My idea for this project came about after online learning was reintroduced half way through the academic year. The Coronavirus pandemic meant that the whole world had to learn to function without in person interaction, taking over online spaces in order to create some sort of reality. Using the pandemic as a backdrop, I hoped to hone my interest in philosophy and explore the ways it relates to current events. I wanted to take on the issues that the online world creates; the ability to be ambiguous or anonymous when sharing information, causing misinterpretations resulting in fake news. Linking these modern issues to philosophical theories of reality, such as Plato’s Cave and Kant’s Nominal World, and using these as a reference to the idea of a lesser reality, a man made universe, the online world.
I hoped to solidify this concept with my research, finding connections between art, philosophy and current events by researching artists such as Magrette, who used his art to explore philosophical ideas and even created a series of paintings based on Plato’s Allegory. I also looked to artists that had developed their own philosophies, such as Mondrian who wanted to remove illusions from art by painting only 2-D shapes. This is where my project began to take shape, comparing Mondrian’s work to a video call screen, linking in elements of his philosophy as well as other theories.
Experiencing the effects of lockdown first hand meant that I was always aware of the issues the Corona virus had created but my research of current affairs became less imperative. In my initial brief I had proposed that I would be researching modern issues created by the online world, such as fake news but this became secondary as my research became more artist heavy. I struggled to direct my research towards current affairs as it didn’t seem to key into the project as much as I had first thought. Much of my focus went into finding visual stimuli, researching artists like Joseph Albers, Bridget Riley and eventually Barbara Kasten. Therefore, despite my research being less broad than originally intended, it discovered a significant level of inspiration in the art works I research, which more decisively shaped my project both aesthetically and philosophically.
Most of the artists I researched worked with 2D shapes, which became an interesting starting point for my project. Due to the fact the course was moved online, the resources available to me became limited. Following the move to online learning, I decided to experiment with digital art. In my previous projects I had used photo editing techniques to create some of my pieces and I thought I could draw on this skill in my digital experiments. My initial images and ‘gifs’ were created on photo editing software, but I quickly realised that if I was going to continue with these experiments I would need to invest in a graphics programme. I started using Inkscape which allowed me to create images using vector graphics, equipping me with the tools to create high quality digital work. Producing work this way meant that I was able to create a range of experiments quickly, tweaking and perfecting my experiments before moving to a less forgiving medium, such as paint, which I experimented with throughout the project. I enjoyed experimenting with paint as it allowed me to create something outside of the digital world, it reflected a human quality that couldn’t be reproduced on a digital screen. This further exemplified my initial concept of the digital world being lesser than the physical world, the digital work I created existed only in the online reality that I was examining.
The pandemic created a number of obstacles this year and the dramatic move to online learning rendered the usual presentation of work via sketchbook useless. Having to document my work online was a huge change and one I was hesitant to make. Working online didn’t come naturally to me, I was overly cautious and incredibly particular about what I was posting. This meant that some of my earlier ideas or research that I eventually abandoned were never documented, as I believed that all my work should be cohesive and orderly and I only wanted to share the work that I thought directly added to the progression of the project. Over time I realised that the only way to improve my project was to document as much as possible so I could review it critically. Once I let go of the notion of making all my posts perfect I found that I actually preferred working in a digital space to a physical sketchbook, as it took away some of the pressure I inflicted upon myself to present things neatly. The lockdown also restricted the resources that were available to me as I didn’t have access to the college. It was these restrictions that made me want to experiment with digital media, as it allowed me to create a range of pieces without needing any physical equipment. Presenting my work on a blog meant that my digital creations could be uploaded instantly, without the additional task of printing or photographing what I had made. Perhaps the biggest challenge of working online was the disconnection from other students and peers as well as tutors. It became difficult to find opportunities to have my work critically assessed by my peers or tutors, however, we were able to arrange some group crits over video call or through text.
At the beginning of the project I created a plan which briefly outlined the things I needed to do each week in order to stay up-to-date. I built up my plan over time. I always knew what I needed to do and I was constantly making lists about the tasks I needed to complete in the following days and weeks. I set aside time every day to work on the project, however, there were times when I was more productive than others. I found it difficult to move on from the research phase and begin experimenting. It took me a while to generate ideas because I didn't want to include any pieces that I didn’t deem successful. The shift to online learning meant I had to reevaluate the way I worked. I spent the majority of the project trying to find a way of working that suited me. I experimented with a range of timetables and techniques that are thought to improve productivity. I tried my best to remain up-to-date with the project and I was always conscious of the next thing I needed to do. Through the project I have discovered the importance of making mistakes, and the need to let go of my perfectionistic nature in order to create a successful project.
For all of my work I made a concentrated effort to reflect on what I had created, making sure to refer back to my original brief and some of my core ideas. I think my ability to annotate my work has improved throughout this project. At the beginning, I refrained from sharing any work that I didn’t feel was successful, this meant that my annotations were more focused on explanation of ideas and lacked critical analysis of the outcome. Throughout the project I have improved this skill, making consistent attempts to review my work fairly as well as gaining perspective from others, be it peers, or family members. I made a conscious effort to make my project consistent, focusing on similar concepts and forming clear links between my different outcomes. This meant that the work I produced didn’t explore a broad range of ideas, instead, my work remained fairly linear, always working on a similar idea that I developed over time.
The ideas and concepts put forward in my brief are present throughout my project. My consistent and precise approach to art meant that all of the work I produced was extremely relevant and formed part of my project's progression. Working digitally complimented the core concepts of my project, focusing on the digital world and the illusions it creates. Presenting them on a blog allowed them to stand out, which wouldn’t have occurred if they were cut out and put in a sketchbook. By building a concept around the idea of working online I was able to create a cohesive project, using carefully selected digital media and presenting it in an online space. The irony of the fact that I initially set out to explore the shortcomings of the digital world only to discover that the use of this medium enhanced my project was not one that was lost on me.
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