Premiere Vision Development

During this week I have started to think more about developing my Premiere Vision work. To do this I have started to play around with my paintings in Photoshop incorporating my ideas of my own theme of the 60s.

I wanted to look at other designers who have used more realistic floral drawings with geometric shapes for inspiration. To do this I used Pinterest.

 

 

This piece is by BCBG Max Azria Spring 2014. I really liked this piece, I think the combination of shape and motifs work well. The contrast of bold colors against the black works really well and looks very effective. This is something which I want to incorporate within my designs. I also like the contrast of sheer and block fabric this is something I will keep in mind when picking a fabric for my design.



 

 

This is a dress from the 60s by James Galanos, once again I love the way black has been used for the background to create a contrast with the floral motif. Within this pattern I particularly enjoy the contrast within the scale of the pattern which is true to the 60s. This piece also shows a contrast in block and sheer fabrics. In this garment the sheerness of the top is soft and delicate in comparison to the bold and brighter colors upon the block material for the skirt. From this I am going to take the idea of scale the contrast of materials used and the effect this can create.

 I am also going to incorporate the successful aspects from my project, these being stickers and geometric shapes; I am going to use my favorite technique of collage to combine all these aspects together. Within Photoshop I used this inspiration to start to develop my floral paintings; I took inspiration from BCBG Max Azria within the layout of my patterns. I also experimented with using black to create a contrast against my floral paintings.

 

 



I think that these first initial Photoshop developments where successful; I feel the contrast in colors and shapes has worked really successfully. To develop these ideas further I am going to start to use collage to add further details and geometric shapes.

 

 

Here I have used stickers and cut out geometric shapes from my floral paintings to add more details and color to my designs. I feel these have been successful allowing me to add the successful aspects from my 60s project making my floral s more me.

Next I started to think about how the designs could work for the context of fashion. To do this I used my shift dress view finder, I found in my 60s project this allowed me to consider placement of design.

 

 

I think that to continue to develop these ideas I need to go back and produce some new paintings and continue to develop theme in this way I am hopeful that I will create some exciting outcomes.



Final major essay

4): Choose two artists that address identity. Discuss a single work by each artist. Explain the ideas each artist is trying to represent and how they are expressed.

Jessica Spraggs

This essay will explain how and why the works of Andreas Feininger and Tatiana Parcero explore and express the theme of identity. I will analyse one piece of each artist’s work, discussing in detail what each piece represents and how they link the theme of identity.

The first piece of work by photographer Feininger, I have explored is entitled “Dennis Stock, New York City,1951” The photo portrays the acclaimed photographer Dennis Stock who won the LIFE Magazine amateur competition in 1951. Feininger took this now iconic photograph of stock as a result.[1]

For me this photograph represents identity; Feininger has taken away Stock’s identity by obscuring his eyes and making the photo all about the camera. Almost symbolising that the most important feature in Stock’s life was being a photographer; I feel this because Stocks eyes are framed by the shadow but hidden by the camera. Although the camera lens has been placed to symbolise Stock’s eyes giving the effect of one eye magnified to see almost beyond the mind’s eye into his imagination and thoughts, this draws you into the photo but takes away Stock’s identity. Stock spent his life looking through the lens of a camera hiding his true identity and persona.  Feininger says “realism and super realism are what I am after. This world is full of things the eye doesn’t see. The camera can see more, and often ten times better”[2]

The infamous Leica camera used in this shot has become the spotlight of the photograph; This iconic piece of equipment helped shape and mould the development of photojournalism

“The Leica camera is turned to one side so that the lens and viewfinder act as the subject’s eyes. Both lenses have specula highlights which mimic the catch lights seen in portraits. In addition, the image is beautifully printed with rich blacks and whites with detail. The eye is skilfully guided to the focal points (lens and viewfinder) in this image, likely through selective dodging and burning (selective darkening and lightening of specific parts of the image). It’s the combination of technical skill and well thought out composition that makes this image superb.”[3]

‘Vintage photograph’ have summed up all the points I have made with our opinions agreeing with one another it seems. Overall I feel that the image portrays Stock to be almost anti-human, becoming “part man, part machine”[4].  The iconic Leica camera which matched up with Stock’s character and ambition in being regarded as a distinguished journalistic photographer was staged in such a ingenious way by Feininger that you can see identity runs through the image with so much hidden meaning behind it, making me as the viewer intrigued.

