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Exhibition Prep / Experimentation
In the run-up to the Degree Show Exhibition, I’m in the Shaun Project Space experimenting with how my work can look outside of a studio context.
My work, as always, is based on the idea of exploration of the situational space, and my interaction with that space. I decided to take my string installations and using plaster bandages, I created moulds/casts of the installations. This generated sculptures which gave the appearance of a sort of bone structure, the bone structure of some mythical creature, or as I interpreted it, the bone structure of the space itself. A physical representation of the room and how my interactions created a solid form.
Using these newly made sculptures, and as part of my course, I headed to the Shaun Project Space to see how these pieces would interact with each other in an exhibition context. A few different outcomes came from this experience, giving me a new look at my own work. The benefit of seeing the work outside a studio context is beyond words, it is recommended that all students and practicing artists should view and experiment with their work in an exhibition-like space, just to get an idea of how the work can evolve in a different context.
Below is a range of images showing how my work can be displayed in an exhibition format. This will probably not be how the work will be displayed come the exhibition.
Relevant Artist Research – Tomas Saraceno
Saraceno has been a constant help with my projects. 14 Billions has been the most inspirational piece I have encountered, and I’d say it’s what started my interest in Installation art. This piece encourages me to created installations which can be approached and interacted with; an art piece which focuses more on the experience, rather than the concept behind it. Saying this, 14 Billions was designed and built over years of research, however it expresses the concept upfront, allowing the viewer to indulge in the experience of the space.
End of Project Statement – ‘Press Release’
This project has been about how my work relates to the outside world, and the context with which it stands. During this project, I discovered that my work fits better in a gallery context; all white walls, big open space, large enough to walk around in and for there to be an artwork. But I also discovered that my work isn’t just about the exploration of the spatial environment, it’s also about exploring the mind, my mind, and how I see spaces and how I interact with them.
In this piece I used fishing line to create a support structure for the piece, and then laid out the string throughout the space. This created this beautiful architectural drawing within the space, among all the translucent wire. Creating landscapes within spaces is what I’m best at, and in the future I will be exploring my ‘true’ reason as to what my work is based on, the theme in other words. I shall also explore other materials and incorporate more of my imaginative landscapes within my installations.
Project Four Update
I’m still in the experimental stage playing around with materials trying to find the right balance of light and dark, and what goes with what. My tutor gave me the black vinyl material which I have then cut and hung. I’m very fond of the appearance that the tinfoil gives the wood, and how its bounces the light around. Again, this is still in the experimental stages, I really should be a bit further on with deciding on what I’m going to use, and where I’m going to set up a more permanent installation. But for the time being, progress is going well, I just need to start refining ideas and materials.
Project Four Update
I’m still continuing my exploration of the spatial environment and experimenting with different materials. I have started to use tinfoil in an effort to try and make my work represent space satellites/stations. I have always been interested in space technology and have started to use my this within my practice; exploring space in the form of technology and the spatial environment. In future installations I will be exploring this interest in space technology further by making more accurate representations of space crafts.
Project Four Update
This week I’ve have been pretty swamped with meetings lectures and a photo shoot. So the only real outcome from this week is my Shaun Space crit which I had on Thursday. Every week three students are asked to exhibit a piece/series of work within the university, to which then the whole class has a critique about the selected works. This is a great experience which my university provides, as it allows us to experiment with different display designs, and also helps to gather new ideas from fellow students.
So this week I offered to be put into the space and created the sculpture/installation you see in the images. This is a new experiment for me to try and localise the installation, keeping it tight and small. I left the crit with a collection of new ideas and focuses which I’ll be applying to my practice in the coming weeks. I’ll be experimenting with creating a standalone piece which will in turn, move my work from an installation to a sculpture. Enjoy.
Project Four Update
This week I have made a new temporary installation in my space, I am continuing to use new materials and experiment with different techniques in which to display the installation. With this installation I have used the wire to form a space/wall in which the viewer is able to walk around. I have also suspended a section of wood which is only supported by the string from the ceiling, the other end is laid on the shelf.
I have also been experimented with Photoshop with creating space-like scenes. I have worked out a simple and quick way in which to create these scenes, and I intend to improve my skills to make more detailed drawings. These drawings are being uploaded to my Redbubble account, where you can buy these drawings in various items such as t-shirts, mugs, cases, etc.
http://www.redbubble.com/people/railstonartwork/works/20789257-space-drawing
http://www.redbubble.com/people/railstonartwork/works/20801448-space-clouds
http://www.redbubble.com/people/railstonartwork/works/20808864-cosmic-colour
Beginning of Project Four!
Finished project three, so no it’s onto project four.
I’m going to be continuing from my last project which is about the exploration of space. In my feedback from my assessment, I was told to move on using and experiment with new materials and try new spaces. So I’ve started with the new materials by adding wire to the equation. This is my current temporary installation in my space; I enjoyed using the new material as its boosted my enthusiasm to make these. I aim to make a installation every week, and posting the result on Fridays.
I also made a new box which is new to the collection. I’m hoping to make a new box every two weeks, designing the box one week and making it the next. I aim to make a box which has a new way of opening, in comparison to my current collection.
