n i c o l a

A D A D 1 0 0 2   2 0 1 8

[drawforadream]

assessment 3 research // playing with siri

[wearbrownpants]

noise explorationnn

[wearbrownpants]

glitch - using technology in a broken way

[wearbrownpants]

[drawforadream]

noise

[drawforadream]

F I N A L   P R O J E C T   P O S T   3 / 3

concept statement

Humanity has almost always known how to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. From something as trivial as fashion trends, to more significant issues such as sickness and disease. However, what happens when we are faced with something remarkably larger, something that could quite literally change the world we live in. Unfortunately this is all too real and is unmistakably occurring. According to the Australian Academy of Science, climate change “is a change in the pattern of weather, and related changes in oceans, land surfaces and ice sheets, occurring over time scales of decades or longer”. These atmospheric, biological, hydrological and lithographic shifts have had drastic effects on planet Earth. Some already observable effects on the environment include shrinking glaciers, ice on rivers and lakes are breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner. NASA’s institute of Global Climate Change have also proven that “global climate is projected to continue to change over this century and beyond”. 

Rising sea levels, being a ramification of climate change, will also continue to proliferate as long as humans continue to emit copious amounts of green house gas into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, one of the major elements in green house gases, includes the exhaust of vehicles and industrial waste. Both factors are equally important in regards to the economy and people’s lifestyles. A question then was conjured; how do humans adapt to climate change if it is near impossible to stop?

The beginning of this project began with brainstorms. Climate change obviously was an idea of interest hence I followed down that path. A question of further interest that was created during the brainstorming process was rising sea levels means that humanity may be left with less habitable land in the future, so what would we do then? From there, I used practice-led research to explore and speculate some potential possibilities. The first practice-led research I did was using ink to create patterns relating to the topic of rising sea levels. I created a series of phrases such as “where will we go?”, “what will happen to us?”, and “what will happen to them?”. I was deeply interested in all of these questions. These experiments then deepened and intensified my concept further; I wanted to explore the ramifications humanity would have on the marine environment if we were to build down below and become submerged. 

The concept for my final project was stagnant for a while after those experiments. In response to that I went out on a little adventure to Botany Bay. Along the vast shores were crusty mounds of coral and seaweed. I cautiously walked along the beach collecting items of interest. I then drew the pieces I had collected using black ink. I liked the images I had created and enjoyed the freedom I had using practice-led research. One experiment in particular was the key to unlocking my final concept. Using a fine point pen, I drew a piece of coral I had found on the beach. I then recorded myself painting over the drawing using black ink. The footage was strangely satisfying to watch. At one point in the video, before the drawing is completely engulfed by the black ink and after it is pristine and perfect, the coral is washed out with a dark, sickening grey. Once it had dried, the drawing had gained a whole new meaning; marine ecosystem’s are no longer pristine and untouched. Imagine how much worse they will become once we become submerged? Watercolour and ink were also used together in a practice-led research experiment however the outcome was put shame against the harmonious result I had achieved with ink and pen.

Using speculation as an artistic lens, I am portraying the potential of what our marine ecosystems may become in the future once humanity becomes submerged. I am captivated by the humble beauty and intricacy of aquatic species, hence I was drawn to their biological and intrinsic importance. Through my major work I have chosen to portray the potential environmental degradation that could occur if humanity’s relationship with the ocean was to become more intimate than ever.

bibliography

• What is Climate Change?, Australia, Australian Academy of Science, https://www.science.org.au/learning/general-audience/science-booklets-0/science-climate-change/1-what-climate-change, (accessed 16 September 2018).

• How Climate is Changing, NASA Global Climate Change, https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/, (accessed 16 September 2018).

• Greenhouse Gases, Climate Change in Australia, https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/climate-campus/climate-system/greenhouse-gases/, (accessed 16 September 2018).

[drawforadream]

F I N A L   P R O J E C T   P O S T   2 / 3

[drawforadream]

F I N A L   P R O J E C T   P O S T   1 / 3

[drawforadream]

A S S E S S M E N T   2   P R O G R E S S 

Using a fine point pen I’ve created some seaweed and coral designs. They won’t look this pristine for much longer though..

[drawforadream]

E X P E R I M E N T   5   //   watercolour & ink

Instead of pen and ink I tried using watercolour and ink. Obviously the watercolour ran when the ink made contact, but I’m not too sure about how it turned out. It was heaps of fun painting the different species but after I applied the ink and began that process of quite literally ‘destroying’ the coral’s beauty and functionality, each piece lost its effectiveness. I am going to use pen and ink for my final work. 

