Mid Point Review

‘Sky series (Froe)’ 2012. Mixed media on foam, acrylic on wood

 This specific piece is part of a series of experimental set ups I am constructing in an attempt to investigate my curiosity of the interplay between image, material and object.

 I have deliberately selected an image which is not figurative, unlike the majority of my previous works. I wanted to see how choosing a conventionally generic image could still present us with this notion of event and place. Emptying out the nostalgia and drawing upon the act of displacement.

 Using the combination of the photographic imagery on the foam with the pieces of painted wood imposes an allowance for dialogue. I am looking at how these objects inform the visual and our perception of the image. Exploring this idea of the interference of image making which consequently affects the photographic truth of the imagery.

 I have integrated objects which may seem quite random in order to question the distinction between what is real and what is not? What changes it from the familiar to the real? Fictionalising the image as a ‘reconstructed reality’.

Susan Hiller in Conversation

Artist Susan Hiller talks about how in her practice, she follows the initial given material - text and image. Playing with the truth of materials, demonstrated in 'Dedicated to the Unknown Artist', Hiller's postcard series which she refers to as minature artworks by anonymous people.

Hiller is interested in the notion of the unconcious - dreams for an example and the static view. She started using imagery from the internet, giving a 'history' to images. "People arent aware of where the visual language is coming from".

Taking a subjective experience and containting this without making a spectacle. She is drawing upon one aspect of displacement.

Rebecca Fortnum Tutorial

During my one on one with Jessica we briefly went over my project proposal feedback, clarifying certain points within the proposal and realising which parts could be expanded. Articulating the works subject matter more clearly. We then discussed the video piece which I put in the Gasworks exhibition – If I felt it worked/why? Reasons for specific choices such as the editing. Whether I will continue to use video within my work and how this could be done. The discussion then progressed to thoughts about my current work. How I could develop with regards to use of the same medium, however the possibility of incorporating objects – directly referencing the scenes within the imagery and being quite literal. We also talked about the imagery itself and what happens once it is printed – this idea of fictionalising the image. How do people know that this is real? Transferring it onto the foam almost acts as a ‘blurring’.

Further to this tutorial, I now intend to:

•  Further research artist Tacita Dean – her use of 35mm film. Looking at the ways in which she films people – day to day routine, the ordinary. With specific attention to the aspect of time within these pieces and then thinking about how I can perhaps adapt a similar approach to my own work. Contact Frith Street Gallery and see if they are able to supply any video footage or direct me to somewhere I can view this

• Experiment with video – attempting to capture a similar imagery to what is presented within my photographs. Expanding on this idea of place/event/situation. 

• I will also be looking further into the aspect of how my work is encountered. Not only its physicality but its truth - If we view a programme that is scripted our reaction and involvement will be completely different to something that we know is fact such as a documentary. How can I produce work which people will believe or even relate to as opposed to resembling something that is set up?