Che-an

/// Art & Design ///   Work in progress blog by Che-an

[che-an-l]

The final outcomes and the degree show

Two photo shoots in the studio by Soha.

Working on displaying the work.  I quite like them on the floor along with the clay powder.  But the room and people’s work are large which makes my work invisible.

I tried to hang them using fishing wire and hooks but there wasn’t enough support for the work.  After struggling for a while, I decided to do it in the simplest way to display them-

The colour of the window shelf is too close to my work, so I covered it with a Taiwanese traditional cloth on it.

Next: Process Book

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Process Book

Available to view on iSSUU: https://issuu.com/joannxforest/docs/book__2 

This had been a very difficult task for me since I’m not a computer person.  I only knew how to use Word or PPT, and I still remember the first time I learnt to use a computer to do my schoolwork - it was like math (I’m bad at math too) to me.  

I thought about using Word document to make my book but I wanted it to look nice and fit my project; I tried to learn stuff about Indesign online and ask my brother on phone (I went to Luke’s workshops too but I got stuck like every time I tried to find something or some settings). 

It was frustrating and irritating at first.  It took me loads of time doing it because I was very new in this area, and sometimes, I had to use the stupidest way (takes time) to sort things out when I didn’t know the exact way or shortcut to do it.  

I’m so pleased with the result.  I didn’t expect that I could make it to this stage not because of my ability but the time was pushing.

Let’s have a look!

The front & back covers:

The paper I brought from Taiwan:  I was lucky that the whole pack of paper was just enough for 3 books.

The physical book I got it printed from Kall Kwik: the only shame is the crop marks somehow were printed out in the books.  It’s not obvious but still a shame.

Next: The final outcomes and the degree show

[che-an-l]

Experiments & processes 2

Developments after the Work in Progress Show.

What’s missing?

This display at the Work in Progress show was too peaceful to show such emotions and the ‘identity’. The idea was covered up by the irrelevant objects although these were Taiwan-related yet it didn’t show the core idea of my project. These were good materials. They just needed to be in the right place. The two masks showed nice details of the faces, however it didn’t show much of my original idea - conflicted identity of being a Taiwanese.  After the assessment, I was suggested to try different ways to bring out the idea on the clay.  I was stuck and confused about what I could do better to show my idea on my work.  While I was suggested to try different materials, I then tried the easiest way by pinching out the simple outlines of a man's face, and combined it with other media and methods like ropes, threads, stitchings, pins, and different bindings.

I was so concentrated on the facial details that I missed the real emotions I wanted to show.  Therefore, I started again with a smaller scales of faces.

I found it easier to show the tension and uncomfortable feelings on the simple-outlined faces rather than carving fine details.  

This man with pins pinned on his mouth is a metaphor of freedom of speech.  I painted the pins in red and blue which are the symbol of the Chinese Nationalist Party in Taiwan and the flag of China.  In Taiwan, speaking freely won't cause any trouble, yet, can't get rid of the political force behind this democratic country; the political stunt, pressure from China, and the infiltration of Chinese companies and unequal policies have made between the government and China.  

This man tries to speak or make a sound while his eyes, face, nose and mouth are tied up. This happens when you speak too much, have too many opinions and being expressive. You can't talk about Taiwanese independence to a Chinese or make it public outside of Taiwan. Well, you would put yourself in jeopardy if you do: being silenced, put in prison, organ harvesting alive by the Chinese Communist Party, or just disappear in China like the Taiwanese journalist Lee Ming-zhe. This is one of the ways China controls their people and tries the same on Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The China Licker (舔共） ‬as its name implies, the person who is Taiwanese and also a pro-Chinese; always stands with the Chinese Communist Party, and views China as their homeland.  It is a phrase used to call some people like this.  I visualised this word into a sculpture - with his eyes closed, mouth wide opened smiling, not knowing he is abandoning his country and how democracy means for a country and its people; or he is just being ignorant.

Next: The final outcomes and the degree show & The process book

[che-an-l]

Notes: family stories.

From my mother’s side:

My mother’s family name is Lu (呂).  It was changed to Miyakawa (宮川), a Japanese surname, during the occupation of Japan as a policy in Taiwan because the Japanese government wanted all Taiwanese to be converted to the Japanese emperor.  During that time, people spoke Japanese as the first language, received Japanese education.  It is why the people from that generation (my great grandfather and grandfather’s) still speak Japanese, and my grandfather only watched Japanese TV shows and news.  It did not pass to the next generation, but at home, we still greet each other in Japanese.

