A lot of discussion around the context of this work started our first session together, examining the symbolism of the ‘house’ motif and the importance of location. The work leading up to this project is rooted in a fascination in derelict or no longer existent building structures, specifically at a site called Brindley Village on Cannock Chase (more here: https://circleobsessed.wordpress.com/the-brindley-village-project/)
Having made some inroads to discuss the possibilities of making work about this site, I came up against interesting boundaries in the replies that I received. Work that is left without ‘permission’ is considered to be ‘vandalism’ by the owners of the land, plus there are also considerations to the choice of media if making public art that will be interacted with by the public in a non-controlled manner. So these factors may steer the type of media that this set of work uses, and is why I am interested in how temporary pieces using light projection may be a way forward.
Initially our session looked at the Equil Smartpen and the potential to use this to make marks that can be projected as well as drawn in a tactile and traditional manner. The decision has been made that I will purchase one of these for myself to develop the ‘drawing’ potential in coming months. The main thing that I found interesting about using the pen was the way that the marks on the screen are different from the actual drawing, depending which tool is selected.
Bo and I also experimented with a couple of apps to try to combine the linear marks from the initial models into the ‘house’ sketch.
Our next point was to talk about materials and the way forward with combining what we make as ‘models for projection’ with using light to create imagery. What I like about the acetate buildings is the form created by the shadow of the acetate. We discussed how to make a grid format that is semi-translucent in a variety of materials: 3d printed, fabric, leaves, wire, resin, paper.
The next steps before we meet again will be to make a set of ‘models for projection’ that will be placed at the site location as a trial. I have identified a set of post-holes where the original buildings stood to use as our first ‘place’. What is important is how these structures will interact with light/ projection and also how they can be semi-transparent and therefore disguised in their setting in some way.
I have started to examine how the app ‘Foldify’ can enable visualisation of ideas; it is possible to print the flat net and fold it to create a ‘house’ model. In the first experiments I am using the shadow photographs from my acetate models to see how I can change their form by making the flat image three-dimensional. More to follow in the next blog post!
