Visual Journal
Unit 1 Assessment
Learning Outcome 1.
In this assessment, we were given the task to formulate, describe and implement a challenging and self-directed program of study. (AC Enquiry)
I have formulated and described my self-directed program of study, which can be found in the Study Statement:
https://www.noragem.org/post/study-statement-ii
In the beginning, all I knew is that I need to connect the two topics that I am interested in, but in order to do that I must work with the first topic more deeply to figure out the relevant deeper meanings that can be associated with it.
As discussed with Jonathan in my first Tutorial record I will start by exploring the theme of Sailing and reflect upon where the process will take me.
https://www.noragem.org/post/tutorial-record-i
During the first couple of months of this semester, the method we learned about is the Reflective learning method, I am using on this blog. A relevant quote describing this process is:
„Reflection could be argued to be the essential stage where learning is integrated within the whole learner, and added to existing frames of reference, and internalised and personalised." (Race,2006)
We use this form of collecting information in our journal in order to keep note of our own practice and rethink our own undertakings soon after doing them.
By this we aim for getting a better understanding of ourselves and our work.
The main elements used in reflective writing are:
1. What did you do? / 2. How did you do it? / 3. Where were you? /
4. What did you use?
Action research methodology for me is meaning to create a discipline for myself in order to work everyday and change and improve my practice, process and work.
To continuously raise questions and try to find new solutions. This process can be viewed as an upwards spiral with different phases all connected with each other: Plan -- Action -- Observation -- Reflection -- Revised Plan and continue again and again: Plan -- Action --Evaluation -- Reflection
What I have realised and is a usefull process for me is the fact that drawings can be taken from my journal and reflected upon in different ways to get a deeper understanding of what motivates my work.
Boat Sketch https://www.noragem.org/post/boat-sketch-ii
Sketch III. https://www.noragem.org/post/sketch-iii
The first part of my research has been focusing on Naval paintings made in the 19th century. After viewing many of these paintings the ones having influenced me the most were the following ones:
J.M.W. Turner https://www.noragem.org/post/the-fighting-temeraire
George Philip Reinagle https://www.noragem.org/post/a-first-rate-man-of-war-driven-onto-a-reef-of-rocks-floundering-in-a-gale
Richard Parkes https://www.noragem.org/post/an-estuary-in-northern-france
As a challenging self directed study I aim to continuously keep record of my processes, thoughts, actions and decisions, successes and failures I am currently dealing with. This requires discipline, as it is a conscious deliberate process that can be viewed as an extension of our memories. By this I will be reviewing my own development, and evaluating the efforts furthermore making new actions and decisions again and again.
Learning Outcome 2
The Second phase of this Assessment consists of critically engaging with practice-based research and contributing actively to debate and discussion (AC Process)
My ongoing research has taken me to Nautical painting research in the 20th century as I observed various post-impressionist, abstract and photo paintings:
Vincent van Gogh https://www.noragem.org/post/fishing-boats-on-the-beach-at-saintes-maries
Váli Dezső Ship journey towards Crete
Gerard Richter https://www.noragem.org/post/motorboat
From analyzing these paintings I started making my own interpretation of the chosen subject field of Sailing. As the painting works started to emerge I have realized that I chose smaller scale sailing boats and prefer to paint them on a lake, compared to large high tech vessels on the sea for example. This was an interesting insight for me as well as the need to have some abstract views in my works. Furthermore painting sailing vessels in company with each other whereas standing alone:
Morning View https://www.noragem.org/post/morning-view
The Spaces in between https://www.noragem.org/post/the-spaces-in-between
Getting Ready. https://www.noragem.org/post/getting-ready
To mention my frustrations along the way I have to admit that it was getting harder and harder to ignore the need to convey human closeness and I found that I had to experiment with different other methods to keep searching for the common theme lying under the two topics of interest. (Sailing and Human touch and kindness)
For this reason, I have started to research various installations and this installation project was one that resonated the most with me:
Chiharu Shiota https://www.noragem.org/post/where-are-we-going
I experimented with an object-based work idea after my research process:
Shoe and paper strings https://www.noragem.org/post/shoe-paper-and-strings
What I have came to realize is that by using personal metaphors I can make the work more relevant and have decided to take the process further. I also noticed I have an interest with how different materials can have a relationship with each other just by placing them on top or next to each other.
I had an idea to go back to my physical sketchbook once again, collect objects and place them next to each other and reflect upon the work emerging:
Collecting Objects https://www.noragem.org/post/collecting-objects
The main insights and debates emerging from these experimental processes started to come alive. The parallel human needs of freedom and spending time alone as well as the basic nourishing affects of a simple hug are all connected to the concepts of self-acceptance and nourishment and healing. The importance of creating "timeless" moments in our everyday lives, a cherished memory that is collected by our senses. Therefore strengthening positive human traits such as kindness, peacefulness and creativity.
Learning Outcome 3
The third phase consists of critically reflecting upon your practice and communicating the understanding of the methodology and context of your developing practice. ( AC Knowledge and Communication)
As I set out in my first learning outcome, I continued and am still experimenting with other methods of art processes, that are different from the traditional brush on canvas technique.
Artists who had the most influence during my paper collage making and painting over print experiences were:
Lorna Simpson https://www.noragem.org/post/riunite-and-ice
Max Ernst https://www.noragem.org/post/la-colombe-avait-raison
Kurt Schwitters https://www.noragem.org/post/kurt-schwitters
Andy Warhol https://www.noragem.org/post/pop-art-is-on-the-table
Here you can see a selection of my initial experiments after my research process:
Experimenting https://www.noragem.org/post/experimenting
Drafts on paper https://www.noragem.org/post/drafts-on-paper
Paper collage experiment https://www.noragem.org/post/experimenting-1
Paper collage experiment 3 https://www.noragem.org/post/experiment-3
What I was happy about that I was able to make my first material collage.
This required me to go into another artist's studio and ask for his help in cutting out the various metals needed for the project. We were smiling at the fact on my second tutorial with Jonathan that although it is difficult for me to write about my feelings as well as to visit and spend time with artists, because I usually work alone, it is necessary especially if I am interested in a theme like human connections. So I made the effort to move out of my comfort zone.
Material collage drawing, first drafts https://www.noragem.org/post/material-collage-building
Material Collage building II. https://www.noragem.org/post/material-collage-ii
As a summary on reflecting and evaluating on my current art practice I can highlight the main dilemma I am currently facing. As I experimented this semester with other methods and have researched various other possibilities I now became interested in other art processes I have not tried before.
The question is what materials to use and how to place those materials together.
I have also realized that I will continue painting because they are my roots and I aim to discover new techniques in painting as well, for example using stencils and spray paint as well as the brush in my future works.
What was of most insight was the discovery of common underlying themes laying underneath the two chosen topics of interest, that I have mentioned at the end of Learning Outcome 2. A difficult part in the coming semester will be to make time for my painting work as well as the emerging material work experiments. There is a need that has appeared to discover the relationship of different materials. In the near future the indigence surfaced of placing together small glass, ceramic, wood and other possible materials in order to make the first mosaic experiment from them. The task I need to do is to make the above-mentioned new experiments and look at the connections I can make with my current painting practice.