Tag Archives: assignment 1

#throwback: Other artists

Besides Agnes Martin, I actually looked up on Ed Moses and a little bit on Sol LeWitt. So I went to the ADM library and borrowed these books (see below) for further reference.

Although the research of these 2 artists are brief, I managed to get some information about them and their techniques.

First of, we have Sol LeWitt.

2D Lines - Monoprint (16)  21lewitt_portrait_original

Sol LeWitt is a leading figure of Minimalism and pioneer of Conceptual art. LeWitt’s work is characterized by serialization, repetition, and progression, exemplified by his iconic open-grid structures. LeWitt’s wall paintings are just about the same as Agnes Martin, lines are mathematically drawn. In LeWitt’s case, once he does the calculations and planning, he would get his assistants to carry out the work for him with specific instructions.

As you can see here, assistants does the work instructed by LeWitt.
As you can see here, assistants does the work instructed by LeWitt.
Installation of the wall painting. Accurately drawn by hand following specific instructions by LeWitt.
Installation of the wall painting. Accurately drawn by hand following specific instructions by LeWitt.

I actually watched a documentary before about LeWitt’s art techniques and how he works in the industry. They actually showed his assistants working on the installation — not 1 or 2, but at least 4 people working on a wide wall.

Next, Ed Moses, the artist.

[CLOSE UP] Monographs of Ed Moses (and the process of his art-making) by Radius Books.
[CLOSE UP]
Monographs of Ed Moses (and the process of his art-making) by Radius Books.

Venice Mag 1_EMAIL

I considered myself lucky to have found the book (see above) in the ADM library. Although the weight was a total burden, I had to do what I had to do for research — BORROW IT!

In the book contained bits and pieces of the artist, his artworks, and FAQs. I admit I was solely interested in his artworks besides anything else. But I picked up a few information from the book as well.

Ed Moses…..

  • Prefers taking risks, moving beyond what he already knew
  • Focuses on profound possibilities and challenges of abstract painting
  • Thinks that painting is an adventure whose ultimate reward is knowledge of self

Techniques

  • Mainly uses watercolours for his paintings
  • Multi-coloured to monochrome
  • Structure of diagonal & parallel lines
  • Early paintings formed by a grid
  • Concept of “Playing with Chaos” — painting without rules or preconceived compositional goals
  • Works on both sides of the canvas, allowing bled through ghosts from one side to prompt composition painted on unusual materials with unusual tools

Interesting information of his techniques are actually the materials he used for his artworks. As stated above, he uses unusual materials like raw mahagony and unstretched canvas; unusual tools like long-handled mops, sponges and squeeges, besides normal rollers and brushes.

(There’s more…)

Moses also used….

  • Translucent, light-reflecting materials — unstretched canvas, powdered pigment, resin, off-white drafting tissue and Rhoplex
  • Paint with spray gun — using insoluble mixtures of oil paint, acrylic & shellac

Here are some snapshots of his artworks from the book. (I should have done proper citation of the images. My bad!)

2D Artist Ed Moses (20) 2D Artist Ed Moses (23)

LOOK AT THE GRADIENT!
LOOK AT THE GRADIENT!

 

Most of the time when I continued to flip the pages, I was in awe with how contrasting and bold Moses’ artwork are.

In conclusion with these 2 artists, I mainly looked at their artworks for inspiration and motivation to continue coming up with whatever I have at the back of my mind. I didn’t really plan to follow this artist to that type of art piece, I just do without thinking. Then when Prof Ina mentioned mine had some of Agnes Martin’s work in the monoprint etc, I was like…… “really?”

Funny how I didn’t even realised that!

Hard copy journal to….OSS.

