TEAMWORK!

University Workshops

On a Tuesday afternoon we get together in our small groups of about 6 which we have been allocated and discuss our set briefs given by our tutors. These tasks aim to help us deal with a group/team situation and to gain a better understanding of certain equipment/techniques. The briefs set are taken from the lectures given in the morning and are also helping with our individual projects on the same subjects. I will document our ideas as a group and show our final outcome.



WEEK 1: IDENTITY

Nostalgia

Here is our image which explores the theme Identity. We were given the brief of a digital image, printed A3, we had to shoot in the studio, use studio lighting and include props. We were also given a list of things to "try" and include but it was also optional, these included; 
Window lighting, A specific room, A specific age, presence of an animal, nature, a figure and a shadow. We came up with the idea of a child's bedroom, with the presence of an older person, in the form of a shadow to suggest a longing for their childhood or a memory of the past. 

We wanted to create quite a nostalgic appearance, with the props it is successful in doing that as they appear to be quite old fashioned. We did originally plan to create a child's bedroom but in the short space of time we had it was difficult finding the props necessary. The final outcome, I feel was successful, we chose to print the image in black and white because this juxtaposed our theme of nostalgia and resembled the past, also in colour our still life appeared too commercial as if it would appear in a catalogue for a department store. Our objects and the shadows give the image quite an eerie aesthetic but I think this was a great effect and gave the image some character and drama.


WEEK 2: DOCUMENTARY

Consumerism

Our key elements of the brief were as follows:

• Black and white
• Medium format
• 9x12.5 paper
• 3 prints (Triptych)
• Subtle and interesting
• The concept given has to be a secret from the other groups, for them to guess during the presentation.

All of the groups had to choose privately, a word/concept to produce work about and then keep it a secret to see if they could guess it later on. Obviously from the title our word was 'Consumerism'.

The idea of 

'Transportation of Global goods'

We thought most people would think or associate this term with shops or food, which would be too obvious, so we tried to brainstorm something more subtle and thought a very important factor, and one people tend to forget about, is how we and the rest of the world receive our everyday products and goods. This led us to the massive transportation networks by sea and railway. However it was easier for us to access the idea of sea transport, being based near Southampton port harbor. We aimed to subtly introduce the goods containers by them becoming part of the landscape as if fitting in to our normal everyday lives. Realistically being something that is almost restricted and hidden from us.

WEEK 3: ENVIRONMENT

'Ugly Architecture'

Iphone shots of the location

Medium Format Image 1 below

ERIC ASHBY

New Forest Wildlife on Camera

On an episode of countryfile, they explored the antics of well-known wildlife film-maker Eric Ashby who spent his life situated in the grounds of the New-forest where he captured many moments of life in the wild-including the mysterious Badgers. Although sadly passed a few years ago, his work still lives on and influences many of the modern film-makers today.

I was fascinated by his curiosity and interest in just one place and he went back continuously to  record the goings on of the forest. His home "Badger cottage" was situated in the New forest which explains his love for the place-and indeed it is a great place to go.

Eric Ashby worked for the BBC's many nature programs and when he released his film "The unknown forest" people got to see what nature was really like without any controlled settings. He was known as "The silent watcher" and was one of the first film-makers to develop sound-proof camera boxes, which helped when photographing Badgers in daylight and also deer that are extremely sensitive to noise.

I am not a huge film fanatic but nature and wildlife captured on film is definitely a skill to be proud of, and with the advances in technology we have managed to create incredible programs like "Planet Earth" but when it happens to be on your doorstep, it's even more exciting.


Here is one of his videos of badgers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caVEATAYV_Y

LENSCRATCH SUBMISSION!

ANOTHER LENSCRATCH SUBMISSION

THEME: MASKS AND COSTUMES!
A REALLY EXCITING SET OF IMAGES FROM EVERYONE!


http://www.lenscratch.com/2012/10/the-2012-lenscratch-masks-and-costumes.html

MY WORK IS FEATURED ON PAGE 2-CHECK IT OUT :)

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FRANCESCA WOODMAN

An Insight into

Francesca Woodman

By Rosie Knightley

A self- Representing Artist/photographer, Being both Model and Artist.
Her work is believed to be influenced by her own teachers and Surrealist Artists, such as Duane Michals.
She claimed she would have been better suited in Victorian times-hence her fashion style, featured in some of her images. 





I experienced a very interesting and insightful presentation on Francesca Woodman today in our lecture, mainly because there is a lot more to her than meets the eye. My first impressions of Woodman's work is obviously they're self portraits and mostly nude and I have always thought the work is about femininity and insecurity and also the experimental aspects too are creative and compelling. 





After watching a film/documentary about her family, "The Woodmans", I now have a clearer understanding of her mind state and the reason (assumption) behind her death. Watching the film you began to feel as though Woodman was outsider to many of her friends and family and those around her, and it was as if she wasn't being credited enough for her work at the time she was making it. The fact that she distorted her body and the image in ways, suggests she may have wanted to express her feelings and emotions through her imagination and creativity. 
This link should take you to the video of The Woodmans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt1QYIZWVTA




She appeared quite self contained in the video as if she was out shone by the own family, who were also keen and enthusiastic Artists. Her family, even to this day appear as though they didn't quite understand why she decided to end her life so early, as if they were a little distant towards her near the end. I feel many of these images reflect her determination to create images that conveyed a message to the whole world or to her friends and family specifically. 



