Lost In Translation

Lost In Translation is one of my favourite films and the style that Sofia Coppola films in is something I find really influencing. At the beginning of the film there is just a shot of one of the main characters behind. It is very simple but I think a very good way to start the film, the slight movement tells so much even from something so simple. The simplicity is something I look to do in my own work.



Image taken from: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJJvCEHhRwy-kdok14uaFp8GPGL5S8mLKNPi_lk9a_tO8dWpsyD6Ah4PrXXyPZpcbftbasE1uT3WKdGsCjWZDSqe9o5fzljlYdZjYDPsKhtfrM_PXDhfhu7dJhX0d1pxrB5XWfh5Sx18/s1600/Scar-Jo.jpg

Site Project continued..

For the Site project that lasted only a week, I had a very interesting week. Vaguely based on the idea of the Fortune trees in Japan I approached people asking them to write anything down on a strip of paper which I would then place around the uni to be found. I found that this was the best way to get a large respond in such a short amount of time. I also tried leaving a notice to invite people to write things down but the response was low.

Over the week I began to find asking people very stressful and that they were not compliant. I also began to panic because I hadn't made it clear that these strips of paper were to be found and read again. I decided to not use the written strips of paper and began just folding blank pieces. I had no idea that there were so many precautions to take when involving people.

For the final piece I stuck the blank pieces of paper along the stairwell in the entrance to Chatham, hoping that people would pick them up along the way. When they did they would find it would be blank, this is my idea that if you are so closed to writing down something you are not going to get something back in return!

Visually the folded pieces of paper worked well and I would definitely like to go back to this project but alter it some how. I could maybe create a table inviting people to share their thoughts and make it very clear they will be read. This project was a nice back into term break and I thought doing something simple would be the best approach, and it was also very easy to clear up at the end of the day, which is all that the piece was supposed to be up for.

Site Project

After the Christmas break, and coming back to Uni, the course was set a one week brief, 'Site 2011'. The idea is to create a piece of work that has to be exhibited around the campus, but the challenge is to decide how and which space you will use, and why it is important that you used it.
I have began asking myself many questions as to what I have to consider and what I may do. Having worked with Video over the last term it is not immediately my first thought to do that. The execution of the piece seems only brief and I think I want to incorporate this 'one minute there, the next it's gone' into the piece.
My immediate ideas are to include people into the piece and ask them to write a thought down, and I will tie them to trees outside, as can be found with fortunes in Japan.




Images from:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2655/3720536010_52a4824e93.jpg

http://www.traveladdicts.connectfree.co.uk/Japan/Images/paper_tied_on_tree_at_Heian_Shrine.jpg

Bruce Nauman

When watching Bruce Naumans piece, I found it quite interesting in the idea and concept, and how he moves around the square. But this seems to me it would be more effective for me personally to see something like this live in a space. I think this is because I got impatient rather quickly and found myself skipping ahead to see what would happen. It seems to be that when watching videos online there is this subconscious rush to see the whole thing and get the information quickly. I think that when it comes to viewing this piece, how it is viewed definitely effects it. If i were to watch this in a lecture or see it live I think it's impact would be totally different.

On the subject of the nature of Naumans work, I can see some relations to my own current practice but also it has a totally different subject. He is performing to the camera, where as in my work I would like to think there is a much more honest approach and that the viewer understands what they are seeing in a 'it is what it is' aspect. I am not performing I am being honest and not putting on a show, as I am exploring the reality of our self projections and portrayals

Bruce Nauman

New Year New Start

I feel I have definitely neglected my blog over the holidays but have set myself an action plan for this term:

Email Contacts for networking such as Nelly Ben Hayoun
I would also like to travel somewhere, and have been fortunate to have contacts in New York I wish to pursue.
Create a website of my work.
Continue making self portrait videos
Explore and research the different ways the videos can be portrayed what happens in them.
Set up a live Art Piece in the Link Gallery.

There is a lot I want to get fitted into this term.

The idea I have behind the live art piece is that people can walk past me, or stand and watch and I want to know how that makes me feel, being filmed at the same time. I like the idea of exploring total vulnerability, and I also want people to note down what they think of me whether they know me or not.