Day time projections

With the photos I previously took from around the house, I have projected them to give a different impact upon the viewer. The day time light has restricted me, therefore I could only use two spaces within my flat. My aim is to make the images more than what they are, making them bigger or putting them in different places, attempting to gauge a reaction from the viewer, whether it be distress, humor, confusion or interest. Enlarging and projecting the images, I feel, amplifies my distress, taking the smaller things that don't usually bother me, and bringing them to the conscious of both myself and the viewer.

Focus

To continue with the theme of stress, I am focusing on parts of my home that don't necessarily stand out, however, I know they are there and constantly bother me slightly. I have taken close up photos of these in black and white in order to disguise what they actually are, therefore making the viewer wonder and look further into the work. Some may be more obvious than others, this could be a point to work on.

Stress levels reduced.

Due to personal circumstances, stress levels surrounding my own life have been reduced, therefore, I do not feel as 'chaotic' or uneasy about things anymore. I wanted to carry on with my project of stress, however, I felt the work I was producing was forced, not revealing my true feelings, other students noticed this too. After a tutorial and analysis of previous images, I have realized that the photos of my messy home represent how I was wanting to get away from the chaos, trying to find a calmer place (the ceiling, plain walls and surfaces, no clutter), thus why the images were sort of aerial shots. This was unintentional, and I feel my unconscious came through when taking these images. I have taken these thoughts, and created and other set of images, this time reflecting my calmer lifestyle. I laid on the floor, taking images of the ceiling and surrounding areas, showing that I feel I can cope and live with my everyday life.

Destruction and stressing of materials - Faux leather with insulated backing

Michael Landy is best known for his performance piece installation "Breakdown" in which he destroyed all of his personal objects. He made an inventory of everything he owned (7,227 items) and destroyed each one in a production line way, each stage the objects becoming more broken down.

Landy inspired work, destruction of materials, however, Landy used personal possessions to destroy,  whereas I am using found materials. Destruction of this material was done using scissors, taken to a point in which I could not physically do anymore due to pain in hands. 

Result of Restraint

These are the marks/drawings I made whilst reaching to touch the ceiling with different materials. I have also edited the images to see what effects they would give.

Original - Pen

Edited - Marks and indentations can be seen on this image.

Original - Crayon

Original - Paint

Edited - The marks on the image are more bold, and contrast well with the background.

Drawing Restraint - Influence

After a few tutorials this week I have been given many directions to take and artists to look at. I have chosen to look at Matthew Barney first. He created photos and videos from restraining himself whilst trying to make a drawing. The purpose of him doing this was to create resistance in his muscles, breaking them down, letting them heal, therefore making them stronger.

I have experimented with this technique, using materials etc that I have in my own home, however, I am creating work for a different purpose. Restraining myself, or not being able to do something easily frustrates me, and I wanted to create this experience for the viewer. I attached paper to the ceiling of my bedroom (which I cannot reach without step ladders) and photographed myself attempting to make marks on the paper with various materials by jumping and stretching. I experimented with camera effects in order to capture movement within the images. I feel this experiment was a success, however, I feel that I could push this idea further.

Abstract Feelings.

Experimenting expressing current feelings, channeling them towards art, using various materials: acrylic paint, wax, hot glue. The piece has a lot of texture and depth, with no clear subject, this is for the viewer to decide.