I’m inclined to believe that it’s difficult to create a ‘whole’ project without there being a series of judgements of all the ‘parts’ along the way; that is, if you’re seen to be making it.
I’m not a big fan of these early judgements, as I prefer to enjoy the moment of finally unveiling my large and suitably ‘deep’ artistic meanderings as-and-when they’re ready to be seen. That, my friends, is a result of being a ‘mature student’. Years of being shut away prior to this, making art without being judged.
My creative process has always been unpredictable, even for me. I have always enjoyed the knowledge that I don’t know where I’m going. It’s how I like to lead my life. It’s an adventure.
So, when I say that I may well destroy everything and present you all with a very big nothing … well … it’s certainly possible.
My current thinking has reminded me of the work of Arman – who would burn objects like chairs, violins etc. and then cast their remnants in bronze. My Dissertation focused on Chance as Art – and I have long believed that the natural elements can be an exciting ingredient in the process of making art, and in doing so introduce chance.
Fire can and does destroy. By this destruction, it also creates something new. Mankind has long tried to contol fire, with limited success. I am experimenting with the use of fire to impact-upon my final artworks. Whether/how much I control the fire is a major part of my activities at present.
I shall explain more about this in subsequent posts – and more about how Arman first influenced me, and still does today.
In year 1 of this Degree, I undertook a project which studied the work of a contemporary painter, Fabian Marcaccio – again, an artist who works with destruction, up to a point. I am happy to say that whilst it may sometimes seem that I do occasional ‘pretty paintings’, it is far from my make-up to do that, and it is near to my thinking to see them go …
