Antony Gormley

Antony Gormley’s ‘Blind Light’ was an exhibition I saw in 2007. This large scale installation addresses the fundamental questions of ‘body and space, appearance and disappearance, transformation and transcendence’. I love the idea of the unknown, bringing the audience outside of their comfort zone using the body’s senses.   

Louise Bourgeois

Louise Bourgeois has made a variety of sculptures made from plaster and latex which have inspired my performance piece. ‘The Destruction of my Father’ (1974), is a representation of a family dinner table, exploring the power of dominance of a father and his offspring. It is a flesh toned installation in a womb-like room and through her materiality and atmosphere creates a powerful and uncomfortable piece. I like the distorted shapes created and how her pieces enclose and engulf the body. I feel that claustrophobia is something that is a strong quality in her work.

I have been experimenting with different materials to use for my performance piece. (Above) I used silicon, mixed with a catalyst and a non drip bond. However, this process was not so successful, it had left a lumpy distorted mould and wasn't air tight, which is what I needed my mould to be (it also smelt of vomit which wasn't the nicest smell to have lingering in my room)

I made several experimental clay heads, ranging in sizes and then coated them in latex. This outcome was more successful, and I had already tried and tested 0.5mm sheet latex which I will be using for my latex suit, so there was more of a consistency of materials.

Big dreams, Gangster

Beneath Dignity - Stuart Brisley

'Beneath Dignity, Bregenz' was a photographic exhibition I saw today at the Tate Britain. I take for granted this gallery as its neighbouring my university, however in my lunch break from the workshop today I went and had a look at the contemporary collection on display. The work of Stuart Brisley is partof his 1970's collection and is a performance art piece based in Bregenz, (Which is what I have just found out to be the capital of Vorarlberg - the second smallest state of Austria).

He made 5 wooden frames which were roughly the size of his body, and uses a combination of chalk, flour, water and paint as materials. His inspirations were based on hearing miners discussing the 'constrictions imposed on the body in mining the narrow seems of coal'. However he states his work is not about mining and the title clues the subject of his work.

I really like the mapping of this performance, not only does his body perform as art, but it also creates. It is photographed beautifully, the black and white contrasts put an emphasis on the movement his body creates, rather than himself.

11.11.11

Making the intangible tangible

Our current project brief for platform 4 is 'making the intangible tangible'. In the last few weeks I have focused on Claustrophobia (Which is how my chosen space made me feel).

I have been struggling with a conversational device piece but this week have found my way! Looking at a variety of aspects concerning claustrophobia. The senses that affect this tangible quality; sight, sound, taste and smell. But something that I have found really interesting is the subject of breathing. The fear of not being able to escape and the lack of oxygen. I drawn and planned out my device, but am currently in the workshop putting it all together. I have made a small head model which I have conducted a few tests on. Looking at different materials I could use and how it can work. This short video is REALLY experimental. Its mostly just research documentation but I thought I would put it up anyway!

(also thank you Kirby for taking off her makeup, taking all her piercings out and almost passing out from breathing so much)