Odilia Bird FDA

Acetate of hotel images and cyanotypes: For the next development in my project I decided to print of my photographs of the hotel hallways onto acetate and use them to create some more cyanotypes onto calico. Again I used natural UV light for this and set up a table in a relatively sunny spot in my garden. Unfortunately, the wind managed to catch the corner of most of them knocked them off the table onto the floor and these pieces were exposed without the acetate. I did manage to get two cyanotypes that had some sort of image on them, one better than the other.  This first image is the one that I think is the most successful out of the two, I have had to iron the calico to be able to take a clear photograph as the the material has become creased while it was drying. The acetate that was used is and image focusing on the mirrors of the hotel hallway and I think that the overall result is nice and you are able to tell what it is. However, the image is not as clear as I would have like...

Alun Kirby: I was introduced to the artist AlunKirby when speaking to a tutor about the themes of my project, they mentioned that Kirby had created a piece based on the theme of memory which tied in with my themes of the subconscious. This piece is called Photographic memory, when I look at this work I can see the fluctuation in the blue tones. They go from light to dark clashing with each other and creating depth within the image. The words that has been overlayed and overlapped blend into each other and distort, the edges and lines are blurred as if the artist is struggling to remember but writing down as much as they can anyway, there is a sense of desperation in this. The black spots are jarring and they seem out of place within the work, when I look at them I think that these areas must represent lost memories and the gaps that they create within a persons mind. I think that this is a very effective way  to showcase this and certainly draws the eye visually. I'm intrigued by t...

 Sewing machine and sticking calico together: To make my first attempt at a patchwork wall hanging I used a sewing machine to stick my previous cyanotypes together. For the composition I moved each piece around and found placements that allowed the edges of each piece to more or less line up without looking to messy, however, for future pieces this is something that I will pay closer attention to as I want the work to look professional and put together. I have little to no experience with sewing machines and was struggling to figure out how to use the one at college, for my first attempt at a stitch I placed two of the cyanotypes together with one overlapping onto of the other and used the neon yellow thread that was already in the machine and the stitching was visible on the front of the work. For my next attempts I managed to get some help from someone more experienced and they showed me how to thread the machine properly, they also suggested a neater way of sewing by placing the...

Cyanotype onto calico test pieces: for the first stage of my project I really wanted to try and created cyanotypes on some new materials and fabrics, to do this I cut up pieces of calico into varying sizes and set up a table in the brightest spot in my back garden. I decided to gather a mixture of flowers and leaves from my garden and placed them on top of the calico and left them all out in the sun for about half an hour until they were fully exposed. I ended up with five cyanotypes, when looking at them I noticed that the sun had managed to get underneath some of the leaves and flowers causing the images to be slightly faded with blurred sides. The edges has a fuzzy aspect to them and I think that this allowed the subjects to seem softer and gentle. On each piece the images seem to fade in and out with some areas standing out more and contrasting the darker blue of the background, and I believe that this effect invokes this surreal and dreamlike atmosphere within the cyanotypes. In t...

 Research: liminal spaces photography: After a one on one talk with my tutor, we spoke about surreal spaces and liminal spaces as a source for my primary research. While staying in a hotel a noticed the during the evening the hallways and stairwells become devoid of any people, and because of this I found these areas to have a surreal aspect to them. It felt odd to me to see spaces that were created for people no have people in them, it felt like a creepy contradiction.  I decided to take this first image of the hotel room because I was struck by how odd the room and archway looked while there was no one there. The photo has been taken at and angle that attempts to showcase the doorways, archway and the wardrobe making it seem as if you are looking at the room in a diagonal line. I find that the colours within this room are very muted and the beige seems to almost overwhelm the room. I think that the wardrobe provides a nice contrast to the lighter tones of the walls and carpe...

Hanna Lamb: While researching Cyanotypes and working with I came across this artist who works with with Cyanotypes and fabrics. I am definitely interested in working with fabrics during this project as well as stitching and Lamb demonstrates both within her work. The first work 'Material Touch' showcases Cyanotypes and sewing combined with each other to create a contemporary image. The lighter and darker blue tones create depth within the work and the image of the hands is clear creating a human connection between the piece and the viewer. I think that the hand stitching stands out nicely and seems to ground the work, the hand crafted element of the threads contrast the more ethereal undertones of the Cyanotype. When looking at the second piece 'Deconstructed Cloth' I am really interested in the way Lamb has managed to hand up her piece. While thinking about the themes of my project I was contemplating creating wall hanging and seeing this artists work I am convinced th...

 Nick Frank: When looking at these two image I can immediately see the open and empty space that is being created. the bright, white tones that have been used create a sterile and vacant atmosphere as if both images are completely vacant of any life or joy. In the first image the lines seem to be straight and uniform, with the staircases all pointing in the same direction and the balconies being the same distance apart. This image seems cold and uninviting, not only because there are not people but because of the repetitive and overwhelming geometric lines and shapes. There is something futuristic about both images, as if they aren't even real places just imaginings of what could be some day. I think that this creates this unreachable and fake feeling within the work, as if they are film sets created for temporary use. I think that the yellow in the bottom image is bold and stands our against the bright white surrounding the rest of the work. The reflections create layers and symme...

Artist research: Salvador Dali This is such an iconic image 'The persistence of memory' and I believe that it is something that everyone thinks about when talking about surrealism. The main elements of this work that I am drawn to is the way the artist has portrayed space within the work. the space is mostly empty but focus is drawn to the melting, dream like clocks. This creates a very confused and unnerving atmosphere within the image, as if the viewer is stuck in a dream and can't wake up while watching the world around them melt. The empty space creates a feeling of loneliness and abandonment which I think reinforces this dreamlike feeling. In terms of form I think that the curves of the clock create an element of movement within the work and the longer you stare at the more more you think you can see them move. I am defiantly interested in the way the artist has protrude and used space within this work and would like to try and create liminal spaces within my own work ...