Blog Set Topic : Crossroads 2.

As a second year part time mature student I have enjoyed the challenges which I have faced from the four units undertaken this term.

September. Group D3, Fine Art.

This term was a new experience for me, I was now placed in a much larger group of students, which meant as well as having more opinions to consider this also gave greater diversity to the group.  From the first day it was a mind opener, with four various installation to contend with.  For the first part of the day I guess it was a case of letting the mind settle and getting into the flow of things.  I was confronted with new and exciting experiences to investigate.  Moving images,sound installations and quick thinking perspective gave me an adrenalin rush.  As a part time student I was given the opportunity to study on a full time basis.  P.S. When I first receive any new brief I have a tendency to develop my first idea without fully comprehending the brief, I am now learning to identify this problem.  For the next couple of days I worked independently using my camera and sketch book observing a cocooned London.  Finishing the first week by returning to college and working from 2d to 3d, back to 2d.  Weekend research.  Saatchi Gallery, Royal Court Theatre and V&A.

Second week.  Developing my 3d structures, encountering some highs and lows, by Thursday my concept was coming together with a few modifications for Friday. Unfortunately on the Friday morning of the Fine Art Crit, I was involved in a traffic accident.  I was hospitalized and out of action for ten days.  At this point I would like to thank everyone for their support.

Rotation 2.  Vis Com week 2.

I returned to college for the second week of Vis Com.  My approach and ideas were a little confused, I guess due to my health.  However, I embraced the topic,"Tell Somebody Something".  I somehow feel I used this as a therapy to aid my recovery.

Rotation 3.  Spatial Design and 3D.

I came onto this project with the same enthusiasm as for Fine Art.  My experience as a carpenter/builder has enabled me to see the potential for developing this topic.  Indeed, I would have said, prior to me undertaking this course that this was where my expertise lay and where I should choose to study.  However, my destiny is else where!

Rotation 4.  Fashion and Textiles.

I approached this unit with more than a little doubt.  I was not sure what to expect, but I fully intended to embrace this project.  During the course of my research I felt a growing maturity and development in my work.  This enabled me to understand on a broader scale as to how I can incorporate each project within Fine Art and how Art in all its forms is interrelated.

Coming to Chelsea has been a cathartic experience for me.

With the knowledge I have gained and the thoughts and opinions of fellow students and tutors I have decided to take Fine Art as my chosen subject.

Patrick Mc Fadden.
31st October 2010

Books bind together using different materials. approx 10cm X 10cm. many types of paper, using all kinds of implements to create markings.

Second week into Fashion and Textiles, starting to come together, feeling much better from my accident, I'm now able to stand for longer periods, this gives me more control with my sketching and cutting, much more fluid movement, as for when I was sitting for long periods my work was more restricted and I guess it also restricted my thinking, will see on Friday?

Patrick, in West of Ireland it's Poric, Pauric or Padraig. Me! Poric.

on top of Kesh Hill.

At long last!  I make the effort to Blog, should be fun, I hope?  This past few weeks has been a little crazy, on the last day of my fine art rotation I was involved in a traffic accident.  Rrecovering well.  Not wanting to miss out on the rotations I did manage to return for the last week in visual communications.  How did I do?  Really enjoyed 3d spatial, one or two highs and lows, guess that's expected from time to time.  Now in Fashion and Textiles, first day went real well, second day, not so sure with what's happening? but I'm sure I'll come up with the goods.  Got one more week to go.  Visit to the Tate Britain recently, viewed the Eadweard Muybridge, some great camera work, and to think that was all those years ago pictures in motion, really great, I will need to revisit.  I like the Tate Britain, could be for the fact it's just across the road from the College? however I like the visits, mainly for short periods and with that I seem to be more relaxed, digest more.  One small room keeps drawing me in, the artist's name is Peter Lanyon, maybe it's because his work seems so simple, his sketches are very simple, not a great deal to look at, but some how those sketches and sculptures all pull together with that wonderful large painting on the end wall.  Fiona Banners work with Harrier and Jaguar, very impressive. The thinking behind the whole idea?   Sept 28th I had been to the Serpentine Gallery, breakfast Private view.  Kensington Gardens tour. Anish Kapoor, Turning the World Upside Down, overcast on the day, but never the less was very impressive.  I had the luxury of been transported about on an electric baggie, provided by the Hyde Park appeal, for those with restricted mobility, operates May - Oct.  Check it out again soon, would love to experience while the sun shines and being able to walk.  Managed to get to the Hayward Gallery on the last day of the New Decor - Ernesto Neto, just before my accident, had a swim in the pool, very cold!  not what I was expecting, but out from that it sure was worth the visit, the steel monumental sculpture, the tunnel, intestine passageway with double layers of materials, holding spices, plywood structure, hundreds of meters of fabric stitched by hand. Could not relate to all in the New Decor, maybe I needed another dip in the pool?