COFA1002

[yinbing]

Assessment 3: Planning

GROUP: Tracy & Yin Bing CONCEPT: From nothingness to everythingness and vice versa EVENT: Art exhibition POSTER: A collage/graph on the stages of a person's life COURSE CONCEPTS: Thinking through media, divergent, convergent, reverse engineering.

[yinbing]

Assessment 2 - Documentations & Output

For this assessment, I am going to document and propose a design of how I want my kaleidoscope to look like. So, instead of creating one for my output, I will propose my idea.

Documentation 1:

Research on the history of kaleidoscope

http://inventors.about.com/od/kstartinventions/a/kaleidoscope.htm

-          1816, kaleidoscope was invented by a Scottish scientist, Dr. David Brewster

-          Named his invention after Greek words: ‘kalos’ – beautiful, ‘eido’ – form and ‘scopos’ – watcher = means ‘beautiful form watcher’

-          A kaleidoscope is a tube that contains loose pieces of colored glasses and pretty objects. They are reflected by mirrors/glass lens set an angle – which creates patterns when viewed through the end of the tube

-          Late 1870s, Charles Bush (American) improved on the kaleidoscope and started the kaleidoscope fad 

http://www.thekaleidoscopebook.com/thescopebook/scope-resources/kaleidoscope-history?showall=1&limitstart=

History of Kaleidoscope in Japan

-          First appeared in 1819, brought over by the Western of the East India Company

-          During the period when feudal age came to an end, kaleidoscopes were known as ‘Hyaku-iro Megane’ which means ‘mirror tube with hundred colors’

-          Were enjoyed as toys among the children

-          Many Japanese artists who make world-class kaleidoscopes

-          First kaleidoscope museum in the world was opened in Japan

-          1997, Brewster Society of Japan was founded

Documentation 2:

Research on the types of kaleidoscopes and how it works

http://www.jcrafts.com/eg/shop/special.asp?id=aritayaki_kale

-          A teleido type – lens attached to end of tube. Enjoy different patterns from surroundings and everyday objects

-          A dry type – with a sealed chamber with small objects and a mirror system

-          An oil type – with a sealed chamber with small objects filled with oil (to slow the objects) and a mirror system

http://inventors.about.com/od/kstartinventions/a/kaleidoscope.htm

How do they work?

-          Creates reflections of reflections of a direct view of the objects at the end

-          Image will be symmetrical – mirror angle is even divider of 360 degrees; A mirror set at 60 degrees – generate a pattern of six regular sectors; Mirror set at 45 degrees – eight equal sectors, set at 30 degrees – twelve equal sectors

-          Lines and colors of simple objects – multiplied by mirrors into a visually stimulating vortex

Documentation 3:

Research on the different mirror systems and the patterns it could produce

The notes on this paper (above) is based from this link: http://www.thekaleidoscopebook.com/thescopebook/scope-resources/kaleidoscope-mirror-systems

To summarize the notes on the paper: A 2-mirror system kaleidoscope forms a circular image - a mandala

- A 3-mirror system, forms a 'continuous reflecting pattern; a honeycomb-like pattern

-The no. of reflections is determined by the angle

(from top to bottom): a 2-mirror system pattern with an angle of 36 degrees, 3 mirror-system patterns with an equilateral shape and  a 30, 60, 90 degrees shaped triangle)

http://www.thekaleidoscopebook.com/thescopebook/scope-resources/kaleidoscope-mirror-systems?showall=&start=2

http://www.thekaleidoscopebook.com/thescopebook/scope-resources/kaleidoscope-mirror-systems?showall=&start=3

Documentation 4:

Research on Japanese artists 

http://www.jcrafts.com/eg/shop/special.asp?id=aritayaki_kale

Koji Yamami

-          World renowned kaleidoscope maker

-          Creates the first world porcelain’s kaleidoscopes: Arita-yaki

-          Arita-yaki kaleidoscopes have been exhibited at the Krakow National Museum (Poland), & the World Kaleidoscope Exhibition (America)

-          Kaleidoscopes are proven to have healing effects such as relieving stress, to exercise the right-brains of children – to improve creativity and concentration

-          By looking at the beautiful surface, experience the magical world that expands out from the other side of the tiny hole

-          Miniature universe inside the tube

http://kaleidoscopes.jp/eng/artists_hosono.htm

Tomoo Hosono

-          Main lines of scope – teleidoscope

-          Offers several different mirror configurations; includes 4 different types of 3 mirror systems and 2 mirror systems that produce 2 to 15 images

-          Makes a variety of 2 mirror scopes with 2 to 23 point star images as well as different types of 3 and 4 mirror scopes

