Group Project - Pyramid

This group project started out with six people, four girls, two boys.  Oh Yes! one of the boys dropped out and guess who stayed on?  Somewhat slow to get this project up and started, but after a couple of meetings it was decided to erect a pyramid in the parade ground for tomorrow.  We decided to have a dry run in the studio.  Collected all the materials and at the same time we had to provide a plan and description in order to pass health and safety reg. etc.  The plan for tomorrow is to meet up at 8.30am in the studio, take all materials out on to the parade ground and re-erect the pyramid.  Shouldn't be a problem-should we all work together!  Hope to have some kind of interaction both inside and outside the pyramid?

On reflection, the planning for this project was not the best, but I'm sure we have all come away with some knowledge for future reference?  Interesting feed back from the overall group.  One question was if we'd had documented the process? the answer was no.   Another question wanted to know if the pyramid was the Art and I think I'm right in saying we all agreed it was a place.  A place for interaction, to sit inside or outside and inter into discussion.  Story tell, or whatever?
Would I get involved with group projects in the future?  Yes I would!  I'm sure we have all learnt from this valuable experience.  The most important thing I have learnt from this project is that one should embrace the acceptance of success and failure.

The past two days has really been a fanatic experience.  The weather has been glorious, bringing out many people with lots of interest and interaction with the pyramid.  Unfortunately some of the group had felt that the project was a failure and had figured on dismantling the pyramid, but after a discussion yesterday afternoon it was decided to stay with our original  plan.  I was delighted when we all saw that the doubts that had previously been expressed were dispelled.  The many interactions and experiences that the pyramid had created to me justified all the hard work and angst that had gone into this project.  This morning I found some turf, (peat) which had been used in the triangle exhibition up until yesterday.  I decided to use five sods of turf and create a footing on the green.  It was interesting to see how the sun light created changing shadows as the day progressed.  At times it reminded me of a Dolmen and then again it could be Stonehenge?  Really wanted to have a fire with the turf,  sit around and tell stories, but I'm sure that would have caused problems with health and safety!  It was best to leave it be, another time maybe?  With a slight breeze, causing the foil on the pyramid to make a sound like the ocean, very relaxing.  2pm this afternoon we dismantle the pyramid, all over with, in a matter of minutes.

Dolmens or Portal Tombs

Would like to thank the staff at Carpet Express, Lupus St, SW1V 3EE
Very helpful with supplying the cardboard tubes, the blue tubes - I guess
were for storing carpet grips etc.  Hope to reuse in another project.

Travelling Light

Travelling Light showing at the Lyttelton Theatre-National Theatre.
This play tells the story of the early years in Eastern Europe and later in America, of the development of cinematography, with a moving performance by Anthony Sher.  This play connected to the "Eyewitness" Hungarian Photography in The 20th Century, exhibition at Royal Academy of Arts, last year.
This development of early cinematography shows the important place of European immigrants to the development.  What was interesting for me in this play was the fact that an innocent passion can develop into an almost compulsive obsession when striving for perfection.

                     Video: Travelling Light trailer ... 

                       The Press Photographer's Year 2011 - Exhibitions - National Theatre

                       Take a view - Landscape Photographer of the Year

Exhibition of award winning photographs.  The natural ecolagy can be captured in the moment of time.

                         

At Swim Two Boys

Went to see Earthfall's lyrical dance-theatre adaptation of Jamie O'Neill's acclaimed novel "At Swim Two Boys".  This centred around the relationship between two friends with its background of conflicts, which were developing during 1915 in the Irish homeland.  This love story is played out on an intimate set which contains a (thin screed) pool of water on which the lovers perform a sequence of energetic gymnastic dance drama's

                                         http://www.youtube.com/embed/1g1amvdvpZk

In Person at the Royal Academy

 A workshop session with jazz-funk ensemble Principle 3.  This involved interaction with percussion instruments, making sounds and listening.  We were then encouraged to create Hockney "sound-scape's" and draw them into pastel landscapes, not so sure about my attempt on the landscapes?  This was followed by a performance by "Principle 3" who demonstrated the versatility of their instruments.  I was then given the opportunity to visit the David Hockney exhibition, which I enjoyed, but I felt that there was somewhat of an overkill with the amount of paintings put on show in the galleries.  "A Bigger Picture" it was, with some paintings containing vibrant colours.  The scale of  the work was incredible, with an interesting use of the "four seasons".  In particular I liked the way Hockney made use of multiple canvas, sometimes the lineament  of these canvass did not always match up, but it made an intriguing conundrum for the viewer to speculate on.