The only persons who use (used) Miyakawa as the family name are my great grandfather and my uncle.  My great grandfather was an artist at that time.  His name was Lu, Chun-Cheng (1903-1972) before he changed to Miyakawa Seisuke.  He fled to Japan because of some political reason after the Chinese Nationalist government took control of Taiwan.  He then started a new family in Japan.  My grandfather and uncle have seen the family once at his funeral in Japan.

According to my mother’s family, there was a Dutch ancestor hundreds of years ago either during the occupation of the Dutch, or after that.  This is part of the reasons my cousins are often mistaken as foreigners in Taiwan.  Yet the gene did not pass to me and my brother.

From my father’s side:

We had Chinese ancestors like most of the Taiwanese.  Counting from the first generation who settled in Taiwan, my father is the 24th.

[che-an-l]

Work in Progress Show

What’s missing?

This display was too peaceful to show such emotions and the ‘identity’.  The idea was covered up by the irrelevant objects although these were Taiwan-related yet it didn’t show the core idea of my project.  These were good materials.  They just needed to be in the right place.  The two masks showed nice details of the faces, however it didn’t show much of my original idea.  After the assessment, I was suggested to try different ways to bring out the idea on the clay.

Next one: Experiments & processes 2

[che-an-l]

Materials

 ‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘

Ceramic clay

Taiwanese textiles:

1) Hakka Textiles as known as Taiwanese textiles.

2) Traditional Taiwanese batik textiles.

3) Indigenous fabrics.

Newspapers from Taiwan: 

There are two different newspapers from two news agencies; one is Liberty Times which supports the Democratic Progressive Party and the independence of Taiwan; the other one is China Times which stands for the KMT (Chinese Nationalist Party).  The news is not always reporting the truth, and the truth can be faked and covered by other irrelevant news which effect how people absorb the facts the specific parties want.  And the people can be totally innocent and ignorant, and be the blind followers.

The national flag aka the flag of KMT party: 

This flag was created for the KMT party dating back to the time when the Chinese nationalist government took control of Taiwan.  It is controversial not because it is a party flag but it means we Taiwanese solute to a flag that belongs to a party that made a terrible massacre and countless persecutions against Taiwanese from 1947 to 1987.  It is ironic for myself to see those who love this country and stand for the independence waving this flag.  Even outside of Taiwan, I do feel complicated to see it.

The flag of Taiwanese Independence:

These flags are designed by a coffee shop owner, Denis Chen.  These appear in many events and protests in Taiwan, however, this does not represent the nation, just the individual standpoints.

The cyan flag of Taiwan: 

The logo in the middle is the image of the word “Tai (台)” which has been used during the occupation of Japan; the dark blue stands for the sea, the white for the waves, and the green mountain for the land of the Taiwanese indigenes.

>>>> What happens when you are holding a Taiwanese passport?

There are 148 countries you can go visa-free, including the Schengen regions.  However, there are some countries do not approve such passports.  People with Taiwan passports are often having hard time when passing the customs.  Even, in Taiwan, it is not allowed to cover anything on the cover, especially on the title.  When you are stopped by the customs officers, you will be taken into a room, and asked to remove the stickers or whatever you put on the passport, or they will file a report as a record.  It shows the power of politics and the pro-Chinese behind this policy.  

>>>> What's on the passport?

On the cover, the title is printed 'Republic of China (中華民國 in Mandarin and the English version below; a logo of the Nationalist Party in the middle, then the word 'Taiwan' below it, and  the word 'Passport' in bilingual at the bottom.  

On the first page which shows personal details, the nationality is written 'Taiwan (Republic of China)'.  This is such a joke to all the Taiwanese.  The government is not able to change it because of many political reasons.  

The officers often ask us why we are Taiwanese but holding a Chinese passport, and some even reject these kind of passports.  A passport that tells the story of the sorrow from this democratic country; It is sad to see a country famous for its democracy yet can't do anything about it.

