As the first part of individual development from our work as a group on the "Beautiful Fictions" project, we got the opportunity to use a studio setup. We worked with an active photographer who specialises in still life photography, to photograph some objects (or people, sets, anything we chose...) that present the starting point for our exploration into the "Impossible Images" brief.
I initially struggled to find object and ideas that I wanted to shoot in this type of environment, as I felt quite restricted, especially as in my head I was going to be shooting outside and at night. However, what I find interesting is how, actually, the work I produced in the end of this project reverts back to the concepts and visualisations I explored in this studio workshop. With my mood board in mind, I chose to use the opportunity of having a neutral, studio background to experiment with photographing water, almost moving into the realms of action shots and capturing the motion of the flow. I was going to focus on the patterns and reflections that the water and the glass made on the tabletop setup with the lights, however bouncing ideas off of the photographer, we collaboratively created a tower of glass crockery to photograph the water pouring down onto, into and crashing through.
What I like most, especially with these two images in particular, is the difference in atmosphere between the calm, still water in the first photo, with the arms poised for action, and the forceful, almost violent overthrow of liquid from the glass out onto the entire surroundings in the second. This conflicting and contrasting extremes in atmosphere and tension is something I hope to portray in the final outcome for "Impossible Images".
STiLL liFe wOrKshOp
ProJeCt DeVeLoPmENt
Staying based in the Archway studios, I wanted to return to exploring the more authentic, raw creation of the double exposure/super imposed effect using lights and cameras, rather than photoshop. We set up the projector in the studio, and I experimented with moving image projected onto my model, to then video record the interaction and movements. This video on top of a video method was one way of giving that layered image effect without digital manipulation, and it is a shame that I didn't develop this idea further, however I found it kind of stood alone as a piece of work. I also don't have a projector at home, and with the constraints of time to use it in the college building, I decided to explore it to the most of my potential on that day alone, and then continue to develop my ideas outside of college for the rest of the project duration.
Really what I was considering in my work with the projector, was the relationship between humans and nature. Although impossible in this day and age, I like to think about a world in which man and nature can thrive together. the slow, almost surreal movements of the people against the projection of softly swaying trees results in this strangle tangle of movements - in this, I am suggesting how people and nature actually move in the same why, so why do we behave so differently? or do we? ...
BoY v. BrAnCHes
ConNcLusiOn - A Series of Uncomfortable Events
On Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday, we had the time to develop our ideas individually and outside of the Archway building. I used this time to somewhat combine my ideas to create one body of work exploring motion, dark atmospheres and unsettling actions. The basis of my moving image outcome, that I have titled "A series of uncomfortable events", is how everyday, normal actions can become triggering and evoke anxious feelings by going a step too far. Pouring a glass full to overflowing; licking your fingers to turn a page; flickering lights uncontrollably; applying lipgloss perfectly, and then getting some on your face; things that, when put on the spot, I felt made me uncomfortable...
In order to film all of my moving image work, I borrowed a small, rather old Sony Handycam from the CSM loan store - for this reason, the footage is kind of low resolution, however I feel that it lends to the tone and mood of the video. If I were to do this video again, I would've explored actions that are a bit more obviously uncomfortable, especially when they go too far. For example, burning food in a frying pan. Although I used a fast paced techno styles piece of music in the background to heighten the feeling of anxiousness and tension, I could have instead simultaneously used sounds that are unsettling, to further the concept.
In terms of editing, I only simply assembled the clips together. However, after the crit on Thursday, a lot of my peers used very complex effects and impressive transitions. Although I wouldn't have wanted to draw attention away from the minimal setting and presentation of my work - which encompasses the "hollow and empty" imagery I had initially about my impossible place - I would like to try using techniques such as split screen or interesting camera angles such as arial view to make my work more gripping.
pRoJecT ReFLeCtiOnS
crit feedback
- The outcomes produced are very effective in invoking the feeling of uncomfortableness - especially in the video, there is obvious familiarity of editing software.
- Good contextual references throughout sketchbook which helps flow of process and thoughts, which would be kind of confusing without (as I developed ideas on a tangent part way through)
- Video footage is well shot, with a good eye and professional looking finish.
- Could add more example of artworks, situations or other references directly related to what makes me feel uncomfortable, in order to back up my ideas and thought process.
- Resolution of the video could have been improved - there is a difference in quality between some footage because of lighting, which really highlights the grain. "It is quite jarring, but that could be the point?".
- Emphasise the unsettling actions and ideas - add more "disgusting" and "uncomfortable" ideas, sounds, etc. "Like nails scratching on a blackboard".
reflections on the project, from the 12 hour overnight task to the final outcome of "Impossible Images"
Looking back on my proposal for what I planned to do for this "Impossible Images" project, in reflection to the "Beautiful Fictions" task, I have continued to combine the key images from my initial stream of consciousness with the techniques and style of work we previously completed as a group.
I have also made various different moving image medium pieces, including short videos and gifs. The video work, certainly in the case of "A Series of Uncomfortable Events", creates a strong sense of the anxious atmosphere and interaction within the "impossible" environment, rather than the visualisation of the space/imaginary world - focusing on the impression of the place rather than the presentation. I explored movement, sound, lighting, actions, etc.
After having the group tutorial on Monday to discuss our plans for this project with a tutor, I can see that looking back at my proposition from the week before, some of my plans changed and evolved away from my initial expectations. I did not really shoot at night outside, nor massively edit the video work with any reverse motion or orientation manipulation. I wanted to focus more on the potential of what mood the camera alone could create, instead of special effects. We were advised to steer clear from creating a sci-fi type of environment/impression, and I think what I have done quite well, is present a very realistic, already apparent atmosphere of the place (not really "impossible") and ever so slightly push the boundaries of norm to result in this place where life would be intolerable, thus lending to this impossibility.
Something I could have done better, especially when I take a step back and look at all the work I have created this week, is bring more correlation and cohesiveness across the projects, that all feel somewhat disjunct and only loosely related. Without my annotations in my sketchbook, it if difficult to immediately see how I have developed the pieces and carried on my ideas from one to another. Something I struggle with is the intensity of these one week projects, so much so that I get so many ideas and try and string them all together to make one mega piece, when really, what I should do it take more time to process my thoughts, to then make a coherent and collective body of work that communicates the same message. For next weeks task, I am going to try to focus on simpler ideas, and executing them thoroughly and well.