Expanded Boundaries...

I am impressed with my self-directed practice overall as it allowed me to develop numerous skills and explore a range of experiments, materials and ideas. I believe that the final outcome, Progress (2015), is the highlight of the entire self-directed because it represents the theme that I developed on from expanded boundaries. In addition, it is a strong representation of the subjects that I used for my ‘Personal Development’ theme within my practice. The self-directed aloud myself as an artist to develop a variety of skills including communication, use of digital technology within my practice and exploring a range of materials and objects that I would not have considered at the start. The glass was the surprise throughout my practice because I was astonished at the strength of the material while being deconstructed and reconstructed.

While displaying Progress (2015), I noticed all of my experimental outcomes that I had produced were kept on a unit in my studio space. I began to wonder if personal development could be used to present a collection of my experimental outcomes. As a result, I cleared off the unit and proceeded to put experimental art on different shelves presenting the beginning ideas at the bottom to the final preparation at the top. The outcomes include my paper distortions, breakdown can series and deconstructed and reconstructed bottles. I produced the title of ‘Develop’ (2015) for the art because it demonstrates how I have developed as an artist over my self-directed and practice.

    I do not consider ‘Develop’ to be a final outcome because it is a mixture of all my experimentation art however I believe that is represents my journey through my practice. I decided to display it facing Progress with a walk way in the middle for observers to investigate the two separate outcomes. The reason for the display facing each other is to focus on Progress as a final outcome and Develop as the journey to Progress, so that Develop does not distract the spectator.

Throughout my self-directed, I have been documenting my work on Tumblr however I have also documented on social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook, that includes my art page. The reason I have documented my practice on social media is to present my practice to a wide range of individuals and it has been successful throughout the self-directed.

My final outcome is entitled ‘Progress’ (2015), produced using glass, glue, paper and thread. I was impressed with the result after multiple considerations, experimentation and ideas that constantly changed throughout my practice. The choices of using green glue to reconstruct the bottles and clear glue for the jars were successful because they successfully presented the cracks of the object instead of the method of support. I was surprised at the connection between the images visibly displaying my themes and subjects and the materials used to create the series. This connection allowed me as an artist to complete Progress explaining the theme of personal development through the material and the images camouflaged into the final outcome to represent the subjects without presentation to the observer. If I were to recreate Progress, I would consider a different way of presenting it as the plinth was successful however covering the table became difficult as I had used paper instead of a material such as fabric. Overall, I was impressed by the success of the final outcome from multiple experiments and ideas because it represented my theme of personal development without creating a visible approach.

I originally stopped investigating the images with the objects because my evidence was inconclusive. After producing the two series the previous day, I began to re-investigate the images however I became indecisive. While photographing the series, I believed that the materials were capable of explaining the theme of personal development and that the images would create a visible approach to the final outcome’s meaning.

    Instead of visibly presenting the images inside the objects, I decided to crumple the first two images and place them in the first bottle and jar in their respective series. The reason I decided to crumple the first images is to represent the damage that I felt at the time of the events. In contrast, I wrapped the other two images with a black thread and placed them in the reconstructed objects at the end of the series representing happiness. The idea for wrapping the last two images came from the term ‘message in a bottle’ which I believe the images are a message to personally develop. The primary images (below) demonstrate the display of the images within the objects.

After numerous experimentation, ideas and changes, I began to produce my final outcome using jars and Carlsberg bottles as I did not obtain a large quantity of Koppaberg bottles that I had originally intended to use. In total, I was using fourteen objects including seven bottles and seven jars. During the construction of my final outcome, I used gloves, goggles and fabric to protect the glass from damaging myself or anyone close to the studio space. The primary images that I photographed (below) are all through the process of producing the final outcome including close ups of the glass to present it as a fragile and delicate material.

    As an added note to assist my process, I decided to create the middle jar in the first series and the middle bottle in the second series first compared to others. The reason I did it was to establish the connection between the untouched jar and bottle with the deconstructed doubles.