Enjoy.
Project Three – Assessment Installation
So after a period of time of having no real idea of what my project is, or what I should be doing, I finally dug myself out of the hole and got this piece up in the Shaun Space. After my mid-term assessment I was left feeling unsure about my project, about what I do for art; after the Christmas break I learnt that what I do is, I show the audience my exploration of the space through the use of materials. All this time I’ve said that I like to explore the space, move through it, create something from what the space tells me; yes, that is what I do, but the installation is a direct message to the audience of the journey I have made within the space.
The Ideas which come and go are a feature within the work, certain aspects of the piece are made from plans or ‘try-outs’ to see how I can explore the space. So after not really having much of an idea of what to do or where to go, I will be following my instincts, and let the space tell me what to do. I will be creating more work in a similar fashion, and by that I mean, something that is different every time, not a the same work I made 3 years ago.
Project Three – Installation #2
After taking down a previous installation, I decided to have a play around with some of the materials in my space. I removed the metal poles from the ground, and made it a challenge to not have much, if anything touching the floor. Once some time had passed, and a handful of playing had been done, I stumbled across the installation you see now. I quite enjoy the simplicity of this installation in comparison to my other simplistic designs.
In comparison to my installation that was geometric, I prefer this one as it contains different features, and isn’t really predicable like the geometric design. The main feature I enjoy about this particular design is the way the metal poles are displayed. The somewhat unique and new installation of the poles creates a different affect within the piece. And even though this design has some geometric relevance, I overlook it with this new ‘play’ of the materials.
As always, here are some images of the installation. Enjoy.
Project Three – Installation #1
With this installation I decided to take a more geometric look at things. I wanted to try and make this installation look like a drawing you would make while bored in a Maths class. Initially, it went well, but as I make more and more I noticed that I started to dislike it more and more. After its completion, I took the time to observe its shape and form, and give it time to digest in my mind. I still came to the decision that I don’t like this method of working. So when I go on to make the next installation, I will be going back to similar methods I have used in the past.
Below are the images of this installation. Enjoy.
Project Critique – Temporary Installation
This week I was asked to set up and display the work I have made in my project thus far. Every week three students are asked to display their work in the Shaun Project Space, and then the remainder of the class makes comments about the work and gives constructive information to help along the students project. As I have been asked this week, I decided to produce a temporary installation for my critique.
I will be posting a separate post to inform you of my current project and how I am progressing, but for the time being, here is what this installation entails. Withing the installation are 3D prints I have made by scanning fellow students, along with a few new boxes I have produced over the past month. Normally, my installations main focus/motif is the string which overruns the space; with this piece I decided to have a bit of change and use some new elements and methods to see how they played out. I believe that with the introduction of these new elements, I didn’t need a dense structure of string, so I’ve left the installation open so the viewer can see all of the features.
I have included a video which is linked to my art YouTube account. The video is a 6 minute time lapse of the set-up of this installation.
Below are images from the installation. Enjoy.
Project Two – Final Piece
Hi everyone! This is my final piece and also my exhibition piece for Project Two. Unfortunately the exhibit has been and gone, but here are some photo’s of my piece at the exhibit. I will be posting a full catalog of the exhibit later on.
This project has evolved over time from wanting to create my own imaginary world, to wanting to explore space through interactivity. This project is a continuation from project one, and has become something else in its own rights. I had a lot of fun during this project and I’m so happy from the outcome. I can’t wait for my second year at university where I’ll have even more freedom to make what I want.
As always, I hope you enjoy.
Project Two – Installation #3
Hi everyone! This is the third installation for this particular project.
I have placed hooks within my space to create permanent fixtures to design installations; once made and documented, the installation is removed from the space and the fixtures are used for another installation/design. This is the third installation in this space, so I decided to be a bit more adventurous. I used the same method as I did in the first installation by just going for broke and letting the installation tell me where to go. But with this one I made a path way for the viewer to walk through the installation. Allowing the viewer to experience the installation from new perspectives and angles.
This project (Project Two) was carried forward from Project One. The idea being about creating a space/environment of my own imagination/creation, this then lead to wanting to explore space and involve interactivity. Project Two is now lead by the desire to create an interactive installation which explores its environment and develops its own world/space, allowing the viewer to walk through and experience the space thus interacting with it.
These are some of my documentation of the installation.
As always, I hope you enjoy.
Project Two – Installation #2
Hi everyone! This is the second installation for this particular project. I have placed hooks within my space to create permanent fixtures to design installations; once made and documented, the installation is removed from the space and the fixtures are used for another installation/design. For this being the second installation within this space; there was a thought process used to design this installation; the same process of exploring the space was used, but I also worked from the wall space into the center space. This was to avoid having to climb around through the web as the web would always be worked on by the front.
This project (Project Two) was carried forward from Project One. The idea being about creating a space/environment of my own imagination/creation, this then lead to wanting to explore space and involve interactivity. Project Two is now lead by the desire to create an interactive installation which explores its environment and develops its own world/space, allowing the viewer to walk through and experience the space thus interacting with it.
These are some of my documentation of the installation.
As always, I hope you enjoy.
Railston Artworks 