Evaluation

When I was first set this project I wasn't excited straight away. I was worried about the group I was put into as with my fine art roots, I felt like being in the imagining it group I would be taking steps backwards rather than forwards. I now know that this project was set to challenge me and to 'think outside the box' so this wasn't the case at all.


The first 3 weeks of the project I spent doing research. As the project was based on Manchester I visited lots of galleries and museums and went to lots of the talks that were put on. The first thing that caught my attention were quantum dots; they were discovered in Manchester and they are the little lights in your television. I was immediately drawn to their bright neon colours. Yet, amongst all my other research I lost that idea for a while.


I then visited special collections where I viewed some Artist Books and this inspired me to create some myself. I had planned to make a sculpture out of my Artist Books, but realised how difficult and expensive it was to get hold of them in bulk - So I moved onto the next best thing. Newspapers. I made many sculptural hanging objects out of newspapers, influenced by various different artists, but all the processes were VERY time consuming so a week and a half before the project ended I threw in a wild card. I went back to my to my initial research...the quantum dots. The hanging objects I had been making reminded me of lanterns, so it's quite fitting that I went back to the quantum dots, as they are a light source. I began to experiment with newspaper and then swiftly moved onto acetate. I feel the results I achieved from acetate will have far more impact than newspaper.


During this project, I have become more self-motivated to do work outside of university hours - which is a good thing. I am always a slow starter and I don't think that will change, but I will always pick up the slack from those first few slow starting weeks in the following weeks.


My sketchbook is probably the weakest aspect of this project, as I chose to draw and make marks in a different way than usual. Rather than drawing in my sketchbook I would draw with book and newspaper pages. Consequently, the majority of drawing has been done outside of my sketchbook, normally in some kind of 3D form.


Although I have enjoyed this project, I am now keen to get back to using more stereotypical textile materials through weave and dye. However, if I was to start the project again, knowing what I know now, I think I would still choose to do what I did; and not go down the sterotypical textile root. I had fun exploring new media and different ideas. 

Final Proposal

I was worrying too much about how these different shapes would look as a clustered group of different sizes, so I went ahead and made it. I think it's really successful and the type of thing that I want for my final piece.

To ensure my final piece will be as effective and eye-catching as possible I will produce it on a much bigger scale - more of them and some coming down right to the ground. I love how I have turned the cylinders on their sides, so the viewer can see through them. I have added 2D circles taken from my cling film research, they add interest and will fill tiny gaps. It may be effective for me to trial a newspaper wallpapered wall behind all of hanging shapes, since newspaper has been a big part of my project. I also think the contrast of the black and white newspaper print against these bright neon colours would be really effective.

Things I will need to do to make sure my final piece is successful are...

- Buy bigger acetate so I can make bigger cylinders and circles.

- Make as many of these as I can between now and Thursday!

Experimenting..

After thinking about my final piece, I realised I can't just make one cylinder and decide that's what my final piece will be. I wanted to make more...so I did. Below is another cylinder I have made using book pages, acetate and gold ribbon. I think it's even better than the last idea. I think it's a good idea, how I have left gaps where there is just writing from the book page showing.

Idea For Final Piece

Here I have designed a quick draft idea for my final piece on photoshop. I think these clustered cylinders look effective. For my final piece I would make more and they would be all different colours and sizes. The image below has been created from just one cylinder.

Rolling...

So from the idea I got from the rolled up acetate I have made the cylinder below. I have layered 2 acetate and then used a book page for the bottom and made a string design on the top to add interest. I got the inspiration for colours from my quantum dot research I carried out after visiting the MOSI earlier in the project. I think it would be even more fascinating with a light inside but unfortunately there aren't many plugs in the exhibition space, so using a light isn't very realistic, as it probably won't happen for the final thing.

The cube

I like the effect the cube gives, but I think, I prefer the circles and balls I made with wire and clingfilm. The cube was very time consuming to make, it took over 2 and a half hours. I had to press every hole through with a pin first to sew it together. I am also not keen on the actual shape of it, I think the circles catch the light better and look more interesting. Nevertheless, I am glad I tried it because one benefit is that I now know how much sturdier acetate is!