Before producing my final outcome, I decided to investigate a variety of aspects that would need to be considered including the final materials that I would use, the placement of the outcome and quantity of objects. To begin, I investigated the dimensions of my desk in my studio space and decided to cover it with paper to clearly present the materials that I would use. In addition, my intention is to use two of the objects that I have experimented with to create two series presenting the two main subjects that I have focused on within my theme of personal development. As a result, I decided to display the second series higher than the first so on the desk I will add a separate plinth to create different heights of the outcomes.

    The objects that I considered to use were between the cans, jars and bottles because all three of them had successfully established themselves as the main experiments within my practice. I had the intention of using the jars with the bottles however if the cans were successful in a series, I would consider the possible outcome of using the cans and bottles. I created two separate test series from the recycled cans that I had obtained using the burning process that I had used at the start of my experimentation. Although the cans were a success, unfortunately, I believed that the burning process would be difficult to use for a final outcome because the process and results are unpredictable. For my bottle series, due to limited obtained objects, I decided to use the bottle that I had the highest quantity available, not my chosen type, to produce a breakdown series. The bottle series was successful because I believed that the method of specific impact that I had investigated allowed me to produce a realistic approach to the tester. From my tester series, I believed that the bottles had more potential than the cans so I have decided to use the bottles and jars as the objects for my final outcome.

    I had criticized the glue with the bottle because the clear appeared obvious in contrast to my experiment with the cup that clearly showed the cracks but not the glue. As a result, I decided to investigate with different glue sticks in a glue gun for the bottle as I was confident that the clear glue stick would work with the jars. From black, light green and dark green, I decided to use light green for the glue for the bottles because it is not obvious as glue and instead clearly presents the cracks.

    All of the images below are primary photographs that I have captured while carrying out my preparation for my final outcome.

Following my visit to Cardiff, I returned to investigating the connection between my images and materials. In a previous note, I mentioned that I needed to remain focused on the themes and subjects within my practice along with the materials. As my subjects and themes are represented through my images, I investigated them while placed in jars, bottles and cans. This is an investigation to experiment with the images in various objects. contrasting in height, colour and materials.

    Due to the lack of evidence, I have not been able to produce a fair investigation between the images and materials. Factors that are considered in the lack of evidence include the availability of materials and objects that can be deconstructed and reconstructed. I will reconsider the images within my objects towards the end of my practice including my final outcome in terms of presenting and creating.

Before I began to produce the idea for my final outcome, I decided to research into different themes and ideas. In Cardiff, there was an exhibition entitled ‘Fragile?’ that featured multiple ceramic work by contemporary artists. On the website of the National Museum in Cardiff and various paper documents, the image advertising the exhibition is a smashed teapot.

    There was a variety of art within the exhibition by numerous artists including Keith Harrison and Phoebe Cummings. Two art works that I found interesting were ‘Scenes for a Future History of Ornament’ (2015), produced by Cummings, and ‘Mute’ (2015), created by Harrison. Although they are in the same exhibition and both use ceramic materials within their art, there are many contrasts between the two installations. The first by Cummings is inspired by aspects theatrically such as relation between time and scale, objects and reconstruction. The installation represents an idea of sharpness and softness similar to my bottles from observing it and following to viewer participation. Inside the boxes are clay sculptures that represent a science-fiction display according to Cummings. The second installation, ‘Mute’, was inspired by Harrison’s hearing loss as there are seventy-two speakers that all have raw terracotta slip secured. A turntable placed by behind the speakers plays loud music that will cause the slip to crack and eventually break overtime representing the idea of hearing loss that Harrison suffered.

    My favourite art works from the exhibition are ‘Fragments (Teapot)’ by David Cushway, produced between 2006 and 2007, and two vessels from the Roman period. Both art works consider similar qualities that I have considered through my practice including deconstruction, reconstruction and material. The objects are all broken in different ways through video or through aging and they are reconstructed through art. Although I have not specifically used ceramics within my practice, I have found links and connections that can be observed through my practice and the exhibition.