Next one: Experiments and processes

Artist ref: Johnson Tsang, Grayson Perry, Loyet

[che-an-l]

Grayson Perry

Who are You? at National Portrait Gallery, London, 2014 

Grayson Perry turns his attention to identity as he creates portraits - from tapestries to sculptures and pots - of diverse individuals who are all trying to define who they are. 

He said, “Our identity is something we perform over a lifetime, so this idea that we are this static thing, I think, is an illusion.  We are a series of bits of baggages, but eventually they build up into this ongoing, lifelong artwork that is our individual identity.  And we feel it and we live it and we perform it.” 

Next: Johnson Tsang, Loyet

[che-an-l]

Experiments & processes 1

I have made quite a lot of small scale of animal and human parts sculpture (clay, ceramics, plaster).  The human face is the most challenging part.  It is hard for me to sketch or sculpture a face.  I only had one chance to sculpture a clay human face when I was 9.  It was a long time from now, I was very unconfident about how to start.  So I tried to sketch some portraits in order to get familiar with the outlines on a human’s face before I start working with clay. I picked 3 famous Taiwanese figures in different times and from different groups:

1. Mona Rudo #莫那魯道 (1880-1930) was the chief of Seediq tribe of Taiwanese indigenes. A hero during the Japanese rule of Taiwan. (This was the Mona Rudo that played by actor Ching-tai Lin in the film, Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale.)

2. Then Yí-hièn #鄧雨賢 (1906-1944), a Taiwanese Hakka composer a.k.a. The Father of Taiwanese folk music.

3. Chiúⁿ Ūi-súi (Chiang Wei-Shui, 1890-1931) #蔣渭水 was the founder of Taiwanese Cultural Association and the Taiwanese People’s Party. He was one of the most important figures in Taiwan’s Resistance Movement against the Japanese rule.

And a failed experiment 

Further practices:

Then I used some people’s faces as the references to start with:

1. A face based on my brother’s look.  This was the first face I made which took me more than 4 days.

Waiting for it to dry out a bit so I could dig a hole on the head without damaging the shape while it was wet.

Opened a mailbox, drilled the holes.

2. Mona Rudo.  This face represents the Taiwanese indigenes, therefore I chose the most well known figure.  

The wrinkles and the eyes were the hardest parts.  I still couldn’t make it look like the real person.

Next: Work in progress show.

[che-an-l]

Johnson Tsang

A Hong Kong ceramist  who particularly makes white porcelain human faces and sculptures.  His work shows the intense yet very fine and vivid emotions of people’s.  His human faces really grabbed my attention when I first saw them.  And in some of the work, you can see the sarcasm and a shadowy, whimsical way of mocking the politics in China.    

Next: Loyet, Grayson Perry

[che-an-l]

Loyet (羅葉）

 Loyet (羅葉） known as Ye Luo, was a Taiwanese poet, writer, teacher, and social movement activist.  He participated in several significant social movements and political protests during the period of martial law in Taiwan; he founded an underground press, The Love of Freedom, to pursue the justice in the society.  His poems and articles are sharp, sarcastic, and revealed the corruption of the society.  

He was my literature teacher, and I was inspired by his thoughts and work, especially the poems about the society and share the ideas of my project.  His poems I translated from Chinese to English below point out the facts about Taiwan; it's ugly, harsh but it's the truth.  

I translated three of his poems which is identity and politics-related.  It was hard to translate because of the Homophones and rhymes.

>>>>

Still

Consciousness' kidnapped this tender land,

House of Commons' raped this silent society,

The chivalrous' endorsed this freedom of terror;

The anecdote's scanned through the hearts of the residents,

The episode's embellished the elegance of the moguls';

The smooth path's been demonstrated by the recluse.

Still,

Under that all-year, on dutied armour of politics,

We shall be back to yesterday's solecism

For a single misstep we take today.

                                                                                                       《亦是》

意識

曾經綁架過這塊柔軟的土地

議事

曾經強暴過這個沈默的社會

義士

曾經背書過這片恐怖的自由

軼事

曾經凝視過這群住民的內心

逸事

曾經點綴過這撮權貴的風雅

逸士

曾經示範過這條路線的平順

亦是

在全年無休的政治掛帥裡

今日正確的我們踏錯一步

便又回到昨天的謬誤

                                                                                  >>>>

Messages

The unreported messages do not exist in this mind-controlled era;

The reported messages are quickly forgotten in the era of media-liberation.