My second artist choice is photographer Tatiana Parcero and her piece which is included in her collection entitled ‘Interior Cartography’. I have chosen an image which portrays a clenched fist and wrist with a pitch black background and upon which she has overlaid an old map relating to her culture and upbringing thus giving the image identity, memory and territory.

Parcero’s body is her canvas; she reinvents her life history by combining pictures of her body parts with diagrams, almost creating a map of her mind using all her body parts telling the story of her life, thus creating a new in depth identity for herself, redefining who she is as a woman. “ I explore inner and outer spaces such as maps as a starting point. With these images, I try to see through the memory of my body that which goes beyond the boundaries of the skin”[5]

For me this piece is trying to show the life of the artist through the use of maps; the maps show and highlight the up points and low points of her life. Communicating to the viewer, her identity, which has been shaped throughout her life with the places she has visited and lived. This has moulded Parcero into who she is now as a person. Also through looking at her images, I have seen that she has used busy maps on different body parts; using a heavily detailed map which has been overlaid upon her hands seems to signify aging and her life history. I believe that the clenched fist signifies that Parcero is a private person who finds it hard to let people in and struggles to tell them her story; therefore she bares her soul to the world through her art.  She does this by overlaying her life upon herself through the maps, showing everyone her identity and culture. Parcero obviously made these images for a symbolic reason to show life is more than skin deep and that it covers our bodies from inside to outside. Her anonymous persona stands out, making herself vulnerable, which is not in her nature.

In conclusion, both Andreas Feininger and Tatiana Parcero have tried to portray through their work how to signify identity through the use of media of photography. They have both succeeded in very different ways; one more obvious than the other. With Feininger, he is hiding the identity of Stock behind the camera which has so much meaning to Stock’s profession. Feininger’s use of the Leica camera was iconic statement and although this was not his usual style of photography, it has become his most famous shot.

 Parcero on the other hand, portrays the identity of her life upon herself using maps and imagery, but never opens her eyes; this portrays herself as a very guarded and private individual. It appears that she is almost scared to show herself as a whole person to the world, only showing sections of her body and life at different stages and never allowing you to see the whole story and her true identity.

Word count:- 1002

Bibliography:- The Great Life Photographers by John Loengard ; pages 170-171

[1] Gallerym.com

[2] The Great Life Photographers; Introduction by John Loengard; page 170

[3] http://www.photography.ca/blog/tag/vintage-photography/

[4] http://www.helium.com/items/1428436-andreas-feininger-photograph-photojournalism-the-photojournalist

[5] www.zonezero.com/exposiciones/.../tatiana/default.html

                                                                             

Andreas Feininger

                                 

                                                                     “Dennis Stock, New York City,1951”

Tatiana Parcero

‘Interior Cartography’

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Assessment Task 2: Conceptualising your own work

The inspirational work of Brie Harrison

Tutor :-Annabel Dover

In my 2D design I had the opportunity to explore the work of Brie Harrison. I looked at her work in my first project where I explored and compared the old with the new ways of making patterns through looking at Fleur de Lis and Folk Art; then I combined these together to make patterns. Brie inspired me to delve deeper into different ideas incorporating colour, shape and pattern.

Brie is a Print Designer & Illustrator based in the Suffolk countryside near London. She takes inspiration from nature, retro children’s books, vintage found fabrics, art deco prints and objects she has found while traveling. Brie takes a lot inspiration from her close surroundings in the tranquil North Norfolk coast; her main ideas are created when at the beaches with the beautiful miles of sand dunes. In comparison to this she also takes a lot of inspiration from her love of California for its contrast in nature, vintage shops and the most amazing Mexican food.

This is reflected in Brie’s work with a collaboration of bold shapes and colours harmonising together to create patterns which are a treat to the eye. The majority of Brie’s prints showcase floral shapes which have a very natural and real sense about them, yet at the same time they are very abstract this effect is enhanced by her bold use of colours.

