Politically motivated Art.

The main topic, currently, on the minds of most students or those about to apply to university, is the debate over university fees; and more importantly the decision to raise them to double their current amount (and in 'exceptional circumstances' triple.). 

I do agree that the government faces a difficult task of cutting the deficit, and therefore choosing which government funded areas to cut money from, however I'm not entirely convinced that having those who will be starting their working lives in a very difficult economic climate, with extreme competition for jobs and large house prices, also having the added burden of a possible £40,000 debt over their heads as well. 

However, I DO agree that any cause of debate in the world around us, especially politically motivated issues that affect many people directly, is a good basis for Art. 

Art that is created because of feelings or emotions about something many people are coping with or dealing with, makes it a real experience and completely relevant to the viewer.

I've begun looking into people/ groups who have responded to political events of their times using art. 

www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2008/sep/18/art.coldwar is an article on the artists and work that were developed during the Cold War. 

www.guerrillagirls.com is a feminist group which uncovers the dishonesty and discrimination all around us in. Racism, sexism, corruption in politics etc. They are very visual and also create posters, billboards etc. 

The poster above is from a guerrilla girls campaign in 2005.

www.judebuffum.com is brilliant. Buffum's work is a perfect example of what I am suggesting in politically motivated art.

My work stuff

Here is some of the work I've done recently that I quite like. It's all based around an abandoned shed I found, and the idea of it being an empty shell. Although if the shed is reversed into a negative image, suddenly the building has something inside and the whole idea is changed.
I have used a variety of ways to investigate the idea. I find using charcoal/chalk demonstrates; a, the contrast between the inside and outside of the shed, and b, the actual idea of the shed being filled with something.  The shed appears 'lit-up' from the inside which is exactly the idea I am going with.

Photocopy,celulose thinners, biro.

pencil, acrylic,fineliner.

(negative image) charcoal, chalk.

(negative image) oil-based printing ink

(negative image) oil-based printing ink, newspaper,lace,ink. 

 

newspaper, synthetic materials (cut/stuck with soldering iron), thread.

abandoned places.

While researching the use of abandoned places in Art, I've come across the 'Underbelly Project'.
In 2009 an abandoned subway chamber was opened so 103 artists could paint, getting one night each. it was to take away the commercialism that a lot of street art had become.  I thought this whole idea was amazing. Afterwards the chamber was sealed up, it could be discovered by later generations or just left to decay (which I think in itself would be pretty great).

I've also found the work of Michael Eastman, a photographer who travelled across America for documenting the many 'ghost towns' or places that once boomed with trade, and now stand, left to rust.

His photos show the textures, colours and the general feel of these places which are slowly disappearing. Go to http://weburbanist.com/category/abandonments for these articles and other abandoned areas all over the world.
http://weburbanist.com/2010/11/24/under-the-city-street-art-peels-back-urban-layers/  - also for A-mazing camouflage street Art.

Beginnings of my project

The idea for the project I am currently undertaking came from a variety of areas:

• The Conservatory at the Barbican
• Books such as 'Oryx and Crake' and 'The year of the flood' by Margaret Atwood
• Films such as '2012', '28 Weeks later' and 'The Road'.
• Finally, documentaries such as 'Life after people'.

All of these involved elements of man being wiped out and therefore nature being left to take over. I think this idea is so interesting and vast I could actually investigate it forever but I am currently looking at evidence of nature overtaking man-made objects now- which is all around in the form of ivy, climbing plants/ trees etc and natural disasters.
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/26415200@N08/sets/72157604922404379/ This link is to 'Earth's future' with drawings which include an impression of the world written about in 'Oryx and Crake' and 'The Year of the Flood'.
 Nature is so powerful, while investigating this idea I have noticed that really there is no competition between man and nature, it is as though we are just temporary- until nature can take back the planet.  

Will upload photos soon of the studies so far!

Day one.

I recently went out and about looking for an opportunity to create some kind of 3D mini-sculpture using nature and man-made objects. It wasn't a particularly successful day.... however it has given me more ideas for the future. I imagine you are on the edge of your seat with excitement.

While researching I obviously had a gander at Andy Goldsworthy's amazing sculptures.


My favourites (as above) are when Goldsworthy uses colours from nature; they are unbelievable! More of his work involves creating something, photographing it and re-photographing it weeks and weeks afterwards. This method demonstrates nature swallowing up whatever is left (in the same way an old banana skin disintegrates and a derelict house becomes awash with ivy and moss).

(Image above) Goldsworthy created a huge egg shape (a trademark design of his) out of ice. He re- photographed it at intervals until it was no longer there.

It is this idea which interests me the most; nature is the most powerful force of all and artists can demonstrate this well. Freshly inspired by 'The Goldsworthy' I'll go back out and re-attempt my mini-sculptures.

Also: http://www.ysp.co.uk/view.aspx?id=3  for some Andy Goldsworthy and a David Nash exhibition.