Actions to take forward to level 2.

In 2nd year I plan to focus more on my skills and learn more about that. After experimenting with various materials in 1st year and collaboration, I now know what works/doesn't work and I can now use that to my advantage, hopefully resulting in some very successful outcomes.

PPD1 Fine Art and Site

For this last project we were asked to create work with a specific site. The site was Thwaites Mill and when walking around on the first visit the one thing I noticed was there was a lot of tags hanging off various pieces of machinary, as well as some that if you text the number, you would receive a poem about the machinary. The tags were something of a discovery, as you noticed one you realised there were loads all around the mill.

I found thinking of ideas for site quite hard as the work had to relate somehow to the site. the history of the mill also interested me and listening to the stories of the past owners inspired me to try and use history in the work.

As I was finding it difficult to start any ideas, me and Amy decided to collaborate as we both noticed the tags and were equally stuck for ideas. We had several discussions which instantly helped with ideas and we decided using the tags was a good starting point. Something we both wanted to experiment with was scale, and we instantly thought of several tags as we could utilise the fact there was two of us to make.

As I was really interested in the history, we went and visited York archives in the library to see if there was any information, and to then visit Leeds library to find specific information. There we found loads of different types of tags which had different identification uses, and draws and draws of family history. As the tag is traditionally used to indentify people, we wanted to use information relating to the families that used to own Thwaites Mill. This was quite hard to come by and had another idea to maybe use the information of the visitors to the Mill, which we got off the staff at Thwaites.

We had more discussuions and walked around the site to see where we wanted to be. The main idea we had was to produce a series of metal tags and hang them. One idea was inside the Mill and another outside amongst the trees. We decided outside as it had the element of discovery which the tags inside the mill had. Discovering them in the trees and having them reflecting the sun. We chose metal as it would be able to withstand the weather conditions as well as recreating something that normally would perish, into a permenant thing. We looked at artists such as Annette Messager for inspiration for the type of installation we wanted. As there are two of us we could make more tags than if there was just one person.

We aimed to make around 600 tags as that was a specific number of visitors during one month, but the tags took time and money to make and after one day in the metal workshop we only make around 50. After talking to the metal technician, she advised us to use copper and aluminuin as they would rust easiest so we used all the scrap metal we could to save metal. We measured and cut each tag by hand, and punched a hole into the top.We had another discussion at the crits and with each other about what to put on the tags. We looked at Emily Prince as inspiration and had ideas such as photos of the workers, signatures, names and numbers. But decided that plain would say more as numbers or names would be too obvious as to what the tags were about. It also allows people to figure out a meaning for themselves. Originally we were going to hang the tags with wire from the trees, but issues with finance and getting hold of wire we went for natural coloured string which worker beautifully. It allowed the tags to move and occasionally make noise adding another element to the piece.

We looked at different types of knots also, to keep the piece looking neat and went for the 'noose' knot. As the noose traditionally is linked to death it added another element that death was a part of working at the Mill in the past and links with history. We installed the tags and instatntly realised that the wind would tangle them tags up. The majority untangled themselves but realised that that would be part of the piece as part of site. If this were to be installed anywhere else it wouldn't have the same concept or links at all. The trees we chose almost formed an arch way that really helped frame the tags and overall I am very pleased with the final piece.

As this project is resulting in an exhibition night, I really feel I've learnt how exhibitions are organised and set up. I'm really pleased with our piece and working in a partnership has opened my eyes even more since the collaboration project to a different type of collaboration, to which this one I preferred as I wasn't relying on loads of people. Working with site was difficult at first, if mostly financially, travelling there and back as well as materials was a struggle. It has resulted in a really positive experience though and an exhibition night along side my peers.

Action to be taken at the end of Fine Art and Site

1. Create work with a relationship to the specific site
2. Carry on exploring materials
3. Improve critical diary, more self critical

Art Publicatons

Art Review

Art Review is a monthly art publication covering all types of art and culture.
Throughout the magazine there are a lot of adverts which is what struck me first, the quality of the magazine reminds me of high end glossy end fashion magazine which isn't neseccarily a bad thing.
It's quite a formal approach to writing about the artists, overall pretty easy to read and understand. Explaining concepts and even interviews with artists.
As it's an international magazine, it breaks down the major art cities, London, Paris, Berlin etc and reviews the newest exhibitons there.
Not as much imagery as I would like, but has nice, informative feature articles.
Overall the adverts put me off and the lack of images.


Parkett

This publication is huge and only published twice a year, as well as being rather expensive.
Each publication is created in collaboration with the artists who make work especially for Parkett, which is then available as prints to buy.
It looks like a book and is a beautiful publication with some really well written, creative articles on artists which are in depth about the background of the pieces, with a good 10 pages or so per artist.
Some parts in German as it is predominantly a German publication. Nice clear, large images which really brings it to life, almost like a reference book and has very little adverts.
There's a section at the back of short exhibition reviews from all around the world, covering all types of art.
The balance between reviews and articles is right and if I had the money I would definatley buy it.

Flash Art - 'World's leading Art magazine.'

This magazine is a monthly publication that covers international artists.
Again this has a ridiculas amount of adverts which you have to get through to get to the first article. Highlights galleries around the world and the different exhibitions they hold, but there is little in the way of articles.
Reviews film and photography as well as art, a very cultural magazine.
The articles are mostly interviews with chosen artists which are interesting and laid out like a newspaper, which makes it easy to read as well as the wording not being too hard to understand.
Really good articles on media and culture that affects artists and that are often the inspiration behind artists work, short essays on mixing culture with art and current affairs, eg, Lady GaGa.
This is a good magazine for inspiration and articles on current affairs, once you get past all the adverts.

The Art Book

A monthly publication that on first view is very flat and dull.
Not very creative for an art publication, not many images and lots of complicated writing. Very much for people who are wanting to purchase art, writing about the piece technically as apposed to the concept. Explain guide prices for the work as well.
Not many adverts, and the majority of the reviews are of traditional paintings with some sculpture, even reveiwing historical works such as 16th century paintings as well as Van Gough.
This publication is not to my taste, very formal and would appeal more to art buyers, no contemporary works.

an magazine

A British monthly publication that is supported by the Arts Council England.
A thin publication that doesn't have many pages, almost like a zine or a handout. The first section of the magazine has letters from readers and debates about current art issues, which is a first in any of these magazines. Not too many adverts for such a small magazine which is good.
They review exhibitions which are easy to read and understandable, more lighthearted text then some of the other publications.
They cover all types of contemporary art and has articles on current issues affecting art such as funding in the arts and the protests.
Nice large images with supporting text, they have a news section as well as opportunities for submissions and an art services section.
Overall a lovely little magazine thats easy to read with a simple layout of the exhibitions as well as opportunities for artists and pieces on current affairs relevant to artists.


Overall of I were to buy one of the publications regularly, it would be an magazine. It covers exhibitions in Britiain, not many adverts and readable articles about up and coming artists, with interesting points being raised about issues such as funding.
Parkett was my favourite publication because of the aesthetic quality, beautifully put together, like a reference book with lots to read and large images making it colourful and interesting. Worth the money for a twice a year publication.