I would describe Brie’s work to be Eclectic, happy and quirky. When I look at it I get a happy feeling it is very inspirational and uplifting. It has the ability to change the viewer’s mood and take them to a whole new place, making the work very unique and different these are all the things which have made me so interested in Brie’s work.

Like me Brie also takes a lot of inspiration from fellow artist, her main inspiration has come from David Weidman. Who is a printmaker, ceramicist, font designer, painter, cartoonist, and silk screener, Weidman was a very experimental artist. His combination of graphic shapes and use of saturated color palettes have combined to create vintage modern looks while remaining completely relevant to contemporary designers.

I feel that my work shows clear links back to Brie’s , all in all I was inspired by Brie to combine my shapes which I had taken and created from exploring the themes of Folk art and Fleur de Lis. I wanted in my work to create repeat patterns which highlighted and enhanced the shapes and colours within my prints I felt that this in the same way as Brie’s work would create interesting and eye catching pieces which could be used for a wide variety of things from fashion to home accessories.

Overall I am really pleased with how my patterns have turned out; I feel that this has been down to the ideas and inspiration I have gained from looking at Brie’s work. All in all I am very pleased and happy that I have learnt and gained new skills from the exploration of Brie Harrison’s pieces.

Word count 515

CONTEXTUAL STUDIES: Assignment task 1 – Visual analysis

Tutor:- ANNABEL DOVER

PAIR 3 Boccioni; Giacommetti

I have chosen to look at and analyse the sculptures of Boccioni and Giacometti.  My reasons for choosing these subjects is because I found them eye catching, unique and intriguing. The piece by Umberto Boccoini entitled ‘Unique forms of continuity in space’ is made of bronze; it stands 111.2cm high x 88.5cm wide and 40cm deep.  The figure represents a male form of strength and muscle, striding forward effortlessly, as if in slow motion yet still because it is set on blocks. It also shows power, this is based on Industrialisation and the Futurist movement which was founded by writers and artists such as Umberto.

The faceless figure without identity has no limbs on his upper torso. The sculpture gives the impression of flowing cloth draped upon it’s body which flows naturally behind him with fluidity and natural force. I feel that this sculpture represents power, strength and speed. The inspiration of this visual structure came from machinery such as cars and electricity and the radical effect it had upon our society in the early 20^th century. This sculpture is cast in bronze in 1949 after Boccoini died using his original cast form. To begin with Boccoini researched and explored the human form focusing on the muscles within the body; over 2 years he painted, drew, sketched and sculpted to created exacting studies of the muscular human form.  This combined research resulted in Boccoini’s unique sculpture ‘Unique forms of continuity in space’.

Alberto Giacometti’s sculpture I found to be intriguing. It was necessary to study the piece for several minutes to understand the visual concept that was meant to be understood by the observer. The piece entitled ‘La Foret’ circa1950 came upon ‘by accident’ when Giacometti grouped some figures on the floor and coupled together with his memory and imagination this brought about the composition of the piece. Giacometti could see that the figures resembled some trees in the forest from his childhood and in another view appeared as people standing together, seven naked women talking to one another with one male observer.  This appears to relate to Giacometti’s study of the inhibited lives of prostitutes.

The sculpted figures have a physically powerful vertical appearance; with the women he has elongated their proportions giving them the illusion of being tall and elegant, mimicking tall trees in a forest. Their heads are small in ratio to the rest of the figure creating an impression of distance. This has been enhanced by the two smaller figures in the distance showing perspective.

The sculpture ‘La Foret’, was made of bronze. In comparison to Umberto Boccoini’sunique forms of continuity in space’ which was also made of bronze the surfaces were very different. La Foret was very rough and bumpy, this was created after the Second World War. I feel that the texture represented the world as Giacometti visualised it, beaten up, run down, destroyed and unrecognisable. If I were to compare the two sculptures, I would say that Boccioni’s is strong and powerful; it has an air of wealth about it and confidence even. Giacometti’s piece is lifeless, almost dead, emaciated. So thin, almost invisible to the naked eye. I feel that comparing the two sculptures highlights the impact war had on art.

Word count 554