[drawforadream]

E X P E R I M E N T   4   //   ink and pen

I recorded a short video of the process of me painting over a drawing of a piece of seaweed with ink (I would’ve posted the video but I couldn’t get rid of the sound which I wanted to because my neighbour was screaming in the background because he goes for the Rabbitohs and they were losing because they suck). Hm. Anyway, I found this process quite intriguing in the way that it visually conveys humanity’s upfront carelessness toward the marine environment (and the environment in general). So if we were to become submerged, imagine how much worser we would treat our immediate environment. 

I want to continue using both these materials just because they work so harmoniously together. But before I start my final project I want to experiment with ink with watercolour to see if I can add a bit of colour in my work.

[drawforadream]

E X P E R I M E N T   3

Drew some of the seaweed I collected from the little expedition I embarked on. From this experiment, I’ve realised the amount of detail I’m able to capture using a fine point pen. I’ll continue down this path. I also want to try and experiment with both ink and pen and see what I’m able to achieve.

[drawforadream]

E X P E R I M E N T   2

Experimented with ink as a material, used different marine species of flora as my subjects.

[drawforadream]

a lil adventure

Discovered some amazing coral/seaweed species on a little trip down to Kurnell. I really love the patterns and formations these organisms have. I’ve collected a few others species and have taken them home. I have some ideas as to what I’m going to do with them, but I’m just really happy I was able to get out and find some amazing things!

[sammyadad1002-blog]

 Appropriating Frida Kahlos self portrait with cropped hair. She includes a quote from a traditional Mexican folk song, “look if I loved you once it was because of your hair. Now that you are without hair, I don’t love you anymore”. Kahlo investigates the implication that once a woman looses something ‘uniquely feminine’ she is now undesirable/worth less. Similarly with our appropriation we  put forward a contemporary exploration of feminine identity/worth through Pit-bulls ‘ionic’ lyrics:).

[drawforadream]

E X P E R I M E N T   1

Used ink and a wide brush to create an array of pieces based off of the relationship between humans and their environment. Wasn’t expecting anything, just dove in to it. I loved using ink as it flowed nicely and writing the statements were enjoyable. 

I am drawn to the idea of humanity becoming ‘submerged’ under the ocean’s surface. Although a fear for many, including myself, sometime in the distant future it may become a reality. These experiments were fun to do and I look forward to creating more.

[courtneymcclellandadad-blog]

Affect and Body Politics: Class activity

Exploring the relationship between chairs and the social constructs of the body.

[drawforadream]

assessment 1 // poster & statement

I feel a strong connection to the natural environment thus this was something I wanted to explore. Our natural environment is phenomenal and works in bodacious ways in order to upkeep its dynamic equilibrium. However climate change is a reality that the world and its ecosystems are facing. The Earth’s waters are warming, the global mean sea level is rising and natural cycles are drastically changing. It almost seems impossible to try and fix this problem added that, although it has been proven humanity has a lot to do with it, we are unaware of why climate change is occurring. 

So I thought, why don’t I try to think of how humanity might adapt to a changing environment. As I mentioned before, waters are rising. What if one day, some time in the far future, half of the worlds habitable land is submerged under metres of water. Where will we go? Populations are proliferating worldwide and we may not have the amount of space or materials to consolidate. So why not build underwater? Why not adapt? This concept was really interesting to me, and although it seemed ideal at first, reality soon engulfed my optimism. Aquatic ecosystems and ecologies would certainly be at a risk. Unlike terrestrial biomes, aquatic ecosystems take a significantly longer amount of time to adapt to environmental changes, both sudden and gradual. 

Thus, if humanity was to one day build an underwater metropolis, what would the ramifications be on its surrounding aquatic environment? In particular, I want to focus on the affects on coral life and oceanic fauna. Submerge is the title of my work for assignment 1 and so far assignment 2 and I want to explore how climate change and humanity are inadvertently and purposely effecting the environment. Artists Fiona Hall and Alamshah Fereshteh work with installation art and sculpture to harshly critique climate change and the impacts it has on humanity and the environment. 

Both artists have a very simple and profound concept, yet intricately portray this to their audience. However through simple lines and patterns I want to try and see how I can affect my audience in regards to climate change.