; decorate.  2. To add fictitious details to exaggerate the truth: "A fanciful account that embellished the true story."

Can you embellish death?

On Wednesday I went on a trip with the course to London, on that trip I visited two places:

The John Sloane Museum

The Royal College of Surgeons- Hunterian Museum.

I really enjoyed both visits but what I saw at the Hunterian Museum truly fascinated me, as I am investigating into the human body as part of my project, I had always hoped it would deliver me with some inspiration. The Hunterian Museum is a collection of anatomical, pathological and zoological specimens collected by the surgeon, John Hunter.  The majority of these specimen are displayed in jars of formaldehyde to preserve their states, and this manner of displaying the items created an eerie effect, especially when it came to subjects such as human limbs, the partial face of a child and fully developed babies.

On my return home and on the next few days I was focussed on creating images of the brain, I continued my idea of layering as I carried out with the head layers,but I then took these images into photoshop to see what could be produced.  

I was thinking about the processes of the brain and what thinking an problem solving it carries out. The ABC.. represents this idea of thought, whilst the pixelated shape represent an outside/alien subject entering or attacking the brain, not only in a subjective sense, it also displays this visually.

I like the pixelation, it highlights an area; it seems like an alert.

Progression

Prognosticate [prog·nos·ti·cate] tr.v.  To predict according to present indications or signs; foretell.

So far I would prognosticate that I know where I am going.

A couple of days ago I had written of my excitement of the human body and how it made me feel about the project. I decided to expand on one of the images I had found and to work from this to create images/patterns.

This is the image I worked from; I was interested by the veins and how they networked around the skull. 

I decided to trace them as to see what they would be like without the outline of the skull. The result was just red line but it pleased me, but I felt this was only scratching the surface of this area of investigation. As I sat at my desk I decided that instead of removing the tracing paper I would layer another piece on top of it, and would then find another aspect to trace, or to perhaps work for the newly drawn veins underneath. I merely traced the outline of the head but it was really pleasing how the images below was trying to push through tracing paper and it made me want to continue this process. [Like earlier with what I was trying with the printing, I was exploring the ideas of layers and repetitions, it is becoming to be a theme but nonetheless it seems to be productive so I shall allow it to continue.] I proceeded to add layer after layer until I had made ten different sheets with each pages a slight response to it predecessor. I made a short video clip of the sheets:

HERE

Looking back at the images and their layering it makes me think of skin cells and how there is a constant shedding and regrowth, how skin is translucent and only creates a block of colour through its repetition, much like the tracing paper i was using. Its not a particularly astounding discovery but its is definitely something to think about, there is potential in that. I shall continue to draw and explore and thus shall find more. 

Some poetry there.

Veins and Vessels

Antithesis [an·tith·e·sis] n.pl.  1. Direct contrast; opposition.  2. The direct or exact opposite: "Hope is the antithesis of despair."

I am the antithesis of myself

Today I spoke to Alexandra about our presentation document and during this meeting we carried out an exercise which had us draw for thirty minutes and the goal was only to do what we enjoyed. I created a circle (see image) and this has become something of a signature of mine within my work. I discussed how I enjoyed the technicality of the drawing, of the time and planning, it was interesting to see what reflects from myself into my work and I have always been aware of this. My journey throughout my artistic education has constantly asked me to challenge what it is I am creating and in recent months I've really felt connected to what I produce in my work and have truly begun to see why it is I create it.

The Body-

I started to look for diagrams and images of the human body- blood vessels, cells and networks. Im going to begin to draw these, I like the way they are connected as networks to carry information around the body. The idea of the vastness inside such a small amount of area within us is an idea that simultaneously excites, scares and intrigues me.

I want to learn more about what the body can do and hope that by combining this with my research and drawings I shall find much more about the subject and also push my self to create images of relevance and interest.

http://www.arthursclipart.org/medical/circulatory/page_01.htm- I found this website whilst researching and am transfixed b the diagrammatical drawings of our human body. I love the shapes and patterns, all created through evolution and natures, what a powerful idea, shapes created from purity, these are not man-made, they make-man. Im also suddenly seduced by the notion that these diagrammatical drawings take away any sort of emotion to the human body and create an approach of complete fact, they are distant to thought, feeling or opinion they only reveal truths,information or facts, they are themselves maps. Is there a way I can add emotion or a level of humanity to such rigid, hollow drawings. The irony of emotionless representation of human is also very intriguing.

An example of the vessels that interested me.

Beneficially Detrimental

Oxymoron [ox·y·mo·ron] n.pl.  A phrase in which two words of contradictory meaning are used together for special effect, for example, “wise fool” or “to make haste slowly.”

Beneficially detrimental.

Yesterday was the Private View for the Bargate Exhibition, It went well even if it was a lot of work. Im glad it is over now as i feel full focus and finally return to the FMP. I have been thinking further of my idea for man and machine, I think I want to take up an idea I once pursued in the previous project and create drawings of body part/organs/cells to represent the body, I think as I progress with these illustrations I shall hopefully stumble across something else; lots of ideas are swimming around and I feel I am just waiting for them to collide. I also think I may do the same with mechanical parts constructions that perhaps mirror or have similarities to the human form and hopefully I will learn something in this process.

During the setting up for the exhibition I was asked to create a large circle piece by Jonny; it was larger than any piece I have created before with my illustrations and made me want to pursue my designs on a larger scale, I had always thought about this before but now I have actually carried out the process and to a degree of success and satisfaction has made me more motivated to achieve this once again. 

