Locating- Lasercutting Ply Wood

After my initial wood samples in MDF, I decided to cut similar shapes in ply wood as it is a far more environmentally friendly material. The detail of the grain of the wood complements the organic outline of the components and the lighter shade of the wood enables more colours and threads to used alongside the ply wood. I also added small holes to be able to sew into and add embellishment to the surface.

Once the pieces of ply wood were cut I experimented with different methods of protecting the wood and giving the wood a more finished and professional look. I applied varying amount of layers of a clear sating vanish, which enhances the colour and brings out the grain line of the wood further. I also tested out samples with beeswax which was not as successful  when applied to the surface it became slightly greasy and rough. with my samples from now on I will apply a few layers of varnish to protect the wood.

Below are my samples once they have been stitch into with varying threads. I like how the embellishment on the edges softens the feel of the wood as well as giving the wood a interesting texture and surface.  I also painted the wood with watered down acrylic which changes the look of the wood completely and takes away the grain and detail of the wood. I am not sure which one I prefer, but will experiment with different methods of displaying the components and see which layout works best.

Locating- Displaying My Work

Although I initially anticipated my piece to be a hanging installation, after a discussion in a tutorial it became apparent that perhaps this was not the most suitable method of displaying my work. From my drawings and sampling there was nothing that was indicating at the piece being a hung piece of work. I decided that perhaps the most suitable method would be to install the piece as a wall based installation, in which there are many possibilities for it to be hung in the building.  Furthermore, I have also moved on from the idea of taking the thread off the surface. Although this was originally an idea, my sampling has proved more successful where I have used a surface that is not always associated with embroidery, such as paper, wood and plastic. I have enjoyed experimenting with these materials and there is a strong connection with the hard and the soft.
Below is a visualisation of how I originally envisaged the piece to look when hung in the atrium. 

Locating- Coralie Bonnet

I have been looking at artists who combine textiles and wood and I discovered the work of Coralie Bonnet. She stitches into a variety of surfaces including ceramic and wood using a range of stitches. I like how she transforms a flat surface into something that is far more textural and tactile. I also like the repetition used as it brings the piece together.

 

Locating- Lasercutting

From my drawings the edges were standing out to me and it was suggested to me in a tutorial that I  lasercut my designs onto a surface. After working out how to transfer my design onto Illustrator and then Corel Draw I cut the designs into wood, acrylic and  fabric. The acrylic and fabric designs were not as succesful, the cotton fabric did not give enough definition of the outer edge and appeared like a camouflage design. The acrylic was more successful but still did not achieve the look I was after, it was too clean and flat. However the wood was more successful,  I particular liked the burnt effect produced on the edge, which starts to give the impression of a softer finish to the edges as seen in my drawings. I also like the weight and the thickness as it was light enough to be able to hang well. I used MDF as it was the cheapest wood based material to sample with, but I would like to experiment with Ply wood as this is more environmentally friendly as well as having a interesting grain to it. I would also like to add colour to my samples, either in the form of staining the wood or adding embellishment to the surface. By layering the components more depth and interest is created as well as starting to resemble contours of a map.

I started to wrap pieces in thread, I would like to take this idea further of mixing the soft and the hard and adding to the surface. This idea responds to the Geoffrey Manton brief and the ideas I'm following in that I'm impacting on the surface through my actions, just as we as humans are impacting on the earth through our own control and action.  

After lasercutting the wood, I decided to sample with some acrylic and I thought that a combination of the hard and soft materials could work well. However I did not like the results that came out. The acrylic look too clean cut and there was so hint of softening at the edges as on the wood with the slight burn. It would need a very strong and striking backdrop to sit against too when hung, which is not provided in Gerofrey Manton in terms of pattern or colour.  I also cut some samples in felt, but the felt was not thick enough and therefore the components were not as sturdy. The line in the felt was also not as defined as the acrylic or the wood and this is an element that I am keen to maintain for the final piece. 

Locating- Drawings

My samples were not going the way I hoped so I decided to do some more research into the devastating effect the planet is currently suffering. The population currently stands at 7 billion and this has grown at a staggeringly fast paced over the past 40 years. In 1960 the population stood at just 3 billion and currently 82 million babies are born every year. As a result of this rapid population growth the planet and its natural environment are suffering. Oil spills are happening more frequently and affecting the surrounding coastline and sea life. In 2010 there was a huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that caused great controversy as it was thought that the actual effects were covered up by the oil companies and the press.