There was this time,

Newspapers were cherished like the Records of the Grand Historian1.

These days, news is like the junk food in the fast food restaurant,

Wolfing down, then excreting out.

《訊息》

在思想管制的年代

不被報導的訊息就不存在

在媒體解放的年代

被報導過的訊息

很快很快

也就被忘記

曾經有一段時期

報紙像史記

那樣子值得珍惜

如今新聞像速食店

的垃圾食物

讓人們狼吞虎嚥而後排泄出去

>>>>

Climate of Opinion

In the time of the towering authority,

There is only one explanation for the hundreds of cases.

In the time of the collapse of the authority,

A single case could have thousands of explanations.

In the time of the hibernation of the public will,

The mind longs for freedom, yet

Is too terrified to open the mouth.

In the time of Insects' Waken2 of the public will,

The mouth gets the freedom, but

Gets rid of the mind.

《輿論》 

在權威聳立的年代 

許許多多樁事件 

都只有一種說法 

在權威倒塌的時代 

一小樁事件 

出現許許多多種說法 

在民意冬眠的時代 

渴望自由的腦袋 

都不太敢張開嘴巴 

在民意驚蟄的時代 

獲得自由的嘴巴 

往往又掙脫了腦袋 

Next: Johnson Tsang, Grayson Perry

[che-an-l]

Statement of intent

Aims & arguments: 

-Seeing arts from the cultural perspective.  -The current state of the art industry in Taiwan.  -Indigenous artists -Artists who received Chinese culture/ first, second or more generations settled in Taiwan.  -Contemporary and traditional arts/artists/artisans.

Intro. 

A brief overall background of Taiwan, including its culture and current art and creative industry. Looking back to the indigenous culture, the colony histories and politics which brought different and various cultural impacts to the country.  People went through the invasions of the Chinese, Dutch, Spanish and Japanese. People share different cultures, speak different languages, wear different clothes, sing different songs, look differently, think differently, yet they all live in the same island.  These impacts had been planted in the daily life, and still, reveal on artists’ and artisans’ works nowadays.  From a mural in the temple to the art gallery, there are many stories to tell.   We will be looking at some contemporary and traditional artists' and artisans’ works; also, I will bring out other significant issues that we are facing, for instance, the consciousness of the country and art (education) as a citizen in Taiwan, and how the international status and politics influence the Taiwanese and the individual standpoints. 

[che-an-l]

ART6102 Contemporary and Historical Contexts-

Multiculturalism and the Arts in Taiwan by Che-an Lin

Taiwan, a small island drifting on the Pacific Ocean in East Asia, has been baptised by various cultures, educations and politics through each colonisation.  Over these centuries, apart from the indigenes, you can see the footprints left by the invaders from the Netherlands, Spain, China, and Japan, and the new immigrants from the South East Asia and other foreign countries since the 1990s.  This localised characteristics has been struggling among the colonialism, modernism, post-modernism, post-colonialism and globalisation.  It not only reflects on people’s life, but also the art.  This provoked the diverse development of arts and crafts in Taiwan, as long as the sense of belonging.  People share different cultures, speak different languages, wear different clothes, sing different songs, look differently, think differently, yet we all live in the same island.  Meanwhile, how do we deal with the national consciousness (identity) while we think, we speak, we make art?   As a citizen of Taiwan, I am talking about this topic through each selected Taiwanese artist’s work that relates to different cultures, and what colonies and new immigrants brought to Taiwan.

This topic came across my mind not because I am a Taiwanese, but it is also a controversial topic when it comes to ‘national identity’.  It was a chance to bring this topic overseas for those who do not really know about this country see what we are and what we are struggling with, and a chance for myself to get to know my own country.

The first paragraph is introducing the influences from foreign rulers and their culture including the education, architectures, languages and life styles.  Then talking about the specific artists in each period of time.  I also mentioned my great grandfather who was an artist during the Japanese occupation and the early days of the Chinese Nationalist government as an example.  

Frankly, I think I had wasted a good topic.  I did not have enough time to do all the researches and writing because I changed my topic three times.  I still regret so much that I did not finish this writing formally and thoroughly.  The first one I wanted to write was “Lines”.  But I found it hard to expand.  Then I changed to installation art which is what I am really into.  Same like the first one, I found it hard to write something different and interesting since there are a great deal of articles of this topic existing.  So, starting from where I belong and what I have experienced the most--Taiwan--the place I was born.

