Olivia Alexander Research

Fine art student. University of Salford

[artlivalexander]

After a last minute meeting with Brendan this morning, I decided to change my degree show proposal.

The use of dowels ( a machine made object) with the wooden logs did not sit well together they were giving off different concepts. Therefore the pieces will now be displayed in a plinth as the drawings above display. Due to this being a last minute decision the exact layout of the plinths has not yet been decided but I am confident that this piece is going to look more effective than the log concept!

[artlivalexander]

Due to the submission being digital I thought it may be useful to photograph around 7 pieces of work (out of 16) including their measurements to give an idea of the size and scale of them, due to them not being accessible in person. I hope this will provide a better understanding of the works and their impact.

172 cm x 32 xm. 2cm dowel

151 cm x 32 cm 2.5 cm dowel

95 cm x 30 cm 1cm dowel

92 cm x 29 cm 1.5 cm

120 x 29 cm 1.5 cm

114 x 22 cm 2 cm

90 x 24 cm 1 cm

[artlivalexander]

Here is a video of my most recent maquette/mock up, I wanted to provide a video display to try and show how the audience would see and interact with the work. I think this concept works well and achieved what I set out for it to, the three beams and the high hanging pieces of work all fit well with my proposal. With the do not touch sign at the back adding a sense of realism to it.

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Acting upon feedback from Jill, this is a larger maquette to display one of my degree show proposals. My last maquette did not display the scale or lay out very well, however I think this maquette does the job perfectly. It clearly displays that the works will be kept to the side, as well as showing the concept of 3 timber beams being attached to the top of the two studio walls, the use of a sign at the end highlighting that the installation will be safe to the audience as they will not be allowed to touch the artwork. 

Interestingly the hessian sections had to be made using left over hessian strands off the floor, but i actually think that they look really effective and some what interesting! This could be an idea to take forward as I look at how to progress these works in the future.

[artlivalexander]

With the advise of looking at more formal possibilities, here are two more ideas. 

The first is one that I have considered a few times but always struggled with how to realise it. the concept being for two supporting poles to hold a large body of hessian that will drap and swim onto the floor. I have seem many fibre artists work in similar formats with the material creating a pool like feature on the floor and if executed properly it can look really effective. 

The second work is looking at using logs, I intend for them to be stacked upon one another will holes drilled if different sections to then allow for the dowels to be inserted. I think this idea would be really effective outdoors in the middle of a landscape! One of my degree show proposals takes inspiration from this idea as it outlines the concept of the wooden logs being arranged on the floor with 2 peoples growing out of each log.

[artlivalexander]

These are drawings that I produced to aid one of my degree show proposals, I wanted to keep them simple yet have enough detail and description. I think the adition of colour to the beams and dowels aids in bringing the drawings to life and giving a bit of personality. In terms of the quality of the drawing, I think they all display the idea well in an easy to understand manor. Hopefully these drawings help with the understanding of my proposal. The first two highlighting the concept of a walk through installation, the sections displaying how the wood will sit on top of the walls and be attached through 2 inch screws and the last showing the concept of an installation that allows the audience to walk through a designated walk way. The 3rd option being the safest in regards to health and safety. 

[artlivalexander]

Today I have produced a drawing of a piece of work I would have been submitting have the exhibition had to be a smaller one piece work. The top image is intended to display a larger version of the work that I did not manage to make. I really loved this idea as the coming together of the hessian, dowel and the wooden log with the moss feature on the top created something quite beautiful. This has inspired the plan of using my wooden logs for the degree show and creating a floor installation piece.

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Here is a collection of all of my dowel pieces so far ( minus two ) I am happy with my growing collection. I do not intend to make anymore at this point as my focus is on bulking out the pieces I already have, for the degree show as I’d like to get them all to a larger size. 

In terms of success I think they’re all effective in their own ways, the larger onces definitely being the best at the moment due to the level of detail and depth created.

