Artist - Shellie Holden - Maps

Ordnance survey England, Kingsbridge and District (third edition) sheet 150, 1908-9 - updated in London 2006

I was researching paper as a material/object that is still widely used today centuries after its invention and came across the artist Shellie Holden who works primarily with paper in a variety of ways.

One of her most interesting projects is where she works with maps. Using thread she recreates the intricately woven tributaries of roads that snake across the surface. As the loosely woven thread becomes tangled it hepls to depict the confusing network of pathways that lace our towns and cities. She highlights too the importance of maps as a tool for navigation. The moment that the thread of roads becomes unpicked and unfastened we are lost, accuracy is key to finding our way. The patience and skill needed in cartography is therefore illuminated.

www.studiospool.com/index.html

Press clipping from the exhibition.

The Exhibition

Final Piece Ideas

Ideas

Here are a selection of initial ideas for final pieces. We have a diverse range of objects in focus from quilts, babushka dolls and kitchen utensils to perfume bottles and keys. Some really interesting connotations are appearing through their independent research such as a history of quilts and toys as well as the ancient yet still culturally relevant uses for objects such as cutlery.

Artist Research

Research

For homework students were asked to research an artist who has used symbolism in their work and produce a visual reaction in response.

Here are some fantastic examples of how artist's work can influence our choice of techniques and style. We have Antony Gormley's metalic figurative sculptures whose abstract formations evoke an emotive response. Whilst Kader Attia's use of aluminum foil to wrap her figures portray an image of preservation.

Work So Far...

Object research

Here we can see the beginning of our object exploration.
This work is the result of a classroom treasure hunt as well as research homework. What we see is a visual brainstorm of the objects and their connotations.

Things to ponder...

"With the development of science and explanation came a loss of wonder as Keats wote on Newton,
"unweaving the rainbow"

Results of the Lemelson-MIT Survey 2003:

"Teens are inspired to invent but seek encouragement from elders.
The survey also revealed that teen creativity leads to inventive ideas. In fact, more than a third of all teens (36%) reported having a great idea for a unique invention. When asked what would motivate them to take the next step in developing ideas for a unique invention, nearly half (43%) of the teens surveyed agreed that encouragement form parents of teachers is the key."

Artist to look at - Chiharu Shiota

Installation

Artists to look at - A.J. Linter - Collage

A.J. Linter - 1935-2007 - Hamburger, Junctions


Collage often involves the extraction of imagery from its original source and re-placing it within a new context so as to manipulate and accentuate it's meaning. In Linter's work what we see is a collection of images brought together by association. By simply arranging images, next to, on top of, around he instantly creates a constellation of visual signs resulting in an overall theme. What the viewer sees is a blended mirage of layers and meaning.

By comparing both Hamburger and Junctions what we can see in both is a sort of case study, as if by looking at these pieces we can gleam an insight into American/ Modern culture. Linter works with the subject's form in order to accentuate the subject's role and function. His patterns and textures take our eyes on an meandering journey, absorbing his carefully selected clues so as to build up an overall impression. In Junctions our eye travels along a confusing path with no end; a representation of the vast and intricately woven network of roads that serve to bring places closer together. At the same time the chaotically arranged junctions spiral into an unnerving maize much like when one takes that fateful wrong turn. On one hand Linter manages to evoke the relentless pace of modern life owing much to the invention of the road, on the other, this web of pathways bridging gaps between countries and communities.

Linter has formed a visual fingerprint of American culture in his piece, Hamburger. Fast food, Disney cartoon and political references litter the space, immediately evoking the associations now inherant to these institutionally recognised icons. By choosing your images carefully you can insert and provoke meaning just by association. For instance, by placing the American flag next to a McDonalds sign our brain assumes it is a comment on American eating habits, whereas if you were to replace the Amercian flag with an image of organic vegetables our brain would forge a debate between healthy and unhealthy food. We just have to look at the world of branding and advertising to know that images play an essential role in consumerist society, subliminally and on the surface. By juxtaposing and blurring pictures you can create impact without words.


Visit: www.ajlinter.com

Artist to look at - Annette Messeger

Mixed Media