I do hope this is my last dissertation...I felt like I just came back from war the moment I submitted the dissertation.

[che-an-l]

ART6105 Negotiated Practice

“I am floating in the South Pacific Ocean.”

The struggle, confusion under the identity of being a Taiwanese.  

This is about identity, consciousness and the confusion of myself. The faces are like fragments inside my body, doubting myself, doubting my country, doubting who I am to be, doubting what I see. The only thing for sure is that I was born a Taiwanese though I am often confused of how I define or identify myself and my country while I find it hard to position myself in this country, and it is not only the political and international cause that formed this chaotic society, but the ignorance and lack of self identification we the people are. Each expression on the faces is the metaphor of how I see and experience. It is personal, emotional, yet national. I ain't Chinese, nor Japanese. However I don't really know how to explain and declare my country when somebody says, 'What's the difference between China and Taiwan?", "Aren't they the same?', 'Is Taiwan a country?' I never considered myself as Chinese, but how come when we declare ourselves as Taiwanese becomes a political, international and sensitive issue?

People identify themselves as indigenes, Taiwanese, Han, Hakka, Taiwanese new immigrants, and so on.  Beyond these diverse cultures, Chinese culture has a huge impact on Taiwan.  The traditions, religions, Lunar calendar, etc.  Like my family, we practice many traditions and celebrate festivals from the Chinese culture like most of the Taiwanese do.  I know we had ancestors who were Chinese, the indigenous, even one from the Netherlands.  Yet we do not call ourselves ' indigenes', nor 'Chinese'.    Most of the time, when people see me, they automatically would think I am either Chinese or Japanese.  When I introduce my country, some either think there is no such difference between China and Taiwan, or they have never heard of this country.   Last year, at the BCU International Student Festival, all students wore their own traditional costumes apart from our group.  For myself, Chinese and the indigenous traditions are parts of our culture, however, I do not belong to neither of the groups.  I admire and respect the indigenous people and the cultures, yet I am not allowed to wear their costumes (it is regarded as disrespectful for outsiders to wear their costumes), and not mentioning the Chinese traditional clothes.  We can’t deny the importance of Chinese culture in Taiwan, but I wouldn't choose to wear a Chinese garment or Cheongsam.  

This confusing phenomenon happens in Taiwan.  People have their own ideas of who they are and where they belong to.  The political position of Taiwan is complicated and hard to explain.  Some people are brainwashed by the pro-Chinese parties and become blind followers; some are strong-minded and willing to step up for the country even by breaking the laws.  Ignorance is fatal for one country which makes the people easy to fall for one side that might not be right and better for the country, or no idea what is going on at the moment.  I am partly like this kind of people but the confusion takes over the most part.  This is why I am making a series of masks/faces–a mask as a disguise, a protection, or showing people what they want to see, what makes sense in their mind.  I chose clay as the material itself is original, delicate and fragile like human’s minds.

[che-an-l]

“The Encounter”

The Glass Installation 

International Projects: Art in the City

Che-an Lin

[che-an-l]

CV- ART 5101Professional Practice

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I am studying Art and Design at Birmingham City University.  I am interested in crafts, textile, sculpture, printing, bookbinding, photography, contemporary art and installations.  I like to explore things between different media.  

WORK - EXPERIENCE

May 2018

Student Placement

Craftspace, Birmingham, UK

-Filing documents, past events into archive. -Researching sources regarding to arts, crafts and the related subjects. -Assisting the workshop and wrote the blog and posted on social media.    

 2017 - Present

Caterer

Miyako Teppanyaki, Birmingham, UK

-Serving food/drinks -Taking food orders -Bartending -Customer service

Jul 2017 - Sep 2017

Caterer

Henry’s Cantonese, Birmingham, UK

-Serving food/drinks -Taking food orders -Customer service

2017 - Present

Vice Leader

Birmingham City University Taiwanese Society, UK

-General affairs. -Coordinate society meetings and events updates and promotions.        

2016 - 2017

Photography and general affairs section

Birmingham City University Taiwanese Society, UK

-Responsible for taking photos during meetings and activities for social media and promotion. -Coordinated society meetings and events updates.

