Building

I spent this last week starting to build my installation. I have been investigating which knots and materials work best to communicate my concept. I asked woodwork to make me a metre square cube that I could use to put my work into and begin to create my installation. I ordered 60m of 20mm hemp rope. However I did not expect it to be so difficult to cut and tie. The ends also need attention as after I managed to cut it with a hacksaw, it began to fray. I need to find a solution to this problem otherwise the whole thing will look unfinished and potentially fall apart.

Shining a light onto the ropes produced abstract shapes within the space, I like this effect as it reflects the identity of the work onto an individual, referencing a barcode. I will need a high intensity light in order to create vivid shadows, but depending on the space of the final install, will determine the level of light needed and the level of shadows that can be produced. This rope is a 9mm polypropylene. It is very cheap and used in the construction industry. Due to its completely man made fibre content, it doesn't hang very straight but does block out all light producing strong shadows on surrounding walls.

Here, I have begun to manipulate the colours using Photoshop. I am interested in investigating dying the rope to create a colour palette, but am conscious of including unnecessary colour. The hemp I used has a natural colour quality to it that would be a shame to dye over. It is also very thick so dye may not take to it. However a smaller 10mm rope would hopefully dye easily and create a visually appealing hanging.

Installation Research

I will be creating an installation environment for the final degree show that shows my ideas about identity and data. I have been researching installation environments that I like in order to inspire and inform me. I like spaces that engulf people and exist all around. I like environments that reflect upon individuals and immerse them within the subject.

Random International, Rain Room 2012

This environment is confusing yet totally immerses you within the art. The rain cleverly bounces off individuals so as not to get them wet. You can stand in the rain without feeling the effects of it. This is the culmination of years of research, tests and development and shows how an abstract idea can be made a realistic invention.

Antony Gormley

These environments are like mazes. They create disorientation and confusion through complex pattern and shape. I want to create a space that surrounds the viewer and engages people with my concept. 

BLIND LIGHT, 2007

CLEARING IV, 2005

FIRMAMENT III, 2009

Cornelia Parker Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View (1991)

I visited this installation currently in exhibition at the Whitworth Art Gallery. It is one of Cornelia Parkers most celebrated works. It shows an exploded shed centred around a light bulb. The use of light and shadow gives the installation movement and captures the explosion in time. I love how the work reflects upon individuals closer to the work and immersing them within it.

I imagine the audience of my work to be creative practitioners, gallery goers and other art students. I am communicating a concept that is concerned with contemporary issues, which is something that others can also respond too. I like the idea of exhibiting work across the country and informing others about contemporary issues within a modern society.

Material Experiments

This week I focused on experimenting with materials and coding. I played with how knots can be used in a variety of ways and how different rope affects them.

This is a sketch of knots as text. Each thread could define a set of numbers therefore representing a person. In this case, a set of students represented through their student numbers.

I also undertook a variety of studies to explain how the work could be presented. Shadows are an important element to the work as it will create an environment that will reflect the data onto individuals.

My installation could be displayed horizontally or vertically depending on site and rope. I want to experiment creating both kinds of environments to see which is most effective at communicating my concept.

I also conducted a series of material experiments in order to find out what would work best for knotting and presenting my ideas about identity and data.

This knot is called the chain sinnet. It is a decorative knot mainly used to alter  length. I like how it can increase indefinitely and reflects upon the text and forms of language I have been researching. This is my student number shown through a series of chain sinnet knots. I like the shape of this knot and feel it could produce an interesting set of shadows, however, it uses a lot of thread and is difficult to tie with larger ropes.