Was her work the journey to the end of her life? 

Or was her work purely an act of experimental beauty?

I personally love her work, particularly the images where she is surrounded by her environment and almost encased by it and the way she plays with long exposures. I admire her bravery and courage to produce such intimate nudes of herself and the female body creates intriguing shapes and distortions in images. 







Woodmans work is so amazingly sensitive and unique, she would have been and still is a great photographer even to this day, she still gives many people the satisfaction of viewing her work and producing their own from inspiration- including myself.

For more information on Francesca Woodman visit:
http://www.victoria-miro.com/artists/_7/

ART IN THE GARDEN

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

50/50 Photo and Paint Exhibition
Until the 28th October!
Art In The Garden
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hilliergardens
Visit the address above for more information


'A garden paradise for every occasion'
A unique exhibition in which photographers and painters work together and take inspiration from each other, Hilliers Gardens colour in the landscape and the world around us.
(info from exhibition handout)

Exhibition opens daily from 10am to 5am
Free Admission
Garden hours, 10-6pm

I came to Gardens today surprised and delighted to find out this wonderful little exhibition was on show and it displays stunning work from many Artists, those of which stood out for me were, Roy Brophy, Sue Holness, Anne Ruffell and Paul Sansome, all were photographers with impressive work. I was fortunate enough to get these snapshots of the exhibition. 

The Paintings on show were equally as beautiful, and if I had the money I would buy several all the pieces here. The skill of both photos and paintings were very inspirational and being an amateur myself in photography makes you admire wildlife, nature and Landscape photography in itself. These genres are a joy to practice in and many people enjoy viewing them also.

I would recommend anyone to go and see this exhibition before it closes on the 28th October, it's a little gem and anyone of any age and interest would enjoy it. 

In it's thirteenth year the gardens of Hillier are showcasing an exciting exhibition of contemporary art and craft that is innovative and spectacular. around 100 sculptures are displayed here all around the garden appearing from the depth of this wonderful garden of unique interest. This years featured artist is Ian Marlow, who's work I have included below, (red flowers). All the artists are either new or established and work in a variety of materials, with them all available for sale. Curated by the Gardens and Underground Art + Design.

Mike Bigland

Hogweed, Stainless Steel

Mike Bigland

Dierama, Stainless Steel

Mike Bigland

Rudbeckia, Stainless Steel

Out of all of Bigland's pieces, this was the one that stood out most, because of its detail in the centre of the flower and how precise the design is. I would love to have one of these in my garden, they are unique and add something creative and interesting to the  surroundings, a bit out of the ordinary shall we say.

Eucalypyus Dalrympleana

Mountain Gum

I made this image particularly because I was fascinated with its appearance and the texture of the tree. The trunk was quite smooth and unusual to feel and it just had the wow factor.

Steve Blaylock

Dragonfly

Ian Marlow
Red Flowers 3



Below is a few of my own images I took on the day, of the beautiful scenery and the plants and flowers around the garden.

CONTEMPORARY

MUMMERY+SCHNELLE

EXHIBITION, VARIOUS ARTISTS

More info on this gallery visit: http://www.mummeryschnelle.com/index.htm

This was a unique little gallery, with very contemporary artists of mixed media and photography and some abstract some thought provoking. There wasn't a huge amount of work here but it was great to see something a little different out of the ordinary.

Ori Gersht, as above

This piece of work was great, I am familiar with Ori Gersht's work as I saw his exhibition at the Imperial War Museum and online too. It is always inspirational to see Gersht's work because it is so unique and mysterious in some aspects. I always associate emotion with his work, purely because of the way he photographs and his subject matter correlates with that idea also. This image above is very striking, as well as being a fairely large print you are immediateness drawn to all the different objects within the powerful explosion. These objects represent fragility, femininity and beauty and he has chosen to explode them into millions of pieces, but creating something equally as beautiful. 

On the right is a piece by Paul Caffell, Painting, 2011

Oil on canvas, unframed 122 x 122cm (48inch)

At the back is Ori Gersht Time after Time, Blow up No. 05 2007

Light Jet Print on Aluminium

250 x 188cm, Edition 1/6

Jyll Bradley, Nobody gives you freedom you have to take it 2010-11

'light drawing' on Bockingford Watercolour paper 190gsm

30 x 22cm, Edition of 3

Louise Hopkins, 4 beds 2008

Acrylic Ink on Magazine page, paper 24 x 20cm

This little piece caught my curiosity and got me really thinking about how Hopkins had done the work. After reading the description it was then clear she had drawn over the original image to create or manipulate something else. I thought it was quite architectural with the lines but I think it's also quite feminine and personal, as if representing her own identity in a way. I am merely assuming these connections with the image, however with little description I felt I was able to come to my own conclusions on all of the work, to me contemporary art is definitely more interesting that way.

Ori Gersht, Chasing good fortune Hiroshima Sleepless Nights: Never Again 01 2010

Framed archival pigment print on Aluminium

83 x 69cm Edition 1/8

Here is another of Ori Gersht's familiar images, and quite a contrast to the one above, with it's minimalism and simplicity the image comes across as calming and tranquil, it is pleasing to the eye and quite easy to read at first glance. However as I've seen this image before at the Imperial War Museum I know it has a deeper meaning and reflects quite a dark message and that being of sadness and dispair. I feel as though he tries to make something that is quite an unhappy thought into something more pleasant.