Coincidence ...

I have been to my tutorial this morning and while I was waiting I had painted some acetate sheets to make into a cube as an experiment. They weren't dry yet, so I rolled them up when I got back - it hit me - I really like the effect the acetate gives when its rolled up. I have decided to continue to make the cube, but I am also going to make some kind of cylinder by layering acetate. 

Moving forward

During Tuesdays tutorial it became apparent that I was too set on what I wanted my final piece to be. I had thought I wanted it to be almost like a hanging paper mobile. As the rest of my group were still at the experimentation stage and still didn't really know what they wanted to make I decided to take a look back at my research.
After looking over all my research I have decided I want to bring some of the colours into my project from the pictures of quantum dots that I originally discovered in the MOSI.
So as a sort of 'wild card' I just started a new, fresh idea, away from newspaper. As I was focusing on my quantum dot research, which is a form of light, I wanted what I was making to be 'light' in every way. Light in weight; look like a light; and for it to have a light and airy feel. Below are some pictures of what I came up with. I have been inspired by my quantum dot research and I have used bright and eye catching colours. Ideally I would like the colours to come across in a more scientific kind of way (like the images of quantum dots) but that's something I can experiment with.

Stop Motion

I have had a go at my own stop motion video. I took pictures of a cube I had made out of newspaper, cardboard and cling film. It's not perfect, but I think the idea is good. It also gives the audience a chance to see every side of the cube rather than just one - like they would in a series of photographs.

Here are a couple of pictures of the cube I made...

The idea of the cube is good but its too flimsy and would fall apart at an exhibition. 

Drawing with newspaper

After my tutorial on Tuesday I decided it might be nice for me to do some experimental drawing with unexpected media. Below are some pictures of what I have come up with.

Above I have tried to create 3D drawings. Through the photographs you can see how the drawing progressed as I tried to make the drawing more and more 3D. I used the newspaper edges as lines, I think this is particularly effective in the paper I have rolled inside the toilet roll tube, it adds depth and therefore interest.

Curriculum Vitae

Bethaney Barrie I am a well-rounded twenty year old individual who has many attributes and skills in addition, to the various GCSEs, AS/A Levels and Art qualifications. I am currently in my first year of studying a three year BA Honours Degree in ‘Textiles in Practice’, at Manchester Metropolitan University. In this important first year, I have been introduced to and participated in three new, exciting and inspirational workshops:  Weave, Dye, and Print. I am passionate about Textiles; love new challenges and always aim to be as experimental as possible; and ‘think outside the box’ to produce creative and innovative art pieces, in a short space of time so that all deadlines are met. I am not afraid to take risks and trial innovative ideas in an evaluative way. I am punctual, reliable, trustworthy, conscientious, hardworking, enthusiastic, confident, flexible, quick and willing to learn. I always dress appropriately and work well individually or as a member of a team. Experience Waitress and Barmaid, Wharton Park Golf and Country Club 2008 – Present Outside of college and university (when I am at home), I am employed part-time as a waitress; bar person; managing a bar and working in the restaurant.  This job has developed my organisational and time management skills effectively. It has allowed me to develop communication skills of working independently and within a team; such skills have become instrumental when participating in group critics and discussions. Indeed, I have acquired numerous transferable skills that I believe I could apply to working in any establishment.  I have technical knowledge and Health and Safety knowledge required for working in a restaurant and/or behind a bar. As one of the most experienced staff at Wharton Park Golf and Country Club, when I lived at home I was often: left to run the bar, train other staff working in the bar or in the restaurant. Waitress, Ladies day, Wolverhampton Race Course, Annual Event, 2008 – Present Member of Charity Committee, Haybridge High School and Sixth Form, 2008 - 2010 As a member of the Students’ Charity Committee I helped plan and organise various events for charity, such as an annual Tea Dance for our elderly neighbours. Sports Captain, Baxter College, 2005-2008 As Sports Captain, fellow students approached me with their ideas for competitions and I would discuss such ideas with PE staff in the calendared meetings and help organise and facilitate the event, I also attended a netball coaching and umpiring course. Participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme was a challenge which resulted in me gaining the silver and bronze awards. This was an amazing experience as I learnt essential life skills that will remain with me for the rest of my life.

