Contextual Studies: Assessment Task II

Contextual Studies: Assessment Task II

Laura Sanders

Malcolm Mosley

493 Words

British artist Keith Tyson, renowned for his ability to create amazing installations, winning the Turner prize in 2002, has greatly influenced my latest work. In particular his collection of 300 pieces, together create the “Large Field Array” 2008 collection.

This collection works as a whole in a large gallery space as the viewer negotiates their own path through the grid of sculptures. “…linked together they can produce a much sharper, more detailed image of the universe.”  

However it is this piece that I am fascinated by. The sculpture is two feet squared that stands on a plinth and made using mixed media. The individual piece has no name, only known as just a “detail” to the “Large Field Array” collection.

 There is a definite narrative in this piece. The ideas behind it only Keith Tyson would know as the individual pieces are not given any definition. It is up to the interpretation of the viewer to decide what the piece means.

I really like the huge amount of detail and ideas put into this piece, small vital elements such as the men in the boats at the creature’s feet that appear to be its shoes. The man climbing the ladder inset in a jug that resembles something like a hat on the creature’s head. Two people are drinking at a table inside the hollow back end of the creature which is where it seems to be looking. The creature is very tree like; its legs are like trunks and assume the texture and colour of bark. The owl and crow perched on its branches help to illustrate this further. There is nothing short of imagination in this piece, however it is well designed and produced making it believable as if it sprung into being. This piece reminds me of Edward Lear’s nonsense poems which generally consisted of bizarre narratives such as this. Keith Tyson’s work apparently was influenced by Jeff Koons. When analysing both artists work it is easy to see some similar elements between the two such as the realism and exaggeration in their sculptures.

Keith Tyson inspired and influenced my own work such as my sculpture designs. In this 3D piece I used the same concept; exaggeration of shapes and ideas that create an unusual narrative. My aim was to create a dragon creature that breaks the stereotypical appearance and ideas.

To start with I researched and observed nature such as reptiles. Then I added the unusual element of octopuses and squids that changed the look of my dragon entirely. This is a trial piece made with a wire skeleton covered in modelling wax. A much different material used to Keith Tyson’s work, however it enabled me to create the tentacle shapes and smooth skin texture like a snakes.

Even though this is a design idea and trial, I would expand upon this piece more using various materials that would enable me to create something similar to Keith Tyson’s polished pieces.

Bibliography:

http://www.keithtyson.com/#/projects/largefieldarray/synopsis/

http://www.keithtyson.com/#/projects/largefieldarray/examples/

http://www.artnet.com/magazineus/reviews/robinson/robinson9-11-07.asp

Digital Art and Design

Typeography development pieces made on photoshop. Baised on my views on religion.

Best piece from series.

Next step:  Final Piece

Contextual Studies

Boccioni and Giacometti Visual Analysis

Laura Sanders

Malcolm Mosley

535 Words

Umberto Boccioni’s “Unique Forms of Continuity in Space” 1913, consists of a bronze sculpture of a figure in motion. This free standing sculpture size, 111.2 x 88.5 x 40cm, is not scaled to adult size but more of the size of a five year old child.

Even though abstract, it is clear that the shapes represent a human striding forward. The human has no arms and even though its body and head are smaller than the legs when viewed as a whole it creates this powerful muscled look to it.  The abnormally large legs, the main feature of the sculpture, emphasize the strength and power of the figure’s stride. Triangular like shapes jut out of its legs giving the impression of speed, as if the human is moving too fast it is blurred.

There is a repetitive texture and shape to the sculpture. Some areas are smooth but then finish with sharp unexpected edges. This warped metal could be seen as folds in cloth as the figure battles against a wind. I think however the shapes, such as the indistinguishable head, look more like amour from a medieval period. There is almost a natural, pure element to it, possibly because of the bronze coating. The shapes and composition are almost super human. A possible religious point of view could be that the sculpture may represent an angel or god.

Alberto Giacometti’s “La Foret” 1950, is a collection of bronze sculptures; seven lean female figures accompanied by a man’s bust. The work refers to Giacometti’s childhood memory of the woods around his hometown of Stampa, "The Composition with Seven Figures and a Head reminded me of the corner of a forest, seen over many years during my childhood, where trees with naked slender trunks (limbless almost to their tops and behind which there were granite boulders) had always seemed to me like people stopped in their tracks and talking amongst themselves"

“La Foret” has a rough texture to it unlike “Unique forms of continuity in space” which is smooth and shiny.  I think Giacometti’s work focuses more on shadows whereas Boccioni is more on the light as it reflects onto the bronze figure. It was suggested that the countryside of Stampa with gnarled trees seems to be reflected in “La Foret”. The figures do appear like trees in a forest, unequal distances apart, randomly placed and consisting of different heights but repetitive and appearing almost identical to each other. Boccioni’s sculpture had a particular narrative to it, i.e. the figure in motion moving towards something, whereas Giacometti’s are stationary like trees therefore less obvious. 

Possible other meanings behind “La Foret” is about women and men’s controversy during that period. Giacometti commented, "When I am walking in the street and see a whore from a distance, all dressed, I see a whore. When she is in the room and naked before me, I see a goddess". The use of the word goddess changes the man bust as instead of just an onlooker, he may be looking up at these seven women as goddess’. This is a common representation as Boccioni’s “Unique Forms of Continuity in Space” is the solitary yet majestic figure possibly preserved as a god.