Hello!

This blog is for my pre- degree.  It will be a journal of my journey through the many projects I have to complete. Please feel free to meander through my posts.

Mural for Fareham Car Park

 

 

Brief 

A multi storey car park has recently been built and the space for the mural is situated on a large wall viwed by the car park users on their way out.  We were asked by Fareham Borough Council to produce a mural that would be ' pleasing to the eye' so that drivers should feel a sense of contentment and well being.

 

Having recently tried the use of inks, bleach and water, I decided to use this media to produce an example of mural design.  I originally created a piece about Fareham and what I liked about the town.  I had included the gravel from the creek and the creek itself as well as the hills surrounding Fareham which are the first sight as you approach Fareham from the motorway.
I chose three specific things that I like about Fareham.  The hills surrounding the town which are particularly noticeable from the motorway, the creek and the gravel business situated by the creek.

 

 

 

 

 

However, I was able to show my design to the judge during a preliminary viewing and although my design was appreciated, the judge felt that my design did not exhude a sense of well being.  I agreed and decided to create a brighter and less dramatic design.

To this effect, I created a new painting based still on what I like in Fareham. I treated this work more like a frieze; using colours which are brighter and more restful at the same time, which I believe will give a feeling of well being. I painted some sailing boats going in different directions thus giving a feeling of movement.

 

 Evaluation

Although the outcome was disappointing as I was not chosen, I learned a lot from the experience.  I can safely say that myself amongst several in my class had the same initial reaction: 'Well I am not doing it again'.
By next morning having got over the bruised ego, I decided to give it another try as it is fair to say that I did not answer to the requirements of the brief. 

 

 



Fac Fest

Facfest

Flights of fright


Introduction:

When told about our first project, I was asked what horror meant to me. Moths immediately came to my mind. I loathe these, and have a real fear of them. Donna my team mate in this project had a similar aversion to spiders.
Having an understanding of each other’s fear for an insect led to a quick agreement that our project would be based on the creation of a sensorial experience. Being almost deprived of sight would enhance the senses of feel, touch and hearing also.
On the first day of this project, we spent some time discussing various ideas (see mapping). By the next day, upon reflection, we agreed that dealing with one insect would be better. The concept of making a tunnel and getting people to walk through a darkened narrow space would make it a sensorial experience. The spider was chosen as it would be a more practical subject. I suggested about making a recording of insects to add to the experience. Donna agreed and produced a superb compilation of recordings by the following day. She also provided a bass amplifier and made a tray with iron fillings. She explained about Kinetic art. When playing the compilation, through the bass, the iron filings moved to form spikes reminiscent of spider legs. I knew little of Kinetic art and did some research.
We agreed on the idea of producing the body and legs of a giant spider as well as filling the space with fake cobwebs and small spider like objects hanging from the ceiling. The intent is to produce a small intimate space where the senses are challenged and the person experiencing this should feel repelled and hopefully afraid to some extent.

Execution:

 Health and Safety:

 

 

 

 

Having chosen a space within our classroom, we looked at the Health and Safety aspect of our project.  We decided to use boards to enclose the space at one end and asked the technician John to come up with a solution, thus ensuring that the outer shell of our tunnel would be stable and static.  Another concern was the entrance which is situated beneath a staircase.  We agreed to wrap the slopping stairs with foam and also put a warning sign.  We found a heavy plinth which would support the bass safely. An arrow showing the way out painted in fluorescent paint and an exit sign would also be hung so that people would know where to go.  We decided also to use foam blocks placed against one side of the tunnel to guide people towards the exit.  Both the body and the legs which were made of chicken wire were checked for small wire ends sticking out.

 

 

Creation:

We decided to make the body of the giant spider out of chicken wire covered with Mod Roc. The texture of the body would need to be slightly sticky and hairy.  We practiced with a variety of materials, and wool.  Rolling small shreds with PVA into points (see pictures).

 

 

 

 

We originally decided to make armatures for the legs out of wire linked with rings half way down to make them more realistic. However, when searching for materials, we came across some willow sticks which were flexible but with enough resistance to get back into place when we pushed past them in situ. These were placed inside foam and rolled into a tube of chicken wire for the upper arms (30cm) then the rest of the willow (approx 90 cm) was wrapped with a woolly , lose threaded band of material (see pictures).

 

Extract from my sketchbook

 

 

 

 

 Outcome:

The end product was good as we concentrated on the sensorial effect of our piece and spent the time on producing a feel of a spider’s body as well as  ensuring that the environment was safe but oppressive and very dark.  The recording worked really well with the tactile aspect of our piece.  The loud skittering of spiders walking, and the heavy sound of a moth’s wings fluttering across the small space emphasized the phobic atmosphere. 

We received a very positive feedback from all the people who agreed to go through the tunnel.  The combined effect of sound, cobweb, and spider’s body as well as the restricted amount of space resulted in most in a feeling of repulsion and definitely horror to some extent.  

Everyone got a thrill and although repelled, enjoyed the experience

                                                       View of inside of space

 

                                     View of exit of space

Evaluation:                      

 

I enjoyed the challenge of creating something with Donna.  We did not know each other at all and both of us kept making sure that we were acting as equal.  Both of us were keen not to take the lead as we viewed ourselves as a team.  This worked well and the experience was a positive one.  With insight, we should have thought a little more about the possible amount of time it would take us to complete the project and compare this with the amount of time we had to spend on it.  So, a little midnight oil was burnt!

The project enabled us to get to know our department.  John the technician helped and guided us through the making of a safe environment by fixing the panels to enclose the space.  Steve from the photography department helped us taking some pictures of the material used.  Both Donna and myself were very thorough when considering the health and safety aspect of the project, by discussing each step of the making of the spider and testing all parts to make sure there was no sharp parts anywhere.  The wiring of the Kinetic piece was taped away from possible contact and did not obstruct the passage way.

The research for this project has helped me understand Conceptual art.  I have discovered new artists and although I still have strong reservation about some of the artists from the Britart movement, I came to appreciate what the Chapmans brothers do.  I also gained more in depth knowledge of a few of the many movements from the 20^th century.  It has opened a new door for me and I am keen to carry on investigating.