We spent the last 3 days of communications focussed on a final outcome that represents the word we were given. Mine is 'Skill'. I initially had a very abstract idea which revolved around this principle idea:
People are like water, most things are diluted in water and so water becomes more concentrated. Skill is diluted and absorbed by people.
Skill is a wave: It starts as a drop, a drop of curiosity. It rises and recedes with practice. It eventually becomes great and when it meets the end of its course and crashes upon rocks, it splashes drop of water back into the sea, drops of curiosity. That great wave, that splash, they are 'Legacy'. When ones skill reaches greatness, it splashes inspiration and curiosity to others and begins the cycle again.
I initially thought of that idea and planned to make a cast of a face with a physical representation of a transverse or longitudinal wave with increasing amplitude to represent the idea of increasing skill. When going over this idea with my tutor he explained to me that too much abstraction dilutes the idea. So I decided to pull out the focal point in this idea which was the wave.
With brainstorming and peer evaluation I decided that best course of action would be to construct a wave that has a spine and slowly add more material as the wave progresses upwards. The material of choice was paper mache because it is both cheap and easily molded. I experimented with paper mache because it's a quick and simple method of 3D counstruction. I wouldn't say it's a prefered method but for a quick project it worked nicely. When using paper mache there is room for error as I can go about fixing it easily, and so me have more time to develop ideas. Paper mache also gives me the ability to layer as much as I want to in every area.
i broke down the project into 3 stages:
I feel like gathering feedback is key because if you cannot communicate your idea and pass it on to others, then the piece, as a communications piece, wouldn't be successful. Also being simple is better than being complex, as to not dilute the meaning.
Reflecting back on the way I've worked I'd say I fast-walked rather than jogged.
I did not have the chance to complete the project, which only required painting, but I made and presented it successfully. I did receive peer evaluation on the end product as well.
- A little more research needed, a little more look into artists to develop from, but overall very good idea!
-If you thought of creating a video of a water wave, it would be actually amazing.
- Your initial idea had a great deal of depth, the analogy with whirlpools + skills gave it a new light.
-I liked the idea of looking into the way skill increases down generations, the act of passing it on is very strong.
- The wave is very neat (Imagining it with blue colours) Using paper mache/ newspaper gives a more roughed effect, using smoother material in the future would better portray a wave.
- The idea would be very clear (more than it is) if you were to display the word 'Skill' and a small sketch with the piece. However it needs a very small explanation to further my understanding of it.
The feedback given is good overall and so I deem this project a success.
'It is not when you are consciously competent that makes your great, it is when you are subconsciously competent'.