-          Main media – stainless steel and brass

Documentation 5:

Research on kaleidoscopes as a healing tool

http://www.newtimes.org/issue/9705/97-05-knm.html

“Kaleidoscopes and Mandalas as Healing Instruments: by Dawn Stansfield

-          Significant contributors to a person’s overall health and well-being

-          Susan St. Thomas said,” Mandala means ‘holy circle’ in Sanskrit”

Symbolizes a person’s reintegration with the divine

-          Barbara Mitchell

Elevated the kaleidoscope to an instrument for healing, inner peace & providing inspirational entertainment

Soothes and stimulates à a perfect balancer (for mind, body and spirit)

http://www.thekaleidoscopebook.com/thescopebook/scope-resources/kaleidoscope-healing-powers

“Kaleidoscopes … The Hidden Healer” by Marcia Clark

-          Fosters calmness & balance, helps one to focus, enhances creativity, raise spirits, relaxation and reduces stress

Can also be attributed to the mandala pattern that is presented with the 2-mirror system

-          Engages both sides of the brains à problem solving

-          Primary element à multitude colors

Documentation 6:

Based on the photos below, I played around with the idea of reflection and designing new patterns with it. I've just made a few simple images via Paint. Unfortunately, Paint only offers rectangular crops so patterns are very limited. However, through this practice I learned the aesthetic relationship one image can have and produce.

  Documentation 7:

The images are from an application that I have downloaded to experiment on. The application is called "Kooleido Lite". I print-screened series of this images and formed a gif via http://gifninja.com/

This kaleidoscope pattern forms a mandala. Hence, I can assume that this kaleidoscope pattern is formed with a 2-mirror system.

Documentation 8:

I have experimented on another application called "Kaleido Free" where I can design my own kaleidoscope pattern. This application is easy to use, it has various colors and designs to choose from. It also records the process in creating the design. I have created a rather simple one with this application using the 2-mirror system.

(PS. The video is going to be in the next post.)

Documentation 9:

I had also experimented on "Kaleido Lens", where I can use my own photos to produce the kaleidoscope pattern. The feature of this application reminds me of the teleidoscope because it changes and captures your surroundings and turns it to a world of kaleidoscopic patterns. The patterns are in a honeycomb-like form.

Documentation 10:

Lastly, I have experimented with 'Adobe Photoshop CC'. It was my first time using Photoshop and so I went on to Youtube to look for good tutorials. I have learned it through Helen Bradley's "Photoshop - Make a Kaleidoscope". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9Iawpx7Pxo&list=PLSX9OcKm6CJPluTQCbaCmBIOPvgR71aSN&index=2

(The images below is also based on the photo from Doc. 5)

[yinbing]

Documentation 7 ("Kaleido Free" video)

[yinbing]

I decided to propose my idea of a kaleidoscope. The aim is  It will be a teleido-type where one can enjoy their surroundings with kaleidoscopic images through the lenses. Besides that, it could help the person for a change in scenery and to help relax the mind. Firstly, instead of a normal kaleidoscope which consists of one tube with either a 2 or 3-mirror system, my teleidoscope will have two tubes. Each tube will have a 2-mirror system and a 3-mirror system respectively. Hence, the viewer can enjoy two types of patterns of the same surrounding.

Secondly, the exterior will be made up of cardboard to give the teleidoscope a sturdy frame. The exterior will also be wrapped with wrapping paper so it would not look dull. The viewer can view the kaleidoscopic images through the front tip of the teleidoscope which will be in a shape of a mini binoculars. Lastly, at the end tip, two clear marbles will be placed to act as the lenses.

[yinbing]

Alien methods - proposal We’ve planned to create a sculpture based on the combination of two artworks t - Louise Bourgeois’ ‘Maman’ and HA Schult’s ‘trash people’. It consists of a spider sculpture with a height of 11ft ( with its original
Scale of 33 ft high and 30 ft wide) and a width of 10ft. It will be displayed at a place where there are lots of pedestrians. The pedestrians will be allowed to throw thrash or garbage at the spider. The spider poses as something menacing and will attack the pedestrians, and she’s protecting her children (those marble eggs) on her belly. Through the recreation of combining two artworks together, it represents a connection between human and animals which they all protecting and defending themselves against unpredictable circumstances.

[melanie-cofa1002]

Week 6 - Uncreativity

The term ‘Uncreativity’ shouldn’t be taken the wrong way. It is a recontextualisation of existing works. We took the opportunity to ‘remix’ the famous Pusheen series with other creatures and things that may seem unorthodox in the known style.

[renatcofa1002]

Uncreativity!

