University Centre Folkestone

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Good intentions aside, here I am again writing a blog.

Why am i writing a blog when i have about million things to do before my final exhibition and the exam !!. Well actually I hope it will help clarify for me what is going on.

My moulds – (which is now apparently the proper English spelling, rather than Molds which is U.S.) have been on my mind. That is the new ones are growing on me. They are less perfect, rougher, smaller and a matt finish, unlike the previous shiny perfection. I think I will make more casts from them, I like the degrading of perfection. As the cast are meant to represent units within a system and systematic repetition is prone to degrading, flux and entropy, I think they will be great. I intend to use both the old and the new together along with the emergence of some coloured casts to represent emergence. I have worked out a layout I like by printing some patterns. So that’s settled.

My large spheres are pretty much finished with a new hanging system of nylon wire which is unobtrusive and will hopefully makes them appear to float. There have been some comments on how ‘peaceful the spheres are’ which was not really my intention. I don’t want to shock (so done) but I think some disturbance is needed. Slow movement would help i think, it would help with a certain planetary mass and weight. How? I would like a motor to turn them, though that maybe very difficult to achieve at this late date. Hand cranking with a Pully system on a central pivot could be an achievable alternative. Also I have made some stuff with spikes which is nicely dangerous.

Speaking of spheres, they are everywhere at the moment, I heard on the grapevine another student at Christ Church is doing some, another artist in the creative quarter has produced some. A tutor mentioned the Turner Contemporary at Margate. So I thought I would check it out as its now open. The place is full of spheres and circles. Giant circular windows are built into the architecture – georgous. One of my inspirational influences, Russell Crotty is actually exhibiting there, cool. It seems it’s all Turner’s fault and I quote ’The Sun is God’. I thought it was just me who is obsessed with round things. They have a wonderful unitary symbolism. Also think clocks (time), the round table (democratic), the hermeneutic circle, the cyclical nature of life et al.

That said I am planning the exhibition space. What to include? Mmm ? What hangs together well to create cohesion? I am considering: Breathing room, lighting and a path of viewing, possible poetry quote on the wall and some sounds music and/or the spoken word. Lots to think about…

Be back soon

Yvonne

My intention for starting this blog is to keep a record of my practice in the run-up to my final exhibition. I hope to reflect on my working practices and methodology with particular emphasis on creative problem solving. Comments are welcome as feedback is always useful.

My creative practice is inspired by the philosphical works of Martin Heidegger, specifically ‘Being and Time’. I have responded to this with an investigation into the physical and metaphysical connections between Housing and Being. Housing of the person within the body, within the community and within the earth.

These notions have manifested themselves in my work as sureal invented landscape paintings. Large spherical sculptures and small plaster casts.This work has developed from my 1st and 2nd year practice in which I was interested in the transience of nature, its mutability and potentiality. This year I have sought the interconnectedness of form in the micro/macro physicality and emergence and entropy in systems.

My artistic influences are varied and include Rachel Whiteread, Rene Magritte, Louise Bourgeois, Russell Crotty and Eva Hesse. I have a strong interest in symbolism and poetic expression.

At the moment I am in the process of completing a number of works. the question is when are they finished? When do you stop developing the idea and start cleaning up your work to a professional finish?

I think due to time pressure the answer might be now!

With my painting this will be easier than with my sculpture. I am experiencing some technical difficulties with hanging my spheres i really want a clean look that equates with their minimalist form. I am looking at various hooks and nylon line but attachment to the spheres is difficult due to the pressure of weight on a single point. Perhaps multiple attachment is required?

As for my casts a minor disaster has happened. While i was ill at home, two weeks ago my molds dissappeared. I have tried making new molds from one of the casts but the result has been strangely smaller casts from these new latex and clay molds!!! I am currently looking into shrink wrapping some casts – I shall see how this goes. As this part of my work requires multiples of the exact size, I need to get it right quickly.

In the mean time my professional practice portfolio needs more work. This is mostly written and photographic. It is concerned with the development of the work and personal professional promotion. At least I can do this at home. I need to update my website and develop promotional materials for the up-coming show. This should nottake too long as I have a background in design and printing.

As my course is a new one at U.C.F. there will only be two of us graduating this year, my friend the lovely Lola and myself. Being the only two third years on our course at this campus has had its positive and negative elements. We both have benefitted from some personal tutorials but we have had no peer group to bounce ideas off and generate energy.

I hope to add to my blog on a weekly basis which will help me review the events and developments.

A big – ‘Good Luck’ to all the other degree students in our situation. Signing off Yvonne.