Well, it’s technically done! After initially planning on only extending the invitation to participate to the Maggie Walker community, I realized that I would just simply not receive the amount of involvement I was looking forward. So, I posted the link to the Google form (the one I created for people to fill out) on Facebook, my Instagram, and sent it to numerous family members. I received a grand total of 56 submissions. I copied and pasted them onto a Word doc, changed the font to one that seemed fitting for my content, and then printed them. I cut the responses into slips and folded them so that they could fit better within the apple. I also sculpted a new stem and sprayed painted it in gold, then dipping in flakes of gold glitter. I am pleased with the outcome of this project. I have dedicated a lot of my own time (outside of class) to ensure the completion of my sculpture before the deadline. However, I am still contemplating a title... I feel like there is just too much content in the holistic process and product of the sculpture to confine a simple name. I struggle with these sorts of decisions because I am so nervous that I will immediately regret my choice and spend an indefinite amount of time wallowing in my ineptitude. So, how do I overcome this insecurity of my own to give a name to a project which literally embodies the insecurities of over fifty anonymous people? (Do you notice the depth of content yet??) Anyways, I became more and more enamored by my embryonic concept as I continued to sculpt, design, and reflect. This project coincided with some very emotionally draining experiences in my personal life, so it has offered me an outlet for these feelings, not to mention inspired me to empathize with the suffering of others. I hope to continue expressing this thematic element in future projects because it is extremely important to me and possesses a multitude of perspectives to explore / express.
We did not get the chance to work on oil painting extensively in class; time was not on our side - but, then again, when is it ever? Anyways, I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the process of oil painting. I had always envisioned oil painters using, essentially, the same method as artists working in acrylics. It was fascinating to explore the concept of grisaille and brunaille. I really like that oil paints take a long time to dry, so you can mix the wet paints to create a gorgeously smooth texture. It definitely is a long and tedious process, though. The color I used as the base layer was not complementary to the Mr. Porato Head because I had not anticipated on this being my subject. I am pleased with the composition, though, as I like the juxtaposition of a very contemporary, childish subject and mature, sophisticated process. The brunaille was difficult because my canvas was already dark. I also positioned Mr. Potato Head in a place where the natural light casted shadows on it. I only kept it there because there was a specific angle I wanted to capture. The painting really started to come together when I began adding the white. I am a huge fan of the grisaille because it was very helpful for establishing the undertones, as well as blended seamlessly together. It simplified the process of distinguishing between highlights, shadows, and mid tones. It was incredibly satisfying to be self - aware as I painted so that I could mix the values and also observe each individual mark coming together to comprise the whole piece. Even though it is far from complete, I would consider this oil painting a success. I really want to explore this medium in the future, especially since I do not usually enjoy painting realistically because I find it so challenging and mentally taxing
Threading this was SO difficult! I hadn't really considered the logistics while I was making the holes; in fact, I had a sneaking suspicion that it would be complicated to thread, but I didn't really want to think about it... so I didn't. Anyways, I had to borrow some thread and a sewing needle from the Drama department (whoops!). I had to completely undone about 10 minutes worth of threading after I realized that I hadn't pulled the thread tight enough and hadn't cut it from the spool yet, so I would have had to individually pull each strand taut - a task which is made even more tedious and confusing when the threading is as randomized as I did it. After 15 - 20 minutes of untangling the thread and strategizing, I decided to just cut a really, really long section of thread and hope that it would be enough to go through all of the holes. It wasn't but you cannot tell at all that I had to thread it in two parts. Overall, I am pleased with the result. I like the chaos of the threading, especially in the places where the strands overlap and tug at one another. Currently, pieces of painter's tape are securing the loose ends because I could make myself use any more patience / problem - solving skills to figure out what sort of glue would be the best for the job. Also, after much deliberation, I decided to go ahead and have the link to my Google form posted on each Class Facebook page. I have also been contemplating whether or not I should extend my request for community participation to beyond MLWGS students and faculty. I guess that my only objection to doing so would be that the heart of the sculpture would no longer be so centrally focused on MLWGS specifically. I am going to wait two days, I think, and make a final decision based on how much feedback I have received by that time. Also, I have to either find my stem OR create a new one so that I can paint it glittery gold and attach it to the apple. Special thanks to Mrs. Mosley for dashing to the store after lunch so that I could finish spray painting today! This is exactly the metallic gold color I had envisioned. The spray paint dried surprisingly quickly. I have also been in contact with Dr. Lowerre about coordinating the best means by which I can inform MWLGS community about my project. He suggested I create a Google form that can be posted on itsLearning, so that is what I did. I am nervous about the amount of participation I will actually get and how this will affect my ability to meet the project deadline. However, I have been working on this project extensively out of class, so I think that that will count for something. Finally, my sculpture has been fired! I have now progressed to the latter part of the Artistic Process where I reflect on my inspiration and assess how my final additions will bolster the deliverance of this message. I wanted to finish spray painting all at one time, but I ran out of the gold and had to ask Mrs. Mosley if she was able to buy some more. I hope to finish as soon as she brings the new cans in!
