Tag Archives: sculpture

The One With The 50 Shades Of Comparison

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In this Fifty Shade assignment, I have chosen two of the project that I am going to compare and contrast.

  1. Art Stage Singapore, an annual Art Fair here in Singapore. Link to project.
  2. The Fragility Of Time, a series of sculpture by artist  Ignacio Canales Aracil. Link to project

These two projects are chosen mainly because they overlap each other in terms of an artwork in an Art Fair. I will attempt to make a timeline for both project to visualise and understand the process they took for this two projects. Moreover, it makes perfect sense as there will be some parallel events and contrasts between the two projects. In this essay, I will include scope, scheduling, budget, life-cycle, and projects objectives for Art Stage Singapore & The Fragility Of Time. I will also make a mock example where The Fragility of Time will be shown at the Art Stage Singapore.

Before I begin, let me briefly introduce those 2 projects.

Art Stage SingaporeIMG_7494Firstly, Art Stage Singapore is an annual leading art fair where they gather the region’s top contemporary artwork under one roof. It aims to ignite the art market in the South East Asia region by attracting private collectors and corporate buyers. Galleries are handpicked from Asian and Western countries that complement each other. However, Art Stage Singapore is focussing on Asia hence the ratio of asian galleries to western galleries is 3 to 1. Art Stage Singapore is founded by Lorenzo Rudolf, who used to be the Director for Art Basel.

The Fragility Of Time by Ignacio Canales Aracil

Secondly, the artwork titled The Fragility Of Time by Ignacio Canales Aracil. This series of sculptures are made from pressing flowers and plants together to form them. These flowers are collected from private gardens and galleries from different part of the region. So in a way it is a collaboration between the gardens and the artist as well. These flowers are do not use any other material to hold them together except the intricate weaving pattern. It takes about 1 month let the flowers sit and dry before moving it to the gallery to be shown.

Project Manager
In this 2 projects, the Project Manager can be easily identified. Lorenzo Rudolf might be the founder of Art Stage but I still feel he has the final say in things so I would assume that he is the Project Manger in Art Stage Singapore. In the case of the Fragility of Time, it is straightforward, the artist is the Project Manager.

As the project manager, Lorenzo will need to determine which team he would need. He would probably need a small team around 10 for example to make everything possible to happen. He would then need more temporary staff to run the day to day errands during the event itself, for example, ushers and crowd controllers and securities. For Ignacio, he run the project as a sole proprietorship. As he is also the artist, he need to wear many hats in the making of this project.

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Above attached is a timeline that i have created to compare and contrast the type of management and events that might took place in the 2 projects. Feel free to press on the image to see it in a larger format. In this timeline, I decided to go with 6 months as I make an estimation. However, I am aware that planning of an art fair could take place longer. Given Art Stage have been here since 2010, I assume they have enough experience to reiterate their planning. Again, let’s assume that The Fragility of Time is being exhibited in the Art Stage, hence this way, we are able to see the contrast and parallel events clearly.

Scheduling
In scheduling, Art Stage Singapore took a longer time to plan and execute as it requires a lot of planning and detailing to ensure the event is a successful one. In this case, I give 5-6 months before the Art Stage takes place in January. This including handpicking of galleries to exhibit in Art Stage. As Art Stage depends on the galleries to do all the work in a sense, picking and liaising with the art galleries is the most important task in my opinion. From the date of the first planning, the scheduling will take the course over 6 months till the end of Art Stage Singapore. However, I feel there will be an amount of time used for the need for closure, those closing the deal kind of thing.

For Ignacio, his scheduling period starts when he is chosen as one of the artist to represent the gallery in Art Stage Singapore. As as Spanish artist, he needs to consider the time differences to communicate with his contacts over in Singapore. Right after he come up with a new design for his sculpture, he would need to find his flowers and since he always uses the exhibiting country’s flowers, I assume he would need to contact the Singapore Botanical Garden to supply him with the flowers. This collaboration with SBG and Ignacio may take a longer time to plan. If Ignacio have no trouble coming down to Singapore 2 months before the exhibition, then the whole process will be a smooth one. His sculpture need a month to dry and production phase would probably take place somewhere in early December. His scheduling for this project will end when the Art Stage Singapore event is over.

As you can see, there are parallel activity especially during the exhibition period. Both projects takes a few months to plan and finish and this is clearly shown in my drawing above. Scheduling is also the same as the life-cycle of this 2 projects as shown in the drawing as well.

Budget
As Art Stage Singapore gets the bulk of their profit by getting an amount of percentage of the galleries sale, their budget of the event should probably be a higher value. Running an event as large as Art Stage Singapore, takes a lot of funds and moreover, they have sponsors and partners. Singapore Airlines, Marina Bay Sands Singapore, National Art Council, National Heritage Board and Le Free Port are just some of their Official Partners! Furthermore, as the government are pushing Singapore to be an art hub in the region, getting the budget is not really an issue, like how we have seen the case of Sonoport.