See more about the ‘Fragile?’ exhibition at:

http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/cardiff/whatson/?id=7948

All art is subject to change within ideas, experimentation and even the final outcome. One change that might be necessary is the bottle that I will use within my final outcome. From an investigation involving advertisement, I decided to use the Koppaberg as the bottle that will be used within my practice. Before my final outcome is produced, I will have to consider the quantity of objects used. The primary image (below) presents the Koppaberg bottle alongside a Carlsberg bottle, even though the second was not included in my comparison and contrast of the obtained bottles. The reasons for considering the Carlsberg bottle within my ideas are the quantity of the the bottles that I successfully obtained and the similar dimensions and forms compared to the Koppaberg bottle. Depending on the quantity of bottles that I have obtained at the time of producing my final outcome, the change will either be considered or not necessary.

As an artist, I have a habit of producing work although I become focused on the ideas resulting in the themes or subjects becoming of less importance. Within my practice, I intend to present the theme and subject through the materials without ignoring them. To re-focus on the themes and subjects within my practice, I scanned four images of personal photographs surrounding my grandfather as the subject to produce primary evidence. Two of the images are of my grandfather as the images present him as the subject, and the fragile feeling I get whenever I observe them. In contrast, the other images present my grandfather with myself and various family members as I consider them memories that make me happy and repair my fragile nature. I have decided to use two images from the scanned four to represent the strength of the subject.

    Besides the death of my grandfather, the first subject that began my self-directed was the break-up with my ex-girlfriend. I believe that my work should surround the strongest subject however both present the theme of personal development equally. As I have chosen two images for my subject, I have decided to select another two to represent the split with my ex-girlfriend. The first image is of a bracelet that she gave me as a present and the second is of my best friend and myself. I believe that my best friend helped me through events that have caused me to personally develop and it is the reason for using an image with her and myself to contrast to the one that represents the subject.

During the reconstruction of the bottle, jar and cup, I thought about the labels and pattern on the objects as advertising to the public. The primary image (below) is of various alcoholic beverages in a local shop.

    The reason I thought of advertisement was from the results of my experimentation with the glass and the cup. On the glass, there are labels that are placed on the back and the front of the object and when I deconstructed the materials, the label refused to break and instead held the glass together. In contrast, the pattern on the cup broke along with the object and I used it as a guidance to reconstruct the cup and I noticed a specific difference between the pattern and the label. As a result, I have decided to continue using the glass without labels on the objects as I began to obtain recycled bottles from various individuals including Koppaberg, Brothers and Magners.

    From my previous investigation, I discovered that the jar would be a useful material within my ideas and possible final outcome. The reason I decided to continue using the jar within my experimentation and ideas is due to the clear glass used as the material. The result of the clear glass displayed the cracks from the deconstruction of the jar more visible than the bottles. After collecting a total of five different bottles through form and product, I compared and contrasted the bottles together and separately with the jar in terms of height, diameter, form and colour to select a bottle type that I would use in my future practice. As a result, I decided on the Koppaberg bottle through various features that contrasted with the additional four that I had obtained.

For a quick investigation, I decided to develop my experimentation, expanding on different objects that present the same qualities as the can and bottle. The objects that I obtained included a recycled jar and a cup. Although the jar is produced from the same material of glass, like the bottle, and the cup is solid, they present a different way of experimenting with materials that can be deconstructed and reconstructed.

    Both objects were surprising to investigate because the result of the jar was successful. I used glue to reconstruct the glass jar together and, in contrast to the bottle, the glue appeared to camouflage into the clear material because it did not consist of colour. The cup was, in addition, interesting because the glue appeared less obvious on the cup compared to the glass objects. Instead, the cracks were displayed appearing to not contain a support. I will continue my investigation throughout my practice after the success of the two objects.

In a previous experiment, involving the Kronenbourg bottle, lighting became a factor that appeared interesting within my work and practice. From the bottles that I had specifically smashed, I decided to experiment with the light projected on to them either naturally or artificially. The primary images (below) are photographed in the studios so there is a combination of the two types of light.

