Final poster

I finished my poster that I created using Adobe illustrator, Photoshop and design. I'm not entirely pleased with the poster but considering I have only used Photoshop before I am happy with the skills learnt. With more experience, I will hopefully be able to improve my skills and create greater work. I was never interested in graphics but after making the poster, I am looking forward to developing my work.

Poster design

Using adobe illustrator, design and Photoshop, we began to create posters using the recurring theme of memories. Using a photo from my 18th birthday, I started to edit using Photoshop. My goal was to remove all background so it would be able to place on another background without leftover marks or colours. To do this, I used the pen tool to outline the background and deleted the highlighted section. Then,using design made a gradient background. Despite not being finished, I am pleased with the current outcome and have discovered a set of new skills from the adobe programmes, which has provided me with an insight into graphic design.

Tate Modern review

The name of this exhibition was ‘Energy and process’ at the Tate Modern in London. The photographer shown in the exhibition that caught my attention is William Eggleston. His work displays a theme of abandonment as he captures empty towns or of a few people. The photographs are not laid out chronologically but instead create an atmosphere of still time as little life is displayed. His work focuses more on the colours of nature and man-made creations: such as cars and diners. Despite my understanding of America being a huge country of life, his attention of the opposite has focused my attention on the scenery. 

 Figure 1                                                                           Figure 2

By including bold colours (seen from the buildings and blue skies) the photos become interesting without any human life. Even when there are people, a lack of enthusiasm can be seen and by doing this, we focus more on the surroundings and why they appear this way. The colours act as signs: directing you to the less obvious aspects used in photography. Even though he takes photos of an aging gas station, it becomes fascinating due to the areas around it.

I found his work enjoyable to observe because of my interest with stereotyped places. To many people, America is the ‘model’ for grand shots that display cities and striking imagery of mountains and lakes, but to explore the world of lifeless shops and roads provides further knowledge into the lives of real people.  Another photographer that does this is Dan Martensen. Like Eggleston, he captured an empty diner but the inclusion of red, allowed the photos to have excitement in them. 
 

 

                     Figure 4 (Martensen)






Figure 3 (Eggleston)

                                     Figure 5 
I would've preferred to see a variation of styles such as black and white photos or displaying a darker understanding to desolated towns. This is like Matthew Christopher who takes photographs of abandoned places in America. The dark lighting in his photographs allow people to understand the negativity of the situation. If there was a mixture of both brightly coloured photos and dull, a different perspective would've been created.

 My favourite photograph is the one of the gas station. I think the colours really stand out due to their similarities. The blues and reds contrast but let the photograph include life as when compared to the rest of the scene, they appear to be the only lively things involved. The little life allows for the image to be isolated but cheerful. 

  
                                                                                                                                                                    Figure 6

Overall I really liked the exhibition as It let me see into America from different situations. The attention to loneliness focused me point of view to the colours and nature. Unlike many photos that include grand nature, these images do not need this to be fantastic photographs. 

Bibliography
Figure 1. Energy and process, 1976. William Eggleston.
Figure 2. Energy and process, 1970-1973. William Eggleston.
Figure 3. Energy and process. William Eggleston.
Figure 4. www.danmartensen.com
Figure 5. www.abadondedamerica.us/northeast
Figure 6. Energy and process, 1970-1976. William Eggleston.

Final result

(authors own)

Here is my favourite photo from the shoot. I like this because of the blurred effect surrounding the shoe: this allows for the shoe itself to be more focused and attracts attention. I also removed a lot of the colour in hope that due to the boldness of the pyramids, they would stand out the most. Although I was concerned that the shoe wouldn’t result in good photographs, I like this as I think the shoe gains attention and contrasts the usual setting.

Fashion

During the fashion and textiles week, an introduction to design and creating clothes or accessories happened. Considering I am aiming to chose the fashion and textiles pathway I was looking forward to the aspects that are included in the subject. To begin with, we each made small paper creations: I created a butterfly, present, 'fortune teller', plait and I glued folded paper together.   

 Image 2.           Image 3. 

Image 1.
Using them as our inspiration we then moved to making clothes (especially dresses). 

However, the first lesson was interesting as although we created clothes, it was in a way that I have never done before: instead of using fabric, we used paper. Using a mix of white and brown paper unusual and creative pieces were formed. The sturdy and strong materials allowed for the outfits to be folded, pleated and crushed and this resulted in creative pieces that contrasted normal fashion.                                                                                                                                                             

                 Image 4. 

                                                       Image 5. 
                                                     Group design

Image 6.  

Romantic 

To the left (image 7) is a painting by Pierre Carrier Belleuse (1896) and the right (image 8) is a drawing from 1830. These are from the period of romanticism. I wanted to created an item of clothing that contrasted the others and look feminine. By using white I think this also stood out again the brown paper and appears less harsh and this is a key element of what we wanted to achieve.