On the other hand, Ignacio and his flowers might not be getting the VIP treatment as Art Stage though. In this case, the gallery that is representing Ignacio might have some funds for him to use for his production. From my experience, artist is able to write in to their country’s art council to ask for some money if they were to represent the country for an art exhibit overseas. So Ignacio could also do this to get more budget. Ignacio also have to prepare some budget for his stay in Singapore as well.

Looking at both different projects, both projects should have no trouble getting the budget that they need. Budget is very important as they will determine the quality of work being done and also the scale of it.

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Taken by me at Art Stage Singapore 2016

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In Summary, the 2 projects are of different scale and size, however, the similarities is they as artists, Lorenzo and Ignacio wants the best for their portfolios. Making an artwork or staging an art fair required a special kind of taste and by contrasting these 2 projects, we are able to see the different steps being taken. The life of an artwork starts when the process of making it begins but the Art Stage Singapore, the happenings begin on the first day of the event till the last visitor exit the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre. In terms of project management, there is also some contrast especially having a team running the event and working solo as I have pointed out above.

Reference Website:
http://el-nogal.tumblr.com
http://www.artstagesingapore.com

The One With The Safety Hat Documentation Video

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Here is the final documentation video for the first exercise.

Through out this semester, I am going to produce works that is along the theme of Construction.

This will help me to stay within a theme and challenge myself to be more creative in terms of working around this theme.

It is also relevant in our Singapore’s society.

This idea was spark with this first exercise when I am using the yellow helmet.

The One With The Yellow Hat

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My second idea was a little more realistic. I decided to think simple, compared to my previous idea. I choose a yellow Construction helmet. Below is my sketch and my reasoning behind it.

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As the construction helmet is to actually protect our head from any falling objects in construction site, I still feel that it can still kill you.

So I see the head as the main concept here, which we use everyday. We see with our eyes which is on our head, we use our brain which is located inside our head and in a way, it is our temple, where we keep our insanity and where we make sense of everything.

I wanted to challenged that notion with making a construction helmet which covers the whole head instead of just the top of our head. In terms of our assignment in twisting our perception, I think it relates because when one is wearing this helmet, not only they can’t see, they are practically super safe, because  the helmet is covering the whole face! You do not have to worry about poking yourself in the eye while you walk!

This was the idea that I am trying to play with.

I also make some sketches that I imagine the helmet will look like.

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I bought the helmets and start to assemble them with tape to just see how it will look like. I even wear it to see if it fits.

3F2A6792 copy

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For now, it is still ongoing as we speak.

The One With The Kaws

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KAWS is known for his painting but he creates bigger than life sculptures. Definitely he work with a construction company to create the sculpture. From sketching the first draft to going to the factory to inspect the quality of the craftsmanship of the work.

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http://hypebeast.com/2015/12/kaws-teases-yorkshire-sculpture

Week 2: Africa In Another Light

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All images I have of Africa was all from Hollywood movies and documentaries from Nat Geo or Discovery Channel. Africa have this stereotypes that it is a very poor country where only a small percentage of people who are wealthy. And who can not imagine Africa without the Blood Diamond conflict?

Digging for diamonds in Marange, Zimbabwe. Photograph: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP

Digging for diamonds in Marange, Zimbabwe. Photograph: Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/AP

Plus, Madiba who was everybody favourite person in the world who proves that prison does not need to break a person.

Pienaar receives the 1995 rugby World Cup from Mandela: 'During those six weeks what happened was incredible.' Photograph: Philip Littleton/AFP/Getty Images

Pienaar receives the 1995 rugby World Cup from Mandela: ‘During those six weeks what happened was incredible.’ Photograph: Philip Littleton/AFP/Getty Images

And I also listen to music where some artists speaks about Africa, especially Sierra Leone. Kanye West have a song.

 

Plus, those naked tribesman from ‘The God Must Be Crazy’ and all those documentaries about the rich cultures of those tribesman are images I have in my head. I never knew that ivory was used to make amazing sculptures until I seen the slides! Currently, diamonds is being valued but back in the 16th century, ivory was a material that was used to create beautiful sculpture. It’s no wonder they call ivory as the ‘white gold’.

Obviously when the Portuguese came into shore to West Africa, they play a big influence on the Africa culture and this is evident in the ivories that they produce during this time.

Take a look at this for example.

Oliphant Sapi-Portuguese style Sierra Leone, late 15th century Ivory, metal 64.2 x 16.4 x 9cm National Museum of African Art

Oliphant
Sapi-Portuguese style
Sierra Leone, late 15th century
Ivory, metal
64.2 x 16.4 x 9cm
National Museum of African Art

This Oliphant or also known as side blow horns, is a good example that marries both Portuguese and African aesthetics. They are use for group hunting excursion in Europe.