Some images of my piece.

Bargate Gallery

Effusive [ef·fu·sive] adj.  1. Unrestrained or excessive in emotional expression; gushy: "An effusive manner."  2. Profuse; overflowing: "effusive praise."

Is it good to be like this?

Today was more work going to set up our show at the Bargate Gallery, it’s a great experience to get us warmed up for our final degree show; and fingers crossed it all goes well. Today I also carried on experimenting with my prints from earlier in the week, making some of the images to hopefully sell at the Bargate.

The FMP has taken a slight backseat with the Gallery event coming up and it all seems focused towards that, but Im still ticking things over and coming up with solutions to my own project.

Man/Machine

Vexatious [vex·a·tious] adj.  1. Full of annoyance or distress; harassed.  2. Causing or creating vexation; annoying. "Her ex-husband put her in a vexatious situation."

Thankfully, the project doesn’t seem Vexatious today.

The last two days I have spent talking to lecturers about my project idea, already I have seen some changes. Jonny suggested that I reduce the large spectrum of ideas to one category, and after a small discussion we settled on ‘structures’ something I was rather fond of, and it also still allowed me to be expansive and explore a rang of ideas, but speak to Pete today he suggested that starting from something condensed and expanding would be more successful than opposite, he spoke of perhaps focusing on the human body, as this was one of my other ideas for the structures- the human skeleton is a form of structure and thus is the origin of the idea. I quite like this idea of portraying the human body in some manner, but i am also keen on the ideas of buildings.

Later I also spoke to Ceri who again questioned whether the topic of the human body was still too broad for me and we talked of ideas of the five sense as a possible way of weighing down the book. I do like the idea, but it doesn't sit so well with me, I guess I worry what will happen if I become bored with the project halfway through, I would never give up on my FMP, but if I lost interest surely I would not be as successful as possible?We also discussed the link of science and art and this was again something that appealed, i love the concept of using formula or mathematics of some kind, it works with the geometry. Reflecting on what was talked today I seem to be settling on Man and Machine, so maybe this is a pathway, there could be comparisons and differences, and it gives me a nice buffer zone to bounce between the two mediums. Maybe there are two books (one for each topic) or maybe a double ended book; one half machine one man with an amalgamation as you travel to the centre.

Today I also screen printed some scans of my initial prints I did on day one, I really liked the results, especially the second print. I found it interesting the texture formed from the envelope pattern and how those individual images had been combined for an experiment (there only connection being they were all my work) but the mix of drawing, writing, font and photography was truly married when I screen printed it all as one color, it created a uniform and an image that was very fulfilling; ideas for the future, perhaps to link man and machine.

I experimented with some pixelated bill board paper I had be intrigued by in my previous project. By printing onto it I enjoyed how it affected the image that was printed.

The collage of various images that become unified in the screen print.

Analogue

Guile [guile] n.  1. Treacherous cunning; skillful deceit. Particular skill and cleverness in tricking or deceiving people.

Hopefully I have more of the skill and less of the deceit, although it is fun to toy with peoples perceptions when it comes to art.

Today I took to the print room, if very briefly, as I wanted to recreate what I had done with my laser-jet printer at home but with printing inks and hand rollers. I simply cut shapes into newsprint then rolled over these shapes with a red ink to leave marks on some papers and images I had extracted from a book I picked up called ‘ Sets for School’. It has a very pleasing cover and could be a source for some illustrations. The results from my work were good and I liked how the ink sat on laser-printed images. 

But today was more so that I was testing the water for something later down the line; I need to focus more on where my work starts before I tackle how it shall be exported, but theres no harm in trying, better to progress than stagnate and after-all something has been achieved. Research Research Research, am I looking for something again? Re:search, I like that. A possible title. As im writing I am discovering new things in my project and my mind is opening up to new possibilities, I like this.

Beginnings

Mercurial [mer·cu·ri·al] adj.  1. Quick and changeable in temperament; volatile: "A mercurial temperament."

Sometimes I guess I can be slightly Mercurial.

( I decided that at the start of every entry I would use a word of the day, it was just something to perhaps reflect on, and also it added a little touch to each individual entry.)

So today was launchpad, and it has gone swimmingly. Okay so maybe Monday was really launch day but today feels like I've really got that foot in the first of many doors and it’s been quite productive. I started by compiling my notes and writing up what I planned to do for my FMP and after a while, decided to experiment with my printer, as this is an area I really want to explore. I looked through some of my images and printed out a rough poster that i was not very happy with and decided to then put it straight back in the machine and print another image over it. I took an image and began removing all the white background to create one of solid black shape that I could then reprint. The results were very satisfying and I continued to use this approach. 

I soon thought about what different papers I could use in my printer, surely if they were A4 sized (or there about) I could run these through the machine? It worked and really added something else to the images, I think this has many possibilities: I first used some old and worn paper I received from my grandfather and then moved onto the inside of large envelopes, I always had found their inner patterns interesting and to layer these with other images of mine was once again successful. I really enjoyed how the ink layered up and you could see and even feel the various textures and images, I was also thinking about the layers we use in photoshop and how I could print these individually, something to think about for the future.

I think the next step is to being building images for my sets of designs and then try translating this process in to the print room, using screen prints to emulate the effect and hopefully make some new discoveries.

Oh printing you are my mistress.

Here are some of examples achieved by running and re-running the same sheet throughout the printer for each separate layer.