emmabartik

[emmabartik]

Final work. 

Bitten apple, embedded in hardened epoxy resin.  25c m x 12.5 cm.

My choice of materials here is specific to comment on the rapidly expanding evolution of preservation of both the self and all other living organisms. 

The process needed to preserve the apple in its current state is hindered by the materials and system to do so. 

As the resin begins to chemically set, the temperature rises above 160 degrees Celsius and in turn cooks the apple causing any moisture from the fruit to boil and expand outwards. Both of these side effects in turn disrupt the natural state of the fruit, but more forwardly, have now created a discourse in the function of the fruit itself, it is forever immortalised but no longer edible. 

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The continual extension of shelf life from common and once thought healthy or natural ingredients begins to pose the question of which benefits us more, the length of "freshness" or the actual freshness itself. 

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The desire to preserve and present the "freshest", most colourful and least damaged produce often in turn means that our meals are not as straight forward as they may appear. Read any label, and marvel. 

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Damien Hirst."Out of sight. Out of mind." 1991

Glass, painted steel, silicone, cows’ heads and formaldehyde solution.

Hirst literally halves his animals and preserves them in solution to draw attention to brutal nature of slaughter and treatment of animals. 

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This text by author and now vegan Jonathon Safaran Foer details the process in which items of food initially deemed and to be understood as natural undergo in the journey from farm to plate in order to prolong freshness, value and appeal. 

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It could be said on occasions in the act of attempting to preserve an item - in this case the freshness of an organic orange - the act of doing so juxtaposes the intent. The use of material that does not breath, breakdown or benefit then very environment that created the orange in the first place. 

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Image credit:http://www.fineartconservationlab.com/in-lab/“restored”-painting-of-christ-in-spain-“behold-the-monkey”/

The act of conservation in order to preserve items, moments or movements, in order for that information to be continued for extended periods of time and carried on into the future is all determined by relevance and importance. 

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Museum Mummy . Gregg Hardiman © Australian Museum.

One of the most Ancient forms of preserving the body to ensure luxury in the afterlife. Not only a focus on the physical body but the spirit and soul as well. 

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Joseph Beuys "Save the Woods" 1972. 

Preservation extends itself to the protection of one organism from another in a relationship of dependence.  Awareness of nature and its function to aid in human prevalence despite seeming obvious, is often overidden by desire for technological and physical aid. 

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http://thesaurus.com/browse/preservation

SYNONYMS 

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Google image - Decay.

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Antithetical -lipgloss, lines & sugar

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MAP - "WHY?" ASSESSMENT ONE

Although visually the presentation of this map is seemingly lacking in creativity, I have drawn on the functional elements of a “waterfall” style map and its purpose to display large quantities of information and thought patterns in a succinct manner. By utilizing the method of divergent thinking to begin from one idea or concept, in this case “manipulation”, to then explore each possible sub topic with an array of relevant sound bites each presenting a new possible direction or intent for this work as a whole, allows for this initial investigation to be recorded as a constant point of reference through out the developmental and creation process. To then converge my ideas towards the direction of a final destination, I sifted through the information to draw out key elements that when combined create a dialogue to comment on the concept of manipulation through different forms of expression. 

As a creative and visual thinker, I often find it easy to get lost in the aesthetics and character of a piece of work rather then focus on the intent behind it. For Assessment Two where the conceptual elements of the work are to be not only the catalyst but also the feature of the piece, I would find it incredibly useful to have the journey of the concept clearly on display as a reference point when feeling disillusioned.

My colour choices in the map are not only for complimentary reasons but to easily distinguish primary ideas in much the same manner as a geographical or data based map would use a key.

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MAP ASSESSMENT ONE

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Memory link 2

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Map of memory to art

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Conceptual destruction...