                                                                             

Have decided to try and make a xylophone, using clay.

Will scoop out sections of clay on the reverse sides.

 All at diffrent strenghts inorder to tune diffrent.

My first attempt and I might add that I'm not musical.

This is great! really like the outcome, will have to post

the video I made, got to upload it first.

Worth waiting for and it makes me want to continue

with making lots more, experimenting with sound box's

underneath and various types of framing in order to play

with the sounds.

My second visit to the R A.
"A Bigger Picture"

                                                                          David Hockney RA: A Bigger Picture - Exhibitions - Royal Academy ...


   

What will I Make of These?

I wouldn't eat that s--t!!

and what am I going to do with this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=jEjUAnPc2VA

OK!

Now that you are having a look at my blog, I suggest you have a closer look at the photo's. When I say closer, I mean really close.  How does one do this you may ask?  Its real easy.  Hopefully you have a mouse at hand?  Right click and go into properties, click on properties.  You now have a description of the photo and at the top you will find some text, this is what I have saved the photo as.  Are you still wondering?  When I "save as" I got to think up a name or title.  This gets me thinking and depending on the mood, it could just be a name, but sometimes a wee story comes to mind.  This giving a little more insight as to how I'm thinking.  The idea came to mind looking through some old photo's, on the back's of some photo's I find writing, either with a name or a brief description.  I like the idea and besides its fun. 



                                                                                

Twist and Rock

My new twist in ceramics?
This idea has risen from looking through some old sketch books
over the Christmas period, while on holiday in Ireland.  In conversation with my
brother Tony.  I wondered if he had by chance had any old twister for making hay ropes, laying about on his farm?
Couple day's later he turns up with a twister.  One he had made specially for me.  Oh! was I pleased.
Will be adding to this post.  Watch this space!.....

The Twisting of the Rope
by:  W.B.Yeats
http://www.readbookonline.net/readonline/2123/

The Sligo Way
http://www.sligoheritage.com/archtwistingropes.htm

A Hay-Rope/Pack-Saddle. from County Louth
http://www.jstor.org/stable/27729004

Hut/Tent
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/boho,_county_fermanagh

Michael Quirke - The Woodcarver - Sligo Town on the Net

This is the twister my brother Tony made,
he used the wire handle from a bucket to form the shape
and seasoned branches from an Elder bush to form the handles. 
The centre core of the Elder branch is easy to shove the wire through.
The Elder bush or small tree produce edible berries, rich in vitamin C.
Collected for domestic and commercial use, but the rest of the plant
has a little poison.

Arranging my twisters in various positions in order to document.  After I take the photograph and start rearranging, I can't help but look at my work and see Pablo Picasso's creations.  Seems strange, but before the end of unit 1, while I was preparing for our show leading up to Christmas.  I had been working in the metal-workshop, racking my brain trying to figuring out how I could finish a piece of work.  Richard - one of the technicians had asked, if I was familiar with Picasso's work in sculpturing?  with that - Richard pulled a large book on Picasso's works on sculpture from the shelf and started flicking through the pages.  I'm sure I was expecting him to stop on a certain page and show me something extraordinary? but no.  Richard  left the book on the table and walked off.  First couple of moments I was puzzled and then the penny dropped.  Of course! Picasso made things - Lot's of sculptures.  After a flick through the book, I put back on the shelf and start making things.  Now I'm wondering if Picasso has brushed off on me?  The subconscious?

Using different materials, wanting to see where it will lead too?

Finding some scraps of metal and crudely welding together

( I really need my reading glasses while welding)

The perspex I purchased. 

Using the woodwork - shop I formed the perspex - using an electric heating gun to create the twists and bends and at the same time putting the perspex sleeves into position. had to be real careful with the heating gun, knowing when to stop. Otherwise I could have ended up with this?

Oh! maybe this is what you want?

The Void in the Oil

Thomas Hjelm a fellow peer.  Working with strong materials in his paintings.

His most recent work has moved up a notch and hangs out on its own. 

I really feel that this is one of his best!

The painting is meant to hang from the ceiling using a heavy metal chain and lock,

with the viewer having to walk around it. The canvas is completely wrapped around the frame stretcher. 

 Black oil paint liberally applied as if it were dipped in Richard Wilson's 20-50 used sump oil and then dragged it from The Saatchi Gallery.

I have chosen to show only part of the painting.