                                           

Image 9. 
Shoulders

Image 10.   
Hips

         

Image 11.
Gothic

Image 12.
Gothic

                                                          Image 13. 
This is by Elsa Schiaparelli. The inclusion of bones creates a creepy appearance as they appear somewhat inhuman. The dark colour allows the outfit to become negative as well. We decided to make the paper become the back of the piece as it resembled a spine. The use of the spine in both adds a gothic style which is strange but different from most everyday fashion.

The second day involved more design aspects as we used the paper creations from the first day and created fashion designs. Like the previous activity, this was something I have never done before. I found it developed my making skills as I explored completely different ideas but by just using paper improved my abilities using various materials too. I used the small paper shapes as inspiration again and by doing this, my ideas on fashion design improved as I explored different styles and shapes.

    

Image 14 (top left)
Image 15 (top right)
Image 16 (bottom  left)
Image 17 (bottom right)


On day three, I decided to create a shoe made out of paper but still including the creations made throughout the week. I used paper mache and covered a high heeled shoe and chose to decorate the hill in different sized pyramids. I hoped to create a layered effect but contrasted the simplicity of the white coloured shoe. I hoped that the use of colour would do this as well. I didn't want there too be too many bold spikes as It would ruin the flow of the white shoe and the pyramids. 

 

Image 18. (Top left)                                                         
Image 19. (Top middle)
 Image 20. (Top right)
Image 21. (Bottom left).
 Designing and creating this shoe allowed me to explore artistic styles I have never before tried. It may not be a technique I am extremely pleased with as I found the molding complicated, but I have the confidence to try new styles and build my range of skills.

Image 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Authors own.
Image 7. Pierre Carrier Belleuse. 1896. Before the ballet. 
Image 8 . Unknown
Image 13. www.vam.ac.uk.

Storyboard

1. A boy visits a zoo and is playing with a balloon.

(authors own)

 2. Suddenly, by accident, he lets go of the balloon!
(authors own)

 3.He tries to grab it but he just can't reach.
(authors own)

 4.Another problem occurs when he hears the zoo is about to shut. But he is determined to get his balloon back.
(authors own)

5. He jumps as far as he can, in hope that he will reach the balloon.
(authors own)

6. He manages to catch it and is as happy as he was before he lost it. Now he can go home, with his balloon after having a fun filled day at the zoo.
(authors own)

Sketching memory's

Memory was again an important topic of the sketching assessment done in the lens based media week. A image of a surrounding area that is special to you was the inspiration for the sketch and I chose a photograph of Venice that I took in the summer. I wanted to use it as Venice is a place I visit from time to time; even though its architecture is what is it's most known for in terms of art, I find that when taking photos, there are different interesting things you can discover that do not stand out as much as other aspects. I chose this because it's unusual as gondolier's are known for taking people around Venice on a gondola. This photograph shows them relaxing and contrasting normal ideas. I found that the composition is a great part of it as well as they are in the middle of the piece and focus is placed on them. The scenery around is detailed and colourful too, which provides a more prominent photo

Time line

After starting a project based on memories, here is a time line capturing the activities that I have done. In doing so, this has helped me focus on what the purpose of the work I done was and what It might lead to. Each activity might have included different thinking processes but when put in an order I now understand how the they are leading to a project that can explore a variety of styles but study a complex subject.

Time Capsule

After sketching a variety of objects representing my past, present and future, I began to bury it so that in time, my objects will remain the way they were. So in a few years, these objects will enable me to look back at my past and I'll be able to compare my thoughts from the day when I dig them up to when I buried them. My memories have been captured through this activity and I will be reminded of things I may have forgotten.

Future memories

Whilst gathering objects from past and present, I discovered certain objects led to a future in art. However while placing these objects in a different orders I began to notice that they linked. One of the first orders I sorted them into was chronological order. Beginning with my favourite movie as a child (Alice in Wonderland) the order grew and developed. Next a photo of me scuba diving, to one of my first art books, a bracelet from my favourite place to visit (Italy), a movie ticket for This is it, a fan from Australia given to me by a friend, more movie tickets from the last Harry Potter film, certificates of charity work I took part in, a photo of my prom and The Great Gatsby (a novel which I have finished studying). After this, I wanted to create a more personal order; displaying what I've achieved to what I want to do in the future. 

 My art book shows an early interest in art but also fashion. This already links to the end of the order as designing is an important future goal. 

 I put this fan and photo here as I hope to go scuba diving in the future but visit exciting places as well.

 I also want to carry on with charity work and this is an important aspiration that I would like to achieve one day as I find that helping others is enjoyable but also helps me develop understanding of certain situations.

I put the movie tickets, DVD and book at the end as I would like to study costume design. I find that working on a production with unusual themes will be exciting and fascinating as it allows an insight into a world different from ours. Overall these objects displayed a focus on not only my artistic hopes but also a variety of goals.