We based this on the Four Chord Song by the Axis of Awesome. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pidokakU4I

[sasukeluvercofa1002]

Week 5 Task:

We had to take an advertisement of any sort, either something controversial, stupid or even really good and utilising a few of its elements to give it a new meaning, making it either better or worse. 

Our group took a controversial Kate Upton advertisement for a burger and made a parody still shot.

[yinbing]

Week 4

This was what our group did... (our group consists of Ailisha, Renmark, Tracy and me)

We gathered items from our bags such as a banana, an iPad, stapler bullets, an eraser and a glove. We then invited some of our classmates to participate in our activity. The participants are to close their eyes and guess the color of the object that was placed in their hands.

We stacked up electronics that we had with us ie. iPhones, iPad and (an extinct?) LG flip phone. Ailisha then stacked up pens and pencils -Jenga style and had strips of post-it papers on each corner.

This assemblage of modern technology and pens remind me of a tomb or maybe a ritual.

Ideas by my classmates of our work.

[yinbing]

Assessment 1 - Essay

The definition of conceptual can be defined as materials relating to concepts or forming new ideas. On the other hand, the term ‘mapping’ can be defined as the act of producing a map. The phrase, ‘conceptual mapping’ will then mean as forming new ideas through the process of creating maps. The aim of mapping ideas is so that we can look into more specific details and hence, looking at a different perspective. Furthermore, we map out ideas so a broader topic can be broken down and it may be easier to understand with simpler terms.

  A conceptual map is different from maps such as a road map. Conceptual mapping can take many forms such as mapping out a simple mind map, mapping out by taking photographs of places or items, mapping out on walls by using strings or thin strips of papers and many more.

  The exhibition, ‘1969: The Black Box of Conceptual Art’ was recently exhibited in Sydney. Noon Time-piece (April) by Roger Cutforth was what inspired me in forming my conceptual map. His work consist of a calendar showing the dates of April 1969 that was marked off, a card showing the precise grids of New York and thirty photographs of the sky. These photographs were shot in noon on each day.

  The Conductor: mta.me was created by Alexander Chen where he incorporated New York’s subway structure into an interactive string device. The artist used Massimo Vignelli’s 1972 Diagram as the backdrop of his project and the original schedule time from the MTA. He maps out the time when the train starts to move and the route each train uses. The artist had also incorporated trains that were not in use as ‘ghost trains’.

  The African Diamond by Franz Ackermann was a piece of work that I find most interesting. It is interesting on how the artist has mapped out a series of issues such as globalization and the economy surrounding Africa through his work. I believe he had done some research on the history of diamonds that Africa has. This is because the history of diamonds in Africa dates back to 600 million and 3 billion years ago.  The images on the sculpture consist of the stones and the geographic features of Africa.

  Marcel Dzama’s depiction of the Winnipeg Map is what I find something in a fairy tale. Unlike maps with scales and grids; his map is filled with mythical beasts prowling unexplored territories. However, he includes distinct features such as the Red River which separates the map. He then plants mythical creatures on famous landmarks, for instance, beasts biting into the Legislative Building. Moreover, in his map there were signs of the artist’s own personal details like ‘The Dzama Household’ and the artist’s recurring figures such as bears, bats and witches with pointy hats.

  Consequently, conceptual maps are different from normal maps and it can take different forms. Conceptual maps are unlike normal maps because it takes on a different perspective, it explores details.

[yinbing]

Assessment 1 - Map

My idea of a conceptual map is loosely based on Roger Cutforth's Noon time-piece (April). 

These photographs are the images of UNSW main walkway. It was taken from the higher staircase during a weekday- Thursday. The aim of these photographs was to map the different times of the day and the activities during that particular time.

(From up to bottom) The time that the photos were taken: 7.40 am, 10.47 am, 12.45 pm, 2.38 pm and 4.40 pm.

[yinbing]

University of Sydney Art Gallery

Today we had an unexpected field trip to University of Sydney Art Gallery. It felt like I was going on an adventure with my classmates.

The aim for this trip was to visit the art gallery and to get the idea of what conceptual mapping is and to create one of ours.

My idea of conceptual mapping was counting the number of bus stops while sitting in the bus. And while walking, I switched on my camera and just held on to it. This records the surroundings and the time it took for me to reach the university.

University Art Gallery ~~

[sasukeluvercofa1002]

This week we had to bring an object and from that object create a bigger object within a collaborative group Our class object was a simple a4 piece of paper and from that created a bunny house with a windmill and bunny :)

[yinbing]

Found this last year, on the shelf at Borders' Bookstore at Curve, Malaysia. Cheeming Boey's blog posts are awesome!