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Social Art Project

Being asked to produce a proposal which involved opening up the art world to others, I thought of a community project, involving young people in the area who seem to have lost their way and the local canal organisation who could possibly benefit in their help in keeping these areas up to scratch and allowed the youngsters to express themselves in a creative art form. It’s very ambitious of course because the amount of red tape and public opinion involved, but I think it would make a difference if by some miracle, it was accepted.

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Mario Testino Exhibition, Lima

Finally got the chance to go to the gallery of the fashion and art photographer, Mario Testino.

After an hour getting lost in the city, having to ask for directions and not being able to speak a word of Spanish (luckily when I mentioned the photographer’s name, they knew where I was trying to get to) I reached the elusive building. On the outside it’s surprisingly modest yet very pretty. I guess Testino didn’t want to ruin the landscape of his hometown. But once inside, with its huge glass doors and grey walls, you really start to feel the atmosphere build up, and when you see the work, you understand why.

Although it looks like something you see all the time in magazines etc, I’m reminded how unique his work was in the early 90’s. The images displayed in the gallery are huge and you can see just how powerful they were in colour and clarity. The fashion world stood and paid attention as he offered something no one else could at the time.

In the next room, there’s a huge collection of celebrities he’s photographed over the years. You can tell how his notoriety has had them falling over themselves to work with him, looking closely at them, you can see why...he does a talent for making the look stunning.

The installation room is Testino talking about his work. You are surrounded by walls of moving images and while you are seated in the middle, he takes you through his history of how he came to where he is now.

In the next part of the gallery you can see how he is starting to pull away from the glamorous world of celebrity and fashion. You can tell he’s trying to make his work his own again rather than catering for the needs of the rich and famous. His ethnic background is being expressed through the different cultures he has wanted to work with, as well as the colourful textiles.

It is only when you go to the top floor of the gallery, that you see where he has really come into his own.

This is his Alta Moda collection. They are portraits of a Peruvian community in Ccatcca, Cusco, in their carnival costume. I don’t know exactly why he chose not to showcase this work internationally, as it is his best work yet. The passion and love for his country really shines through. Perhaps it’s to respect the local people who agreed to pose for him, or the fact that just wants keep his prized pieces in his own little gallery for safe keeping. Whatever the reason, snapshots of this work doesn’t do it justice, it really needs to seen to be believed.

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Text Works

Looking into the powerful format of textual art, I paid particular attention to the influences of the artist Barbara Kruger. Looking more closely into her work, I had no idea how powerful this format can be. Two pieces of her work really stood out for me, the use of the images of Adolf Hitler and the american flag, as it’s very reflective of whats going on in society and the media today.

With her influences, I decided to create a banner about something I really feel troubled about in society at this moment in time. The growing number of racists incidents in this country at the past few years is becoming extremely unsettling, more so the fact that an increasing number of people think it seems justified because of the ongoing terrorist incidents and the forthcoming Brexit event. What really angers me is the media right now, who seem hell bent on fuelling the fire, instead of helping organisations educate people and making them realise that not everyone from ethnic minorities, or from other countries who have come to live and work, are only here to cause harm, drain the system and take over the country.

While I respect the history that has formed the Union Jack in the 17th Century (England, Scotland & Ireland coming together as one nation) I feel this flag represents so much more now. People from all walks of life have made some powerful contributions to this country over many years. My grandparents, for example, along with thousands came here from Jamaica in the mid 50’s to work for the industries that were failing miserably because they couldn’t get enough workers from there own backyard. That in itself should be respected. For it all to be disregarded due to events since 2001 is quite frankly unacceptable.

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Infographics cont.

With influences from Poulin & Morris and airline safety cards, I made some rough (and I mean rough) idea sketches of my own, designing an advisory card for very young flight attendants faced with possible sexual harassment from people in power…flight crew and high profile business persons in particular.

Working as cabin crew myself, all too often I see young women and men (as young as 18) being put in an uncomfortable situations by individuals that should know and behave better. Unfortunately some, either through naivety or feeling pushed, make poor decisions that lead to the usual consequences such as gossip and judgement by fellow crew.

I thought giving them a little advice card, without having to have an uncomfortable conversation about the issue, would at least give them a fighting chance of leaving future flights they have, anywhere in the world, with their dignity and integrity still intact.

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Influential graphic design that changes public opinion

This week we talked about how campaigns using graphic design as promotional media has changed cultural lifestyles all over the world. I have mixed feelings on this subject, because in my opinion it can be a good and a bad thing.

In particular, the huge ‘stop smoking’ campaigns, over the years, has caused a divide in our culture’s social scenes that can never be replaced...with people now making judgement on one another based on their choice to smoke or not. In other cases, the breast awareness campaigns have been fantastic, with women, especially teens and younger women, having more understanding of what to look for. In my experience, when I was young, I wish I had this kind of awareness material when I had a few health scares.