Cover page of my hard copy journal. It is a compilation of the research and techniques I did throughout the assignment.
Cover page of my hard copy journal. It is a compilation of the research and techniques I did throughout the assignment.
Flipping the pages til its at the experimentation technique of Decalcomania/Rohrsachach Test. After trying out one that was lacking of ink (and drips of water), I tried out with blobs of ink on the paper and then pressing it down and getting bold effects.
Flipping the pages til its at the experimentation technique of Decalcomania/Rohrsachach Test. After trying out one that was lacking of ink (and drips of water), I tried out with blobs of ink on the paper and then pressing it down and getting bold effects.
Experimentation technique of splattering (or dripping) paint inspired by artist Jackson Pollock. I actually find the technique therapeutic as it took away the frustrations I was having during the time. I ended up feeling slightly relaxed right after. And then I did it again...
Experimentation technique of splattering (or dripping) paint inspired by artist Jackson Pollock. I actually find the technique therapeutic as it took away the frustrations I was having during the time. I ended up feeling slightly relaxed right after. And then I did it again…
Experimentation technique of Froissage using chalk pastel instead of soaking the paper with ink. I like how the tone complements the creases and from afar it look more like a mosaic.
Experimentation technique of Froissage using chalk pastel instead of soaking the paper with ink. I like how the tone complements the creases and from afar it look more like a mosaic.
This page consists of planning of how I would come about collaging the sets of monoprints. These lines drawn were referred from Ed Moses' artworks -- how the lines are placed etc.
This page consists of planning of how I would come about collaging the sets of monoprints. These lines drawn were referred from Ed Moses’ artworks — how the lines are placed etc.
This is an overview of the emotions and some reflection I did about trying to sort the lines with the emotions.
This is an overview of the emotions and some reflection I did about trying to sort the lines with the emotions.
This shows 3 out of 18 lines interpreted and sharing of the techniques used for the various strips. (There are more of the strips in the hard copy journal itself only that I took a few)
This shows 3 out of 18 lines interpreted and sharing of the techniques used for the various strips.
(There are more of the strips in the hard copy journal itself only that I took a few)

 

“A Line is a dot that went for a walk.”

Throughout the assignment, I made full use of the layout pad to compile everything I have done into the hard copy journal. It consists of doodling, inspiration images I captured, the different experimentation of automatic techniques, and personal reflection based on research and consultation.

The line definitely went for a walk last Friday during submission and it’s not coming back anytime soon.

Another round of trials

I always have these ideas at the back of my mind when I have some “me time”, so I decided to have another session of self monoprinting at my balcony.

Slide9 Slide10 Slide11

 

So I decided to try several techniques, as attached in the set of pictures above:

  • Top set contains the techniques of Decalcomania
  • Middle set contains mixture of inspired Jackson Pollock splattering of paint technique, standard monoprint, and the dripping of paint/ink technique.
  • Last set contains inspired Mehndi or Henna art (4th and 5th from the left), inspired Art Attack technique of painting over dried glue (first 3 from left) but it failed when the glue flattens as it dries up, and, technique somewhat similar to Sand Painting except the minus off the glue and the sand and replacing it with just baby powder.

*Just some reflections*

I had this thought to myself whereby I feel that most of the time when I do these monoprints and automatism techniques, my mind would be completely blank. Sometimes during the monoprint sessions, I would just loose myself into whatever I was doing, using whatever resources and not actually thinking what I want to achieve in the printing. For example, putting this and that on the mat. Or when trying out the Rorschach tests, I don’t try to draw anything in particular, I just spam inks here and there and that’s what I get.

On the other hand, while trying out the Jackson Pollock technique, I was splattering the ink while I was feeling rather upset, and as I splat more inks, the emotions followed and I actually felt better when I was done.

Definitely so, art is therapeutic!

Another quick video before you leave!

“Fragments of my Polaroid”

4D Fragments of Polaroid (14) 4D Fragments of Polaroid (15) 4D Fragments of Polaroid (16) 4D Fragments of Polaroid (17) 4D Fragments of Polaroid (18) 4D Fragments of Polaroid (19) 4D Fragments of Polaroid (20) 4D Fragments of Polaroid (21) 4D Fragments of Polaroid (22) 4D Fragments of Polaroid (5)

After consultation, I retake my photos to include myself in the pictures. This time round was emphasizing on the fragments of the polaroid.

These fragments shows about what I like or what I own or anything about me related to the place etc. For example: my room, my garden-that-I-walk-pass-everyday, my friend, my favourite past time, my view from my window, my #OOTD, and my view from the roof.

At the end of the day, after setting up the films on the wall, I felt rather accomplished that I managed to complete this assignment. I mean, don’t you feel great looking at your photos nicely set on the wall, imagining it to be in the museum gallery or exhibition?

*self pat on my back*