Friday, October 7, 2011

about 'in and around'

Below, find a highly belated post providing a snippet preview of my latest portfolio. I am planning an exhibition - titled 'After Math' in late 2012 which will be based on this concept. The work will comprise of abstract sculpture, wearables and collaborative videowork.

I will update in the near furure.

Greetings

'in and around'



My current work evolved from my two previous exhibitions which explore shape and its transformation into form. The preliminary examples presented mainly ‘virgin’ or ‘unscathed’ forms and the endless physical possibilities of unaltered basic geometric shapes. Later on in the work, the shapes were symmetrically incised on major intersections and angles. By assigning symbolism to these geometric shapes, the process of manufacture evoked and gave rise to new metaphors and narratives. This methodology and approach provided the groundwork for my present concept.
I am currently undertaking a visual exploration of the ongoing mind-body ontological problem. It unpacks the idea of the inscription of a personal history on an entity. It does not endeavour to take a specific stance; it merely aims to evoke dialogue by highlighting causalities which are often hidden. The work is rooted in and references the mind-body duality by recording the ‘residue’ or result after physical impact.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

'earrings'























'Earrings', is an example of a type of 'everyday design', which is referred to in the text below. The image depicts a display 'object' composed by a jewellery vendor, and constitutes earrings (for sale) in a range of materials which is suspended on a cloth covered surface to create an eye catching 3D object in a busy shopping mall. Only on closer scrutiny of the display 'object' does the viewer become aware of the components which make up this 'object'. Often, the final aesthetic of 'everyday design pieces' is based on available resources (material and tools), relevant artisanal and cognitive skills levels, inherent and socially defined ideas of beauty, practicality and the functionality of the product within the given context.

Reflections: Design (ing)

"Design as an everyday process: Who designs?
“Everyone designs who devises courses of action aimed at changing existing situations into preferred ones." Herbert Simon
Thus, design as a type of problem solving involves an array of cognitive skills which include both systematic and chaotic thinking. It can deal with very precise and rather vague ideas; and requires linear or rational and imaginative calculation. It has been acknowledged that the design process comprises definite steps, but these steps do not necessarily occur in any specific sequence (Lawson, 2006). At some point the process involves identifying a problem and coming up with as many possible solutions in order to build a bridge between the problem and the solution; thus developing a clearer understanding of both of these simultaneously. Briefly described it can be summarized as an adhoc “pose-search-generate-test” model.
However, many have suggested that there is a clearly defined linearity to the process. There are many recorded models which can be viewed as flexible and adaptable outlines created to assist problem solving efficiency. These were constructed from a compilation of data collected in studies of the problem solving process in a variety of fields.

About everyday design: Problem solving is an everyday activity because problems are an everyday occurrence. Design is an activity that occurs on a daily basis and within every facet of life. Everyone designs: from preschool kids, self starters to doctors, housewives, artist and teachers. Design is about ‘…finding the optimum solution in a particular set of circumstances’ (Hanks, Belliston and Edwards, 1978). It involves using what we know and our available resources to make a plan or come up with a relevant strategy or solution. An example of an everyday design activity would be human communication: stringing elements together, be it words, numbers, sounds or visuals, in order to deal with the problem of communicating our ideas, wants or needs.