I went back to Daniel Beltras images of humans effect on the planet to do some more drawings. Here are the results, I particular like the edges of the drawings, the layering of the lines and the dark colours mixed with a splash of orange/yellow. 

Locating- Taking the thread off the surface

I have started to experiment with the idea of taking the thread off the surface. Inspired by Christo and Jean Claude’s work involving wrapping, I have wrapped a variety of wires and wooden poles as a basis for the work. Although I like the effect on a small scale, I think that when put in the large open space of Geoffrey Manton it would become lost as it is too thin and delicate. 

 The wrapped wooden sticks are too straight and allow no flexibilty or movement.

By wrapping aluminium more flexibility is created, but still the wire is too thin for the building

I created a grid using pins to wrap thread around, but the pins were too delicate with the design being too structured and the thread easily became loose

Locating- Christo and Jeanne-Claude

I have looked at the work of Christo and Jeanne-Claude as the scale of their work varies dramatically. Although the final pieces of their work are on a huge scale, their preparatory studies which they then sell to fund the larger projects are on a far smaller scale, such as drawings and layout plans. This variety of scale is something I need to pay attention to as the Geoffrey Manton building is on a large scale but I will have to scale down my ideas for the Urban Outfitters brief. I like the idea of using my  samples as a finish piece, which in effect is what Christo and Jeanne-Claude do.

 Drawing and plans of how their envisage the 'Surrounded Islands' project to look like.

  Final outcome of 'Surrounded Islands' project in Miami where 11 islands were surrounded by pink floating woven polypropylene fabric. 

Locating- Geoffrey Manton

For the commission we have been asked to base our work on how the Humanities disciplines contribute to the world in the 21st century, I have decided to look at the idea of humanities within the global context and the effect it has upon the human condition. Within the building a large range of subjects are studied, including Languages, Philosophy, Sociology and History. Through studying in the faculty one can learn how different cultures and communities work and how they reflect themselves. Through my work, I intend to to communicate my ideas about the ever changing world.

I visited the Geofrey Manton building on the MMU campus. Although I have regularly visited this building for lectures and seminars I have never taken in the space of the building. It is a large building with some interesting areas and spaces to design a piece of work. From my initial ideas and drawings the idea of hanging or floating in space made the stairwell seem appropriate as there is space between each level on the stairwell. Another posibility is to hang my work from the roof or from one side of the balcony to the other across the atrium.

                                                               

Locating- Artist Inspiration

I am working with the idea of designing a piece that will be interiors based. I want to carry on my ideas from the last project but take these further, by finding a way to take thread off a surface.I have looked at artists whose work is focused on thread and how it can be manipulated and translated. Thread is material that everyone can relate to but when put in these contexts in completely changes what most people see thread as, a practical material. The artists are also showing their work in interiors, either in a public space or a gallery. 

Gabriel Dawes is a Mexican artist who creates large scale thread installations and challenges the perceptions of gender roles. A a child he was forbidden to explore the medium of textiles and embroidery. The large scale and geometric outcome of his pieces almost make it appear as though it is not thread he is using but rather 'drawing in the air'. The idea of a what is a line and how can in be shown is space is something I will explore further. 

Amanda McCavour- By using dissolvable fabric a very delicate and translucent surface is created. I like how by using multiples of the same organic shape will create a far more interesting and dramatic piece. The idea of starting with one and using it in multiples to create a larger piece is something that I would like to explore. 

Anne Lindberg thread sculptures redefine the spaces in which they are installed. The space and the architecture plays a large part in the process of creating the pieces. I will need to pay specific attention to the space inside Geoffrey Manton as it is a site specific brief. 

Locating- Inspiration

From the live project options for the Locating unit, I have initially decided to work on the proposal for the Geoffrey Manton building and the proposal for Urban Outfitters on Market Street.  Although very different in terms of scale this will challenge me to think about my work on varying scales and how to fit an idea into a range of spaces.

I have started to base my ideas upon ideas relating to the outlined brief for the Geoffrey Manton commission by relating my ideas to Humanities.  Although only a very vague starting point I am looking at how humans have impacted our plant and what effects it is having on the earth, such as oil spills, deforestation and melting ice caps. 

I found the images of photographer Daniel Beltra incredible. The colours,shape and lines that he captures transforms what is initially a hazard on the environment into a beautiful image in itself. 

http://www.danielbeltra.com/