    Unlike the first unintentional light experiment, I decided to think carefully about the angle that I was photographing. During my first experiment, I noticed the shards were stuck to the inside of the bottle. Learning from the result, I decided to photograph the three bottles through the top and bottom so the light was being projected through the glass. The results of the photographs I captured were successful because they displayed the fragile and delicate nature of glass along with my theme of personal development. Although my intention is based around three-dimensional images, the photographs are crucial for demonstrating my development through two and three dimensions.

During my first experiments using the bottles, I had smashed the bottles from a middle area resulting in the reconstruction becoming limited. I thought to myself if the impact from the smashing was specific, would it produce a different approach to reconstructing the bottle. Using three different bottles, I decided to smash one bottle from the top, the second from the middle and the third from the bottom to investigate if the bottle would break differently if the impact was specifically placed.

    The results from the investigation were successful and I realized that the outcomes had produced a decision to develop my work. The images (below) are primary evidence of the bottles after the impact and following reconstruction. The fourth primary image displays the results of the impact on top and bottom were superior to the bottle that was smashed in the middle. The bottle in the middle had broken into small shards in the middle resulting in reconstruction of the entire bottle impossible. I believe that the investigation was crucial because glass is becoming a strong material within my work and practice while the bottles are strong objects.

Two individuals I discovered while researching additional specific artists includes Chinese artist Hu Bing and American artist Mark Reigelman. In comparison to Debombourg, all the artists have specialized in glass within their work however Bing and Reigelman have used the specific object that I am using within my experimentation, being glass bottles. The artists have a contrast to the way that they used them as installations.

    Bing created the installation entitled ‘Shattered Glass, Sheer Transformation’ as a contemporary art to occupy a gallery on a New York landmark. The bottles are found by herself either already smashed or smashed and hung from the ceiling. The bottles are mixed in with stockings and cheese cloth presenting a sharpness and softness to the installation. The art is inspired by Bing’s memories of China and cars crashing outside her window when she first moved to New York. I am impressed with the installation because it presents a negative theme with an uplifting appearance, similar to my bottles. My intention is to produce an art work around a personal theme and Bing’s work is relevant in terms of both ideas and objects.

    The art produced by Reigelman is a contrast because instead of using bottles that are partly smashed like Bing uses, he decides to create work using the shards. The exhibition ‘Breaking the Bottle’ upcycles broken glass shards into a sculptural installation, recreating a childhood room. The inspiration is taken from glass topped fences that surround homes that can make an individual feel isolated. In comparison to Bing’s art, there is an unlikely combination of sharpness and softness that is presenting through the display of the glass covered furniture. I particularly like the exhibition because glass shards can usually be too small to create anything however Reigelman has challenged this idea to produce an eye-catching result. The shards have been an area that I have noted through my experimentation and the artist is crucial to viewing how glass can be used.

See more about...

Bing at: http://www.artcritical.com/2012/04/26/hu-bing-at-the-flatiron-prow-art-space/

Reigelman at: http://inhabitat.com/nyc/breaking-the-bottle-upcycles-glass-shards-into-a-glittering-art-installation-in-nyc/

In relation to my deconstruction and reconstruction experiment with the glass bottle, I researched specifically for an artist that had produced similar results. I came across the work of Baptiste Debombourg, a French mixed media artist based in Paris. This specific artist has used multiple materials in a range of his work including Aerial’s Spiritual Ground (2012), first secondary image, and Articles Codes (2004), second secondary image. The works that I have selected by this artist are chosen specifically because of their relation with my own work with glass.

    Aerial’s Spiritual Ground is produced from two tonnes of glass, nails, wood and white paint and is based in Germany. I was intrigued by the installation because glass is shattered however it is all connects together, similar to my bottles. The installation material of glass is used as a representation of complexities and changes, relating to my theme of personal development around my work.

    Articles Codes is one of the older works by Debombourg, using an axe to destroy furniture and reconstruct it. Although the media is not the same as my work, the idea of reconstructing the furniture is relevant to expressing my ideas through reconstructed bottles. The destroyed furniture is representing frustration and guilt of an individual while reflecting on the serial product’s culture. I found this work to be interesting because it links to the way that I want to present the specific subject within my work and practice.

See more of Debombourg‘s art at:

http://www.baptistedebombourg.com/en/works