By no means am I done with my sculpture, but today was the last official in-class Studio Day. I am satisfied with the progress I have made. The process has been tedious, but I enjoy the hands - on approach and physicality of working with clay. There are definitely aspects of the sculpture that are unsatisfactory, such as the unfortunate lilt of the apple form and rough spots in the clay, but I do not think that any of these imperfections will take away from the overall message. I shared with the whole class what my process has entailed, explaining how my plans for the next phase remain amorphous. After our brief discussion, though, I was convinced to return back to my original idea of soliciting community involvement by asking people to anonymously share negative experiences / comments which have henceforth affected them. I like the idea of containing this rotten mass of cruelty and ill - will within the core of the apple; the symbolism of it is conceptually profound yet somewhat obvious. I do not want people to be confused by my intentions when they view my sculpture; rather, I want for them to recognize that sometimes the best way to overcome negativity is by acknowledging that it exists within us all, but that we must learn to not let ourselves be relegated to prisoners of it. I poked holes around the hole of the apple so that I can “sew” it closed after placing the slips of paper inside the apple. The string will cross - cross over the hole, but leave some gaps so that the viewer can still see the mass of papers inside. I am excited to fire the sculpture and begin the next step in painting the apple and collecting the slips of paper. I have emailed Dr. Lowerre regarding his willingness to endorse my project, and I hope to hear from him soon...
This lecture by John Freyers was extremely different from the ones we have experienced so far. I think it is because Freyers' approach was unconventional and more of a conversation than a formal presentation. John Freyer is an artist, author, educator, and MLWGS parent. He earned his BA from Hamilton College and MA / MFA from University of Iowa. He is currently an Associate Professor of Cross Disciplinary Media at VCU's School of the Arts. Since the spring of 2018, Freyer has been a Tate Exchange Associate - the first every from the United States. His work is classified as social practice art, which Freyer describes as a form of "conceptual - based art incorporating works that involve different populations in communities." The central tenet of his ouevre is the inclusion of "accidental audiences" in galleries, museums, and public spaces. His research practice involves how conversation and storytelling, when paired with the circulation of everyday objects, enrich social ties between individuals and groups. Specifically, these tangibles are commodities, fetishes, and tokens. Freyer asserted that he generally classifies contemporary art as elusive to the general public because of its eclectic connotation. Therefore, he overcomes this barrier by naming his projects exactly as they are; his performance art project and award - winning novel All My Life for Sale followed his journey around the world as he searched for the new owners of his worldly possessions that he had sold on eBay. As an example of "audience participation," Freyer described how one woman gave his baseball cap back to him, saying that it was her own contribution to his project - even though she had already paid for the item. This small act of 'giving back' epitomizes the effect Freyer's research and experiments has on people by forcing them to follow their values when presented with an unusual situation.
While Freyer's programs are not traditional forms of art, the process of designing such extensive and empowering projects is an art form in itself. The location of Freyer's demonstrations becomes his canvas, the people his materials of choice, and the conversation and connections that he stimulate are the medium. Each individual 'exhibition' of Freyer's work is just another addition to the massive collage of trust, support, and optimistic he has fostered. There is no artwork more beautiful, colorful, or enriching than that of societal enlightenment.
Additional Resources: fiftyfifty.country/ m.richmondfreepress.com/news/2018/mar/16/personality-john-d-freyer/ www.temporama.com/ arts.vcu.edu/photofilm/people/john-freyer/ |
Archives
March 2021
Categories |