Contextual Research- Matthais Weischer

Matthais Weischer makes architectural installations that can only exist in two dimensions, using paint as the medium. There is an unrealistic, dreamlike quality to these interiors. This could also be enhanced by the lack of human interaction in each painting, they are like stage sets infused by abstract elements.

These first three examples are very simple interiors however not all of his work is like this. The last image is a perfect example of his busier paintings. I think the interior is very influenced by the 1960's.                                                                                                

                              

Contextual Research- James Casebere

Stairwell (1983)

Like Demand, Casebere constructs spaces and takes photos of these reconstructions. His work challenges reality, 'Casebere was drawn to construct his scenes of the past'. His early work explores the middle class home, led to the study of the suburbs. It also directed him to signal moment in the history of American architecture. The piece below strongly relates to my theme. Its clear Casebere looks at space and form.
I really the lack of colour in this piece, it reminds me of the stairwell i am studying in it natural lighting. It is an unfriendly space.

Green Staircase 2001

This photo from 1983 contrasts with the Green Staircase series from 2001. The subject is similar but there is an obvious development of style. What i like mose about this series in colour and how light bounces from the water and reflects onto the ceiling.

Contextual Research- Thomas Demand

Thomas Demansd works with constructed spaces. When we see the images, we assume the space is real, however it is completely built from paper. The matt surface of the objects is what tells the viewer there is something strange about the image. 'Thomas Demand has meticulously constructed the space according to his own methods- cutting and pasting together paper and cardboard in order to try and capture the essence of a location or environment'. Once Demand completes the structure, he carefully sets up a camera and tripod and with a long exposure, he take a picture of the space. I think there's an eerie feeling in Demands work, the images are cold and empty. The feeling associated with his photography is something I would aspire to capture in my own.

Exploring the Space- Liner Pattrerns

While I was researching colour I was also looking at the liner patterns of the stairwell. I was interested in overlapping so the images would be distorted and confusing. To test this out I drew the same area of the stairwell three times, shifting slight upwards in each one and this was the result. I'm not sure how this will develop or if I'll go on with researching in this way. At the moment I'm open to going in any direction.

Researhing the Space- A Lack of Colour

Exploring the space - Colour

To continue with researching unnoticed space, I have gone on with looking at colour. To start with I looked at the space in its natural lighting. I found the colours to be cold and harsh, overall not very inviting. This is one of the reasons why I chose the space. In the images, you can see how I've been comparing colour and materials.




Starting with paint, I exaggerated the colour and texture. Colouring pencils, I found, gave soft tones. I looked at neon colours, inspired by the photos of the toilets. 

Overall I am looking at heightened colour and if the space were actually this way would it be more inviting and would we take notice of it.  

Contextual Research-Len Lye A Colour Box

This was an advert for cheaper parcel post. The video was first direct film screened to a general audience. The animation was made by directing painting onto celluloid, painting vibrant, abstract patterns directly onto the film. For 1935, it was ahead of its time even though the process was quite simple. The video was played during the adverts before films. It is synchronised with popular jazz music of that time, this was new and fresh in the 30's. I researched this video after the colour lecture, I thought it would be the perfect piece to study in terms of colour, painting, rhythm, and composition.

Week 4 and 5

In contrast to the abstract painting of the crowd, I have been looking at empty, but still confined interior spaces. This is what I'm finding interesting about my project, looking at a confined space and how light and colour alters our perspective on the space. I began looking at hallways in the older part of the college building, using only black ink.

 This led me to look at a stairwell, once again in the older part of the building. Taking photographs, I looked at colour and how the natural light from the window created a cold, deserted feeling.

For some photos I used a flash and some without, this gave me a sharp, harsh photo and a slightly blurred, softer image. I intend to keep contrasting images, showing how using different techniques can change how we see the space.

I took pictures of an old toilet, studying the paint and plaster peeling off the walls and the overused toilets and sinks. What I'm finding most interesting about this work is how colour influences with our emotions.

I intend on working more with the old staircase, what I am interested in is changing the colour and lighting of this interior space, through paintings and sketches, and seeing what emotional effect it has on the viewer.

Contextual Research- Donald Judd, Anish Kapoor

Donald Judd

Colour Chart exhibition

I began to research was Donald Judd. I have an interest in colour and how it effects our perspective on a space. This is why I chose to look at Judds work. Even though he works in 3D using industrial materials, his use of colour completely transforms how we look at the piece. The sculpture above was part of the exhibition 'Colour Chart'. His minimal, geometric, hard edge style forces us to consider scale, shape and colour.

Untitled 1972

The metallic surface of his sculptures let light bounce of, another aspect of his work that appeals to me. His work has a functional quality, the simplicity and straightforward construction of his work makes me think of modern furniture.

Anish Kapoor

Anish Kapoors wax train, an enormos block of wax is pushed through the doorways of the gallery, to me, is completely striking, the intense red against the white of the gallery walls. The colour is what drew me in to this installation. Kapoor is obviously interested in the theme of war, the wax residue has a bloody, gruesome feeling.