The Petcha Kutch presentations forced a fast thought process of idea and expression of concept. Doing it in this fast-paced way was challenging because I had never done this kind of presentation, but I found it was an effective way for idea generation form the group and this was helpful. Having 6 words to focus my project on allowed me to structure and focus my work according the words I had been dedicated. These were diversity, traditional methods, illustration, nature, storytelling, nature and juxtapose. Although I found juxtapose and diversity harder to explore in the narrative, the other words I felt I explored well in both aspects of the project the bowl form and second artefact.
The Gesamkunstwerk Bowl project was challenging for me, I struggled with the constraints of a bowl form as I have previously been quite open to exploration of material, form and scale allowing for a diverse and sometimes unexpected outcome whereas this project seemed quite controlled and predictable, challenging my creativity. This bowl project focused my skills into a vessel, I thought this initially would limiting my creativity, getting over this barrier allowed for an outcome that combined my previously discovered skills combining components of the book binding process, using papermaking, letterpress and printmaking. Using my dedicated six words: storytelling, diversity, nature, traditional methods, juxtapose and illustration. Considering the current times we find ourselves in, during the second welsh COVID-19 firebreak lockdown I became aware of a more intense feeling of isolation and loneliness being portrayed in the news and I could see evidence of this around me, this moved me to want to make this the subject matter of my bowl form. Using Roath park as the focus of my storytelling I used quick illustration of people walking around the lake, focusing on the older population or people walking in isolation. I then took these illustrations and using dry point printing I explored the use of ink to create negative space and the exaggerated feelings of isolation. Then applying these techniques to hand made paper made from COVID-19 news articles, this produced a grey tonal paper with large flecks of text created an interesting medium for me to explore traditional paper bowl making using paper mache. I then collaged letterpress text and prints to darken the interior of the bowl in order to intensify the feeling of loneliness through a sense of being trapped in your own thoughts this is the reasons for me placing him into the interior of the bowl. I carried this into the 60 second bowl video by overlaying news bulletins and headlines to create a sense of being overwhelmed noise (letterpress text). I used the video to take an elderly man on a journey through the park by making his arms and legs mechanical, by making him out of paper the sense of fragility is heightened.
This project took me out of my comfort zone and I started to explore materials that I would usually use (paper, letterpress, illustrations, stitch) and applied them in an unconventional way. Although this project did not go as smoothly as I had hoped I feel the video and the bowl form expresses the isolation I intended.
I decided to continue the themes I explored during the bowl project into the second artefact as I had struggled to understand and decide what I wanted to focus my work on. After conversation in group meetings I had come to the conclusion I want to continue to explore processes of print, papermaking and illustration and combine them with traditional book binding. The qualities of a book structure allow it to be tactile, personal experience (immersive), allow for reader engagement through imagery, visual, interactive, fluid, allow for sensual interaction of sight, smell, hearing and touch, the feel and type of paper.
My second artefact explores the feeling of isolation in a similar way to the bowl project. I wanted to create a book that complimented the bowl form. the book explores the layers of isolation felt by vulnerable and ageing people during the COVID19 pandemic both physically within the confines of their home and mentally. I made the paper from newspaper articles for the fragile qualities to represent the vulnerabilities of the old men and the stitching further explores the themes and defines the layers between the pages to create depth.
If I were to do these projects again, I would want to approach the themes with more confidence as I found I was unsure and indecisive when exploring my options, I found it set me back. I had quite a few wobbles during this process of exploration as I was still very undecided with how I wanted to continue into my final major project. Now I have cleared up my decisions and decided my intentions I feel more positive in continuing into the final major project. The limitations of the facilities slowed my production down as I was at home longer than I intended, but I now feel more confident with the studio and the booking process, so I feel next term I will be more competent and will be able to continue with my work in an effective way under time management.
Lara Hoad Artist Designer: Maker 