#penproject

[laurenrivero201]

Assignment #1 - Pen (No Paper)

Medium: Ink of pen, pen, canvas

Dimensions: 8 feet x 16 inches, 6 feet x 12 inches

For this assignment, I was instructed to create an artwork utilizing the whole entire pen that I had been provided. My first thought when I saw the prompt is to go crazy and do something I had never done before. I decided to utilize a canvas as one of my mediums since I had never used a pen on a canvas and thought it would be interesting. As a painter, of course it felt odd at first to use a pen since you usually wouldn’t see someone use a pen on a canvas. I am visually interested in patterns and their relationship with each other, especially patterns that look like they are from another world. I pretty much went with the flow and did whatever came to mind, not thinking too much of the outcome, rather, the process itself. Overall, I did like how this came out and I enjoyed using a medium I don’t have experience with.

[designatuniversity]

Project One : Pen Theme Research

Vivienne Westwood

Q: Vivienne Westwood writing a love letter to Malcolm McLaren in 1977.

Vivienne’s background:

Vivienne Westwood is known as the creator and author of the genre Punk, known as a popular pop cultural style within fashion, music and a social lifestyle. Punk in all broadness is meant to be politically diverse, against the norm of fascism and bring across the inequalities of society. Its need is to stimulate a rebellious defensive attack against the negative consequences of consumerism. She is also a practising vegetarian and animal rights activist.

Vivienne Westwood has been known to be politically vocal about her opinions on feminism, sexuality, political parties, her ideals and values within Industrial farming (animal farm) as well as having a rebellious outlook towards ‘sticking it to the man’.

She is one of the biggest social activists of her era, as well as being internationally recognised for being a feminist and battling fascism. She has had dealings with P.E.T.A and other charitable foundations to help support her views of being an environmentally friendly society and species which is contrasted with our way of life; everyday consumerism, through her work.

Her creative work consists of Political references which have a rebellious theme commonly to bring across her perspective. This perspective is consisting of her agenda which is to be more environmentally friendly and politically correct; to change societies views.

Within her design work she uses the medium of bold patterns, fabrics, layered design, mixture of materials, typography, mixed media, symbolic imagery and print work. How her work is unique is her use of ‘Punk”, by how it is controversial by its use of either political imagery prints, bold patterns, using spikes and harsh fabrics/materials and then the way her work is executed to be ‘performed’ on a world stage which are designs intention. This is due to Vivienne Westwood’s need to inform society about what she personally thinks about society.

Themes: Punk, Political propaganda, anti-fascism, feminism, activists and environmentalists.  

Supporting links:

http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/24335/1/vivienne-westwood-s-top-ten-political-moments

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivienne_Westwood

The Love Letter:

Her and Malcolm McLaren’s relationship consisted of the pair having various stores, art works, shows and overall designs together within their careers. Vivienne has stated that her relationship with Malcolm had many layers as well as forms yet in the end they had a business partnership and romantic involvement. The couple (Vivienne & Malcolm) married after her divorce from her first husband, then Malcolm managed The Sex pistols whilst inspiring Vivienne to do her design work and fashion. They opened notorious stores together after Malcolm’s success due to The Sex Pistols wearing Vivienne’s designs, one which was internationally celebrated as SEX brand.

1977:

·      Vivienne receives notorious recognition for her art.

·      Vivienne climbs the design ladder with her PUNK designs.

·      Becomes internationally recognised as a famous designer.

·      Malcolm and Vivienne create multiple business partnerships with abundant success.

·      PUNK fashion starts to go international, becomes a lifestyle

·      PUNK becomes a protesting political tool.

·      Vivienne Westwood gets international visibility through The Sex Pistol wearing her merchandise.

·      PUNK used as Vivienne’s self-expression.

·      PUNK used to educate society against fascism.