Having kicked the wheat cube idea into the long grass, I’ve combined two ideas, simplifying and concentrating the installation in one failed swoop.
The (after LeWitt) cube frame was begging for a new purpose, and I needed to project my triptych video of wheat-fields at different stages of development on to something more interesting than a wall or a traditional screen.
I’d already considered projecting on to objects and layered fabrics. Researching artists who had done this in their own practice, such as Tony Oursler (who typically anthropomorphises 2D and 3D shapes) and Bill Viola (who has projected on to multiple layers of scrim). Xinran Yuan has used muslin to project on to. I was most taken with Robert Rauschenberg’s recent retrospective at the Tate Modern, which included a piece where he’d layered up screen-printed silks and scrims. There was also the amazing ‘Infinite Mix’ exhibition where Rachel Rose projected onto a screen which was in front of a window, which at times enabled the viewer to see both the cityscape and the projection.
So this week I’ve been using the cube as a body for different layers of material, here are some of my findings:-
- Veil fabric (Ivory)-
too thin, providing an ephemeral effect but insufficiently defined and a bit chintzy, with obvious wedding connotations. Up to 10 layers possible.
- Jute scrim (Natural Jute)-
too open a weave and the thread was too thick. The threads cast too darker shadows on the subsequent layers dulling the effect rapidly. The material was a natural beige colour which didn’t help, it provided an agricultural or possibly military look. Maximum of 3 layers.
- Muslin (Natural cotton)
The thread count was too high creating a dense surface which didn’t let sufficient light through. However it provided great definition. I might use this as the backing. Maximum of 2 layers, and even then the 2nd is poorly defined.
- Combination of Veil and Jute scrim
This worked ok, combining the positive effects of the two materials, however it also combine the negative effects too. And it might suggest an unwanted gender/relationship reference. Maximum of 3 layers.
- Cotton Scrim (Natural cotton)
I think this is what Viola used, it’s fine and flows beautifully. The light penetrates and enables the projection to be visible. The natural colour help with this too. Maximum of 5 layers, although 3 seemed to be the most effective, and works with my theme.
This resulted in the conclusion that the suitable material is white cotton scrim, it is also called cotton gauze and suggests a medical reference…