A close up of this image we can see that the design is very intricate. The image below shows a close up and we can identify the cross which symbolises Christianity. Surrounded by intricate geometric patterns, its mimicking african textiles patterns. Actually, all the patterns of this Oliphant could be consider african aesthetics.

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Here, there is an image of a badge which is the coat of arms of the Portuguese royal house. This clearly tells us that this must be a commission work by the royal family. We can also see a figure on the left wearing a very fanciful robe which might be of royal design. The figure is also seen wearing a hat covering his hair which could also symbolises importance status.

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Here, it shows a hunt scene featuring many animals. I can identify stags, boars and many more that can be found in both Europe and Africa. These animals might represent Africa as a rich nature homes for these animals.

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Again, here is a very large coat of arm surrounded by a bird, most probably a phoenix, which represent royal and also strength. This object must be an important object to the royal then. The phoenix is also carved out in a very african aesthetics unlike a western representation of a phoenix. Screen Shot 2015-09-02 at 12.40.58 pm

The craftsman who did this Oliphant clearly balances the portuguese and African influences in one design. The material itself already is a clear representation of Africa during the 16th Century. Ivory sculptures like this were usually sent to the Portuguese as gift from the locals and even for sale. The Portuguese sees ivory as a souvenir material as they don’t have plenty back in their home town.

My perception of Africa have clearly been one sided and this tells us the rich history that Africa have way back then during the time of colonisation.

 

Anthropomorphic Objects by Ana Jofre

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At Vancouver, I attended an artist talk. All these artists are actually professors and professionals working in university all over the world. One of the speaker was Ana Jofre. Dr. Ana Jofre. She’s currently in OCAD University doing a research position.

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She was sharing her project on anthropomorphic objects which she is interested on and large based on her artwork and practice.IMG_3440

Her first artwork she shared is titled Monster Jofre. See that little hairy guy there, that’s Monster Jofre. Basically, Monster Jofre is an interactive sculpture that responds to people’s presence. When one comes up next to Monster Jofre, the head will turn and face you. Below is a video that shows just that

 

Right after she showed us that video, she went on to explained the rationale behind her practice and work. She mention that the lagging of Monster Jofre’s head turn create an awaited anticipation for the viewer. Personally, the lag works for me as it shows normal human behaviour sometimes.

Ana also mention that her work is based on a human form because the human form is uncanny and furthermore simplistic form that is relevant to all of us; being able to recognise another human form.

Monster Jofre is actually female with fur which explores the confusion of gender in the society as well. Ana proceeds to share with us how this artwork explores what it means to be human. From instant judgement of Monster Jofre to accepting how the sculpture looks like.

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Her other human form sculpture also take her last name as this is something I am wondering about actually. I suspect that Ana Jofre is creating a part of herself into theses sculpture and by placing her name as part of the artwork, they are a representation of her. I wanted to ask her this question but I never got the chance to.

 

Ana then puts these sculptures into narrative sequence. Since they are taking in a human form, I guess it is only right that they too, have a story to tell about their life and personality. Even though Monster Jofre is just a big hairy fur, Ana Jofre mentions that these objects do have personality. Like a puppet, Ana Jofre directs them in situation for example, sitting in a bench at a park. IMG_3444

Taking selfie with Ana Jofre’s artwork has become an obsession for some in this selfie-digital world. Giving storyline to the photograph creates a reference and give life to the motionless sculpture, Ana proclaims.

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I really enjoyed Ana Jofre’s presentation about her practice. By combining robotic, interactive and sculptural into her work, I believe each of them compliments each other to give a complete experience for the viewer. For example, a robotic sculpture usually takes no form of a human form but instead, bare and metallic. By making a human form robotic, it makes her work more relatable to us. Moreover, it is also interactive! A very friendly artwork that is accessible to all of us. I also feel that putting her sculpture into photograph which creates narrative adds another layer into her work. I have attached a photo of Monster Jofre which is more clear to see.

Monster Jofre

About the artist: Ana Jofre.

Here’s what Ana Jofre wrote in her website pertaining to her Artist Statement:

“I’m interested in the emotional response that anthropomorphic objects elicit, and in our desire to imagine life within them. My life-sized ‘people’ are the artistic output of playful musings on this idea, merging sculpture with puppetry and some robotics, with the intent of evoking a (pleasurable) sense of uncanny ‘presence’. The human figure, as a form with which to communicate, and the themes of presence and personality are key throughout all my artistic products, which include ceramic sculptures and pencil-drawn portraits.”

Her website: http://onewomancaravan.net/index.html

There isn’t a website that feature this particular work though.

In her website, she does a lot of sculptural work which takes a form of a human. Even though her background is in Physics, she started pursuing art as a professional practice. Maybe her background in Science does help her a lot in determining the scientific backdrop of a sculpture and human features.