Dec 2014 - Jul 2015

Office assistant

Ci-Xin Waldorf School, Yilan, Taiwan

-Supporting the office with general administration. -Translating articles and sources. -Designing posters.

Aug 2014 - Dec 2014

Apprentice

Private jewellery studio, Yilan, Taiwan

-Learnt skills and knowledge in jewellery and metalworking. -Making pieces of jewellery and objects.

Sep 2013

Apprentice

Grass Hill Jewellery, Taipei, Taiwan

-Created pieces of jewellery samples for the studio. -Worked in a retail environment, selling items and promoting events to customers.

2013

Community Service Volunteer ( 1 week)

Yu-An Child’s Home, Taiwan

-Supporting children with special needs. -Organising activities to engage the children.

GROUP - EXHIBITIONS

2017

‘The Object Is To Transform’

The Works Gallery, Birmingham, UK

2018

‘Power of Ten, a respond from the chosen text’

Birmingham City University School of Art, UK

PERFORMANCE

2013

Westside Story Musical, Yilan, Taiwan

2012

Taiwanese Aboriginal Dance, at Waldorf World Teachers Conference 2012, Goetheanum, Switzerland

Education

2016 - Present

Birmingham City University

BA (Hon.)  Art and Design

2015 - 2016

Birmingham City University International College, UK

Foundation course in Art and Design

1999 - 2014

Ci-Xin Waldorf School, Taiwan

Waldorf Education Senior High School Diploma  

QUALIFICATION

2014

International English Language Testing System (Academic)  CEFR level B2

2011

General English Proficiency Test  CEFR level B2

ADDITIONAL - SKILLS - AND - INTERESTS

Speaking Chinese, Taiwanese and English, having a passion for art, hand crafts, textile, sculpture, printing, bookbinding, photography, architecture,  gardening, crime novels and films, picnicking, playing badminton, sports and outdoor activities.

SPORTS

2016 - 2017

Member of Birmingham City University Badminton Club

Mountaineering

Mount Snow 3886M, Shei-Pa National Park, Taiwan, 2007 Mount Jade 3952M, Mt Jade National Park, Taiwan, 2009 South Lake Mountain 3742M, Taroko National Park, Taiwan, 2014

[che-an-l]

Professional Practice

25 Apr. - 11 May 2018

Grand Union and Craftspace

4/25 De-installation of Melanie Jackson’s Deeper in the Pyramid, Grand Union

This work involved metal panels lifting, taking any components down from the current show and cleaning.  The technicians were taking down the installation as I arrived.  I only assisted to carry those panels and components from 2nd floor to ground floor.  There’s no lifts at the gallery, so everything had to be moved by hands and taken to downstairs personally.  The aluminium (I presumed) panels were quite heavy, it’s about 50x50 cm.  It only took few hours to clear up the space, yet it really consumed my strength.  I felt like I just climbed a mountain but it was fun.  

。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。

Craftspace  

-Unit 15, Highgate Craft Centre, 8 Highgate Square, Birmingham B12 0DU-

is a charity based in Birmingham and works collaboratively regionally, nationally and internationally.  They build relationships between artists, people and organisations, and encourage the sharing of ideas, skills and knowledge.

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4/30  14:00 First meet-up

I spoke to Emma Larkinson the operation and development manager from Craftspace via e-mail few days before about this work experience module.  She said Emma Daker (another Emma) who leads  Shelanu Women’s Craft Collective would need some help.  We had a short meeting discussed my timetable and the tasks I could help with.

5/1 14:00-16:15 Making a project book.

My first day at Craftspace.  Emma showed me around the office and introduced me to other staff, including Amy, a MA student from our uni.  It is a very small unit (or you can call it a flat) inside an industrial building.  I was expecting to see a gallery or studio space.  I was wondering where do they run the workshops and the exhibitions.  Emma told me they usually collaborate with other galleries, institutes and communities like MAC, craft markets, local communities.  And the ‘Made in The Middle’ series was taken place at Parkside Gallery which I’ve seen last year.  That’s where their events take place.  Then I started my first assignment--The project book for Interlocking Stories which was one of the Shelanu project.  I put all the information together in a PowerPoint which will be printed out and put into archive afterwards. 

5/2  9:30-16:45  The project book/Craft fair mapping/COSHH research.

