Installation - Autumn Seminar 2023
The Autumn Seminar for the MAF programme was held from the 11th of April to the 15th of April. Was a bit of a challenging week with some personal challenges and my uncle passing away which were both on critique days! My install was mixed both being on the floor, and on the wall. They were works that I created with an unconventional material that I wanted to display in a more conventional way - on the wall. I did not particularly want to put them on the floor as the works were not made for that. I understood the intention behind testing them on the floor and the merits in it but I do struggle with letting go and having things presented in a certain organised way.
Artists who use the algae-based bioplastic display their works suspended (Jessie French) or on the ground and draped (Raewyn Martin). I wanted a point of difference in displaying them on a wall. I do understand that the making process would seem to lend to them being on the floor and the transparency creates brings the textures of the floor (in this case the aggreagat’s in the concrete) into the work and creates a relationship with the space. But I just didn't feel the conventional rectangular shape which made them more drawings to me, were ideal on the floor. More organic shapes maybe - I probably also just had a vision and felt the installation was higgledy-piggledy and disorganised as a result. But it’s testing and a way to promote and refine ideas and I do appreciate that.
Installing the works is challenging due to the materials properties - it is moist and a bit oily so nothing sticks. I used magnets.
The works on the wall started to ooze and drip down the wall which I wanted them to do but atmospheric conditions and time affects how much they will do this. These were the works that more represented the distress of pollution in bodies of water.
The suspended work and works on the floor included those that captured outcomes from collaborating with the beach and the ocean, the drawings at the waters edge. They become a snapshot of a moment in time and of a process.
Critiques
The critiques were held on Tuesday and Friday morning. Did not really know what to expect from them. Generally found from the critiques and general conversations that opinions on preference of wall or floor installation were quite evenly split or the merits in both installation methods could be seen. The floor works seemed to reflect process more. It was good to see how people read the install and suggestions.
I think I need to refine an idea or theme and work to that. In my enthusiasm for the material and its quirkiness I am probably mixing too many ideas in works I had in the installation. Need to choose 1 idea and stick to it. If I made work for the floor specifically with that installation method in mind from the outset then I would be happier with the outcome too.
I enjoyed the process of the critiques overall, I had no idea what to expect from them. Probably always carry a feeling that I am not doing enough or worried about where I am at in my practice or in what exactly the expectation is for the programme. I feel that I am not doing my material or ideas my justice with my limitations of knowledge or confidence or my more introverted tendancies. The whole experience builds and improves on that I have no doubt. Trying hard to engage embrace discomfort of new things and get out of my box. Refinement and better planning will help for next seminar.
