jamesandrewsfmp

[jamesandrewsfmp]

Evaluation

A theme or specialism is an aspect I tend to contemplate for far too long, and then I become stuck. I like to do a mix of different things, that being sculpture, drawing, mixed media and collage. I like to think of my work as being quite graphical with abstract elements whether that be text, shape or colour. I am also very influenced by architecture, and how it all comes into one. Photography is something I have a streak of passion for, having a feature where you can capture a moment in time and it be there forever is quite mesmerising. I wanted to become more experimental with my use of materials and further my ideas on this project. By doing this I planned to create an outcome that is something I wouldn't usually think to do and would test my ability and thought processes along my journey of breaking down my chosen title to its simplest form.

Surface - the outside part or uppermost layer of something.

Repetition - the action of repeating something that has already been said or written.

Translate - express the sense of (words or text) in another language.

Minimalism - a movement in sculpture and painting which arose in the 1950s, characterized by the use of simple, massive forms.

an avant-garde movement in music characterized by the repetition of very short phrases which change gradually, producing a hypnotic affect.

Renaissance - a revival of or renewed interest in something.

Interior/Exterior- situated on or relating to the inside of something;

Inner -forming, situated on, or relating to the outside of something.

Urban - in, relating to, or characteristic of a town or city.

Identity - the fact of being who or what a person or thing is.

Palette/Pattern - the range of colours used by one. a repeated decorative design.

Narrowing down my ten chosen words to five to three to one was a difficult procedure, but I got there. I tried to choose words that were versatile to my specialisms. Words that also correlate to my way of working, and way of thought. Aspects that I’m interested in within art and design are construction, abstract art, brutalism, assemblage and minimalism. Brutalist architecture for example the tones shadows, depths, material and even texture inspired me to be more sculptural within my ideas. The thought of using hard edge shapes with a limited palette brought me to the idea and word choice of minimalism, which fitted ever so well with everything I had in mind. Artists such as Ben Nicholson launched my idea of being organic with colour, shape, line and placement of the composition. Reg Butler later influencing me with his boxy cement base maquettes, thin structures and overall form. Combining two ideas, my interest in architectural brutalism and minimalism. Being thoughtful with my decision of material, the starting point being a cardboard mould that was a box shape which I poured a cement mix into. The mould fell apart and the outcome wasn't overly impressive. Evaluating the faults and misfortunes I decided to try again using cardboard, this time using cardboard as the structure. Glueing and attaching one box to another, building a brutalist body of boxes. Playing with box nets and just empty packaging boxes, applying coats of PVA to seal the surface to later apply a coat of sand and cement. The original shell of cardboard becoming unrecognisable from what it once was, a skin of cement with various textures and levels.

Preparing my outcome and piecing it all together was a journey from beginning to end, the overall aspect I wanted to achieve was the element of a journey. Which I feel as if I accomplished in good time, overall outcome stance and situ had flaws, but still being a dramatic piece in a way. My outcomes didn't have a base, but they sat on a plinth in various computations. Complementing one another with the colour scheme, material choice and shape of my outcomes. Presentation of outcomes one in particular, that being my final outcome, this could have been displayed on a pole or been extended up from a base rather than leaning to one side. A part of my project which I should have planned out more than just in my head was the presentation. Regardless of the outcomes in my mind I still thought they looked impressive to a certain degree, with the backdrop of my continuous line drawings of the piece itself to finish the journey of which I went on.

My method of evaluating myself and work throughout was to organise mini-exhibitions of the journey to see how successful they appear in an environment where the main subject is just the outcome itself. This process was very effective and let me evaluate my work quickly to the next step, as outcomes go on I begin to test myself using methods I haven't used before as well as materials too. The ability to hold my mini-exhibitions wasn't just for developing work it was also useful for determining whether work was finished or not, repeating the process with drawings too by framing them and using them as backdrop pieces. Receiving feedback along the way from lectures providing me with vital information about relatable artists and movements. Taking them all into consideration and relating them to my project in one way or another.

[jamesandrewsfmp]

Exhibition 2

Exhibition two was just as successful as the last. The location of the sculpture from it being on its side to standing up, both visually interesting from both perspectives. The brutalist elements collide subtly into the abstract qualities coming into one as a whole. The drawings that sat as a backdrop were a perfect ending to my whole final major project, the end of a journey in a sense.

Continuous line drawings of my outcome, I produced these one after the other, being quick and not too thought about. I just followed the outline of the subject's shape to later use a printing circle to create the hole in my box. The intensity of the black circle and the positioning of where it was too sat in a way where your eyes can travel around the whole objective. Consideration of the golden section and commendatory placement of the lines made this series successful. Using a range of different drawing materials, capturing various effects and rhythms. I started by drawing my main outcome with charcoal pencils, I chose charcoal because it's a struggle to pause without making a mess. The honesty element of using a material that you can't change or easily perfect in one chance. Producing lines with no pause and at a steady pace was the whole aim, and I feel as if I achieved that.