I brought my laptop today since I work really slow on a Windows computer.  I finished the project book from yesterday and transferred the file to the shared folder drive.  Then I started to look at the information of the craft markets.  Craftspace and their partnered artists and makers sell their works online and at the craft markets.  My job was to find out the information of Moseley Arts Market and Moseley Farmer’s Market like the dates, contacts, stall price and areas, application deadline, parking, etc., then compare the two.  

It was about 3 in the afternoon when I finished the market chart.  The next task was the research of Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) for the Shelanu workshop.  There are many different rules and guidance referring to different circumstances and industries such as metalwork, printing, catering, agriculture, engineering, beauty, baking and so on.  I gathered some sources and register charts regarding to the workshop for them to check, then next week, Emma will show me some certain items that may need to be checked based on the regulations.  The office was so warm and comfy that made me so sleepy.  I am not the one who can sit in an office for whole day I guess.

5/9 10:00-16:30  COSHH research for Shelanu workshop.

Emma gave me a COSHH register form and showed me some specific items in the workshop that may cause health problems, like chemical fluid, powder, gas, oil, etc. I had to check out all the safety data like the ones I did below for each item:

It took a lot of time to gather all the information.  I could only make a list and finish 3 items.

5/10   11:00-16:30  Meet Shelanu members/Collate workshop info into archive/Other tasks.

I was an hour late because of an incident on the bus.  

I met a SHELANU member today at the jewellery workshop.  I assisted her with cutting and mending the shape of the silver ring.  Emma let me take part in the jewellery production because I had some metalworking experience.  It was just a little bit of finishing.  They’ve done the most bits of the rings and ornaments.  The rest of the work was polishing, fixing and soldering the ornaments on the rings which would continue tomorrow with Charlotte the jewellery designer who runs the session.  Then the rest of the day I spent on the paper work like yesterday.

5/11 10:00-16:50  Help prepare the Shelanu session/Document the session, taking photos and writing a blog on social media

I met some other members from the workshop this noon.  My job was to film and take photographs of the session.  It was fun to watch them making jewellery.  It reminded me a lot about metalworking experience I had in Taiwan.  

Today’s session was the continuation of the previous ones.  Charlotte demonstrated to the group how to install and change the components on the dremel ( a fine jewellery sanding machine ), the use of Lacomit ( a kind of oil that prevent the covered area from plating the metal ) and how to apply it on the metal.  Everyone had a try on the dremel, then kept finishing the rings and the ornaments.  During the session, they encountered some technical and manual problems.  They discussed the problems and solved them in the end.  They were all very enthusiastic.  

Today was my last day at Craftspace.  After the workshop, I saved all the documents, films and photos I had done for Craftspace to their archive in the end of the day.  I didn’t have time to write the blog for the workshop, so I just wrote some bullet points as the note for them.

Emma invited me to an art event at B’ham Cathedral this September which will need some volunteers, and I was happy to join.  30 hour work placement was so quick that I felt like I didn’t do much when I left.  It was quite an experience to see how an art organisation works.  I hope I can engage more next time, not just paper work and watching.

Total hours: 30.5 hrs 

[che-an-l]

Research and resources

Online news and articles

1.Mass Surveillance , Wikipedia

2. Big Data, Mass Surveillance, and The Human Rights, Big Data and Tech Project , by Ajay Sandhu

3.’I’m glad that was on camera’: a case study of police officers’ perceptions of cameras. by Ajay Sandhu

4. UK mass digital surveillance regime ruled unlawful.  by Alan Travis, The Guardian

5. Glass event pavilion at the Michener Art Museum    http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/project-images/2012/19584/kierantimberlake/the-edgar-n-putman-event-pavilion-in-pennsylvania.html?img=1 

6. “Two Lines" glass installation by David Chipperfield

https://www.trosifol.com/fileadmin/user_upload/laminated_news/london_design_festival/London_Design_Festival_Center_E.pdf   /  

Article at dezeen:  https://www.dezeen.com/2011/09/21/size-matter-by-david-chipperfield-2/ 

Books

1.Adams, E. (1997)  Public Art- people, projects, process.  London Arts Board.

2.  Birmingham City Action Team.  (1992)  Context & collaboration: the International Public Art Symposium, Birmingham, 27-28 April 1990.  Birmingham: Public Art Commissions Agency.

3.Crabtree, A. (1996) Public art.  London: Academy Editions.