Qualifications to date Manchester Metropolitan University September 2011 – Present 1st Year studying Textiles in practice BA (Hons) Degree ·         Self-motivated to produce a high standard of work and meet all deadlines on or before time. ·         Develop work through drawing, research and experimentation to create a final body of samples. ·         Professional presentation Stourbridge College September 2010 – June 2011 UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design – Merit UAL Drawing Certificate – Pass Haybridge High School and Sixth Form Centre September 2008 – June 2010 A Levels:  Art – A           Psychology – C        ICT – C Baxter College September 2005 – June 2008 GCSEs Art - A* Graphics  - A ICT (dida) - A*, A, B, C IT - A* English Language - B English Literature - B Maths - B R.E - B History - C Biology - C Chemistry - C Bronze Duke of Edinburgh – 2006 Silver Duke of Edinburgh - 2008 Saatchi Gallery Competition - 2010 In 2010 my A level art work was chosen to be exhibited in the Saatchi Gallery, London. Skills ·         Fluent using both digital and analogue cameras’ ·         Well abled in using computers, including Adobe Photoshop and commercial tools. ·         Confident in screen printing ·         Confident in using a loom and weaving ·         Confident in dye lab ·         Can hand and machine sew ·         Confident in Fine Art, achieving a Grade A at A Level. ·         Work well as a member of a team ·         Work well as an individual ·         Good time management ·         Well organised ·         Confident in transferring: skills across different art disciplines and different life skills. ·         Open to constructive criticism. ·         Not afraid to take risks and trial innovative ideas in an evaluative way. Interests ·         I enjoy visiting galleries, exhibitions and museums worldwide. This summer, I am traveling around Europe to expand my knowledge of art and architecture. ·         I enjoy being creative and innovative with most things I do, from my university work to the way I dress and organise my room. ·         I enjoy skiing. References Kate Egan. Manchester Metropolitan University Head of Textiles in Practice (details on request) Chindie Panesar. Stourbridge College, Art Foundation Tutor (Details on Request) Stacey Umbers. Wharton Park Golf and Country Club, General Manager (Details on Request) If you have any further questions or wish to contact me, please do not hesitate to do so. Finally thank you for taking the time to read this.

Prototype

After seeing the youtube video I posted yesterday it gave me the idea of lanterns and lights which links back to my initial research into quantum dots. I have coiled newspaper for the top - I think this was really effective, although very time consuming. I think doing something like this, but more rugged, so less time consuming would be an interesting experiment. I also think it would of been more successful if I had made the circles smaller.  Newspaper is very versatile but unfortunately very time consuming when creating art work.

Books backed up

I have now managed to get hold of some books. After all my research and experimentation into newspaper, I feel as though I may be going back on myself however, I have about 7 times the amount of books shown in the photographs and it would be a shame not to use them. Either way I find the edges really interesting. I really like the 'look' old books have.

Inspir-lighting

I have been thinking alot about my initial research into lights. I think looking and researching into lanterns could be a really nice thing to do. It would tie my project together. The sculpture side and the lighting side. Rather than string I want to try and use paper. I realise this wouldn't be an appropriate material in everyday life,but as far as art goes I think it's fine.

Paper Shapes

So I have been experimenting. Just seeing what I can make and below is one of the things I came up with. I feel these could be successful as part of something else, like an add on to attract interest and to make something more decorative. I am now really happy that I have chosen the media of paper. The possibilities are endless!

Monster waiting to be revealed

I had been stacking and sticking these bits of newspaper together to create a textured stack, but it became too time consuming, so I turned it upside down and this the result. I think it's quite interesting it looks like some sort of fluid monster.

More inspirational artists and work...

struggling

I went searching around Manchester for books but my hunt was unsuccessful. I came home with loads of Manchester free newspapers and a couple of Argos catalogues. I did some artist research and took inspiration from them. Sculptures can also be hanging objects and with this idea in mind, I began making. Below is what I came up with. I think these could look really effective in all different sizes and hung at different heights as a collective group.