All in all, the use of graphic design to send a message has been very well executed, but with today’s society there needs to be more understanding in human behaviour, so that the messages that are promoted are not taken out of context.

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INTRO INTO COMPOSITION

A little project we were set as part of our composition lecture. Finding letters in objects all around our environment. Not as easy as it looks!

Had an interesting talk on how various techniques are used in photography and media, in order to attract public attention. For example, a most common art and photography technique is called ‘The Rule of Thirds’, in which you apparently break an image into equal parts both vertically and horizontally. It helps fill in a whole image in one space to make it more appealing. I have found myself taking pictures using this method for years and have been unaware that it had a name! Good to know I’m on the right track.

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This week we had a seminar on writing in the arts industry. The subject was based on different outlets and formats on which the art and artists themselves are promoted nationally and internationally. We touched on the function of art criticism and how there seems to be a constant battle between artist and critic when it comes to relevance and progression. On how extremely difficult it is to write as an artist when it comes to critique and actually explaining the work that we do. For myself this is an extremely weak spot and will take some time to come to grips with but I’m willing to give it my best.

The afternoon was a computer session on Adobe Illustrator. It’s the first time I even looked at this program and I’m not afraid to admit to finding it really stressful. I know I will eventually get my head around it but I do get frustrated when I don’t understand something straight away. Patience is a virtue, or so they say, so I shall persevere.

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I’ve been given a new case study which will give me the opportunity to delve into the world of one of my favourite fashion designers, Vivienne Westwood. Her influence opened my eyes to world of fashion ever since the 90’s. The boundaries she crossed and the people she shocked back in the day is something I will never forget.

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Looking back on my second week…

For our first workshop discussion ‘Inside/Out’, we talked about portraits from different artists and what they use as visual representations of themselves. I was particularly interested in the Queen Elizabeth I ‘Rainbow Portrait’ by an anonymous artist. There were a range of symbols in the portrait that I had never seen before and makes complete sense when they were pointed out to me, particularly the eyes embroidered on her gown which symbolised the power she has amongst her royal court and her court, making it known to everyone that she is watching everyone and nothing escapes her. I enjoyed this subtle note of passive aggressive symbolism and will definitely keep it in mind on my future projects.

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Mapping. Didn’t really know what to do with this idea so I decided to go for something for more literal, I wanted to interpret mapping in my own way, so I draw a map of my journey from home to my university using my mind’s eye. Where I live right now, I’m always drawn to the fact that the buildings I pass seem to be uncomfortably linked. The banks next the bar and pubs, which brings you to church…possibly so you can pray for forgiveness the morning after, the number of homeless that sleep nearby the church..mostly alcoholics and addicts who are the edge, then over the bridge…a hospital, for the ones who are too far gone. I don’t know if this has been done on purpose as it is an ancient coal mining town. But it does seem rather strange that the locals there seem to be stuck in some kind of hamster cage in the town.

Once I drew the picture I figured out ways I would like to portray it. I’m interested in textiles and decided I would like to do an embroidery and appliqué piece.

In the afternoon of my course, we had a photoshop technique session, so I put my idea to work by putting my drawing on on screen then adding textures and colours to it, to see what would work. It turned out pretty well so I will continue to research this and see where it takes me.

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In Lima, Peru...on my way the Mario Testino Museum in Barranco. I couldn’t help but notice that I was literally surrounded Street art portraiture. It’s absolutely amazing...the colours and the stories they must tell. Trying to figure out what they could be!

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Last week we talked about how we can represent our identity in portraits using different signs such as objects, colors, patterns, backgrounds etc. With this in mind, I thought about how I could construct my portrait using images of my home life within my work life. For some reason I thought of my old work shoes and how well travelled and worn out they are...a bit like how I feel these days. Trying to figure out how I would like to show how much the aviation industry, any corporate industry in fact, can consume your entire life, knock the soul right out of you, and how you have to really fight to keep and maintain your own true identity.

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My module for my first semester had begun. The first tasks we had to do was extremely uncomfortable and funny at the same time…for all of us. We had to do a range of sittings and draw portraits of each other. Now I don’t know about anyone else, but it has been ages since I’ve sat that up close and personal with a complete stranger, staring at their face for long periods of time. Drawing my subject’s eyes was the most awkward experience. We tried so hard to maintain eye contact without laughing but it was really hard. Reflecting on it now, it made me see how much things have changed, as naturally basic communication such as eye contact is struggling to be maintained in today’s digital world.

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For the start of my foundation course we were literally thrown into the deep end and given drawing exercises to do. I'm not afraid to say that stomach was doing somersaults at this point, as I haven't drawn like this in years...and I mean 'years'. However, I am a believer in facing your fears and I appreciate that the tutors for doing this. It dragged me out my comfort zone and made me realise I do still have my drawing ability...however rusty it is (definitely room for improvement!)