[artlivalexander]

This image is to display one of my pieces now it has been built up. I think these images show how much better the work already look after one session of building them up. Particularly in the first image the work looks really full and dense which is a feature I am pleased with as I do not want the works to appear sparse/thin.

[artlivalexander]

Here is another piece with wire inside, I still find this to be the quickest way to produce my pieces. However, after speaking with Brendan it is now important to consider the health and safety risks this may pose in terms of the degree show, so I will be carefully going over all of the works including wire to ensure the wire is safely turned inside and there are no elements sticking out. 

The colours in this piece are not my favourite, but I am aware that this is just part of the process due to my work being produced with recycled pieces from last semester. I believe that these works could really benefit from a pop of colour, I may look at including one other, a brighter pink or orange? I think these colours will bring a lot more life to the work and aid in having less off an overall dull feel to it.

[artlivalexander]

This is a video of my work in Delamere forest that I forgot to post with the images. I think the images were successful, but the use of a video gives a completely different mood. It allows the audience to feel as though they were there and can see the artwork moving in the wind before them.

The images provide more of a sense of documentation, whereas this video provides an installation view. I think the layout of the artwork and the chosen area are what makes this piece so effective paired with the wind blowing the work to create movement.

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More group shots. I found my first attempt at group photographs to be very unsuccessful, although I am not 100% happy with these images I do think they are an improvement! Possibly the fish bowl photography studio would be better for photographing these works rather than one white backdrop as the lens could be wider then and it would provide more opportunity for different angles to view the works amongst one another, a bit like trees! I personally think the most effective is the second image, I think the focus and positioning really aid in its sucess! There isnt one piece that is more emphasised they are all of equal value and the colours work well together, in comparison to some of the close up shots where the merge of colours is quite over powering!

[artlivalexander]

I think these images may be my favourite so far! I think it comes down to everything, the colours, composition and movement created within the piece. The use of pinks orange and purple compliment each other well. Also I think the visible wire in the middle work adds something more to the piece, it provides a completely different texture and feel to the work, sitting well with the loose threads that hang down.

I think I am going to choose one of these images to submit to the degree show catalogue!

[artlivalexander]

I think these are the most effective of the singular shots and this could be done to the size and shape of the hessian as previously mentioned in another post. The use of wire enables the work to appear larger and more circular in comparison to the other pieces that are quite flat. I also think that the positioning of the work and the camera enables the success of this piece, as it captures the little details of the work, such as the stray strands of hessian. Once again, the colours in the piece work so well together, there isn’t one that stands out more than the next and that is what aids in the pieces being effective. I also think the use of a white background and centre positions provides further benefits for this image.

[artlivalexander]

With these images I tried to focus on the colours, I think my favourite pieces are the second and last images. In the second the piece in the middle being suspended gives a completely different feel, it almost enabled it to appear more thought through and professional. I also think the variety of colours work well together to provide a bright positive notion from the piece supported by the crisp white background. In terms of the last image I think the simplicity of it really helps the success! Definitely supported by the same colour scheme running between both works, and possibly the visibility of the poles playing a role as well? 

[artlivalexander]

Here are some images that I re-edited for my artist website. After Steve gave me some feedback he stated that the images seem to fade into the background a tad and I completely agree with what he is saying, there is a lot of noise from the environment in the background which does make it difficult to view the artworks. Therefore, I have made an effort to really sharper and darken the artwork and I do think it has paid off! They now appear a lot more vibrant and apparent within the images.

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Progress pics of another work! Adding the wire to the inside definitely speeds up the process it also provides the pieces with a better structure I think, creating a more defined circular shape to them. I find this to be a successful factor as it gives off the impresson of a fuller body, this being something I had been trying to achieve. I love the colours in these new works, they’re really bright and happy giving off spring/summer vibes! I do have a slight negative, I feel as thought the work can sometimes look as though it is just ‘sitting’ on the end of the pole, possibly I could do with bringing it further down the pole to combat this.