[jamesandrewsfmp]

Exhibition 1

Holding an exhibition of the box outcome as well as drawings to complete the series. Both of which, colours, outcome, atmosphere are all very appreciative of one another. If I had more time or had completed my outcomes earlier on I would've experimented with more environments. Such as a wood or a forest, a brutalist like area with a sharp edge of a building or half a shadow cast over my outcome.

[jamesandrewsfmp]

My first outcome using cardboard being my most favourite, because of the little thought behind it and how successful each step was. Not only the success of the outcome but how well it captures 'minimalism' from my point of view. A small build with various elements other than cement within, being able to display the outcome in various arrangements and it remains to look as good as the last is something quite hard to achieve.

[jamesandrewsfmp]

My least favourite outcome and probably most unsuccessful too appearance-wise of capturing minimalism. There are positives to the final product of this outcome as with every outcome, the journey itself and where it all started. The flaws of this are the choice of material and the thought process, the idea was there but the outcome wasn't how I planned. This whole piece isn't a throwaway as much as I might think it is, because later I was able to see my past mistake in future outcomes and quickly save those from falling the way this one did.

[jamesandrewsfmp]

An older outcome which I decided to fill the gap with white cement, regardless of how much it was a rough test run. In the end it turned out to fit into the series of all my pieces, its unrefined edges, surfaces and even the open tabs are ever so complimentary to the rest of the series. The overall display and situ was not its strongest point by any means, but the qualities and elements of which this piece hold are very strong and all correlate back to my title as of which I feel as if I have achieved to produce an final outcome that is minimal.

[jamesandrewsfmp]

Creating with plaster by Dona Z. Meliach

Furthering my research by looking into other materials such as plaster. The possible outcomes and various techniques that can be used to capture a similar outcome to what I have produced with cardboard.

Urban Arches was a page in particular that stood out to me, because if the repetition of shape, layers, rhythm.

Ben Nicholson

Benjamin Lauder Nicholson, OM was an English painter of abstract compositions, landscape and still-life

[jamesandrewsfmp]

An outcome that I didn't document the journey of and wished I had, as simple as it was, the journey was an experience that played tricks along the way. Not having very high hopes to begin with, the early stages of production but later showing less is more. Reflecting on minimalism this outcome achieving that in its greatest form. If I was to produce a box just like this one again I would document the journey and use a bigger box possibly to emphasise the statement of minimalism just that much more.

[jamesandrewsfmp]

After this current project I plan to further this outcome by covering it in a stronger PVA so it could last outside, if not leaving it to cave in on itself outside to see what effect I would get from doing this.

[jamesandrewsfmp]

I chose to photograph my outcome on the other side to show the smooth side, which was just as interesting because of the depths and tones. The cardboard flaps and small gaps that are ever so subtle start to appear as your eyes begin travel around the shape of the outcome.

[jamesandrewsfmp]

Photographing my outcome in a better state of situ, a complicated confusion trying to position my box in a way where it would balance perfectly. A base or a pole for it to sit on would be impractical and more than likely wouldn't last. How my outcome is in my most recent pictures isn't too minimal or overcomplicated in a state. Theres an even balance of the two, which I tried to achieve in all my outcomes.

[jamesandrewsfmp]

After a day or two of leaving my result to throughly dry out I brushed off the dust and cleaned up minor little lumps and bumps which had developed in cracks and on edges. In doing this made my outcome that much more sharp looking and smoother to look at.

[jamesandrewsfmp]

The first coat being patchy in areas where there is more sand than cement, but later easily corrected by applying the second coat. I decided to close both boxes on either side, because of the practicality side of things. The lids of the boxes were hard to keep close so I used weighted sheets of lead to keep them shut.

[jamesandrewsfmp]

Beginning to cover areas with the first layer of sand and cement, some areas being patchy but easily fixed with a second coat later on. Edges having a variation of thick and thin amounts of cement, an interesting contrast between the two. Smooth, rough, and uneven.

[jamesandrewsfmp]

Rearranging the primary box in various ways and seeing which looked best. Being thoughtful of the composition throughout the process. Considering textures, angles, and even gaps and holes in the boxes, choosing to leave one box open with a slight gap and the other completely closed but with a hole to compensate.

[jamesandrewsfmp]

Applying a coat of PVA to seal and strengthen my box, filling in gaps and little misfortunes so the cement can be easily applied. Without it being patchy in vital areas, and where it might break and fall apart.

[jamesandrewsfmp]

A change of plans for the base, using a bigger box that is a lot more sturdy and seems like more of an "ending" to my outcome. Facing struggles along the way, whether it would be successful and playing it smart. I tried to think of the lifespan of my outcome too, later on possibly planning to finish my outcome with a stronger PVA so it'll last. My method of attaching one box to the other was complicated, but worked surprisingly well and was very strong.