Rosalind Barker

Shaun Dolan Peergroup workshop : Participatory Art

From Shaun’s website : bullyfree.org.uk

Bully free is a participatory arts project developed by artist Shaun Dolan in order to generate awareness surrounding the increasing concerns of bullying in our society. It is not attempting to resolve the issues of bullying but by encouraging discussion through practical arts involvement along with contributions to this site, it is hoped that it will acknowledge its seriousness, causing reflection, understanding and possible prevention.  http://bullyfree.org.uk

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/110255892[/vimeo]

How does it feel to be bullied?

We were first invited to work in small groups to draw an emotional position made to convey a person being bullied, during these quick sketches we also assumed the role and body language of the victim.

Shaun introduced us to the website and explained the small bullied sculptures and how these figures may act as a tool to increase the awareness surrounding the concerns of bullying in our society.

We were split into two groups

Half the group followed the video instructions of how to create a figure from one of the bullied positions that we sketched,with newspaper, tape and plaster bandage.

I was in the group observing and following Shaun demonstrating how to build the figures, that would turn our drawings into sculptures. We dutifully followed Shaun’s manipulations aided by a great atmosphere and chocolate!

Images of our figures during the process of construction.

My figure.

Participation

‘The group is now invited to contribute to this project through followed up participation. Once the sculptures are dry I would be grateful if they could be varnished and marked with the website address. The sculpture surface is now prepared for writing and/or drawing on, with any thoughts, feelings and experiences the participant may have about bullying. This is in order to express any inner emotions outwardly and can be written in any language or form of communication, others are also encouraged to contribute. Finally, the sculpture can now be abandoned in any place, location or country with a photograph and details of it at its final resting place sent to the website, this will form part of an online gallery along with any other posts or images wishing to be shared.’ Shaun Dolan

My figure, work in progress.

I decided to place my figure in Wimbledon UAL but unfortunately only the MA students had returned for the start of spring term and the place felt deserted. I will place and photograph it in assessment week.

UNIT 1  _____________________________________________________  UNIT 1

Ana ‘Connecting Devices’  Peer Workshop

For my next project I’m particularly interested in the relationship between identity, body and technology in a permanent shift between subject and object. My aim in this workshop is to investigate the body language in the process of drawing, how drawers, makers, are affected by technology devices and collective creation. Instead of using technology I will use the body as tool, a metaphor of strange objects that are more and more present in our lives.   I believe this is an opportunity for creators to have more awareness of their body and somehow acknowledge others as reality. And also to reflect upon technology and different ways of drawing. My ultimate aim is to propose an experience, an encounter, to create connections between creators.  Ana

                            I was curious to know how the different cultural mix of the artists would inform our individual attitudes to personal space. The collaborative large scale drawing  was hilarious, the mechanics of trying to draw while being tied to other people was both freeing (no control) and frustrating (no control)! The most difficult aspect was the initial exercise of trying to draw a portrait of them using their hand, with wrists tied together. Trying to override their instinctual mark making as an artist and relinquish your control as sitter dissolved any concerns about body contact. I found it impossible to make any large sweeping marks as there was no connection between my intension and the alien limb controlling the pen.

Gavin   ‘Response’ Peer Workshop

I responded to Gavin’s well thought out and researched brief by remembering my first impression on arriving at the University. I think it is the rarity  of smokers in present society that created a vibrant image in my memory, it seemed bohemian even anarchic to see crowds of people smoking.

Israel’s Peer Workshop  Learning the simple basics of animating characters and creating an illustration (regardless of technical ability).Through a series of exercises, this workshop will explore how to animate characters; animating a pose, not actually creating movement.

My combined drawings from the exercises’Stick it to ’em and Copycat Flesh on the bone  My stick man developed towards being a character, being a bit over ambitious in trying to draw him hand standing. Still lots of chocolate to cheer me up!

Characters should tell a story, whether it’s a Michelangelo’s or a stick figure. This workshop will provide students with some simple basics on how to do this. During the workshop, students will be encouraged to experiment and hopefully learn other simple techniques of their own.   Students will create a simple illustration including a character, props and background. The session will finish with a group discussion on the work produced during the workshop.   The WOW effect  Everyone’s work will be displayed and discussion encourage in order to examine each other’s works. 

Anna

Gareth                                               Gavin                Xian

The atmosphere created took me right back to junior school where I used to draw cartoons from the Flintstones. I tried to remember how I had drawn as a child and ended up with this but sadly lost all  Israel’s tuition in the translation of drawing as a nine year old.

Zoey       March 7th Facial Distortion MA Peer Workshop Proposal          ‘Distortion of the face’

My research focus on what possible of the distortion of human face by physical manipulating is. So this workshop will try to explore the methods of the distortion by using different kinds of materials.

Zoey’s instructions  : Exercise 1 Portraits Collection Draw your partners in your group. This can be in any style (representation and abstract).

1. The person being draw could be normal or have facial expression or even distorted their face by object,

eg: hands, rubbers, glasses, etc.

1. Each person should finish 2-4 pieces of drawing.

I brought cling film to distort my face and I was the first model, it was an odd sedation as my face tried to resume its usual gravity and my vision through two layers of film was poor         My first drawing was a pencil drawing of Gavin             My second drawing was of Jerry and I selected it to take into the final experiment , I felt my change in media to gel pens had given a better result. Zoey’s instructions:  2 Distortion Test

1. Test.     Choose the materials and the drawings you interested in to do the distortion tests.
2. Choose the way to show.     Filming, shooting, drawing, performance, etc.

Group members can help each to record the work if needed.

1. Display your work.     Place the final work on the wall or upload the films or photos into the computer or prepare for your performance.

For my final experiment I decided to copy Jerry’s portrait on to an inflated balloon using black and white gel pens. I then made a video with my i phone as I put a small laceration in the balloon and captured it’s deflation and the alterations in the shrinking portrait. I set up a hasty black backdrop and was able to control the deflation with one hand while filming with the other. Zoey loaded the video onto her computer and I hung the portrait and balloon on the wall with the rest of the groups work.

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/95600709[/vimeo]

Lorraine Peer Group workshop FEELING A RESPONSE

Examine one particular methodology/ approach to drawing practice , …this workshop aims to encourage a direct route of communication between both hands. Over several drawings of the same object tactile information should transfer and be made visible , recording marks that are made in response to haptic sensation. Subject : Please bring small object  A hand sized object which has a variety  of tactile qualities ( consider texture ,contrast, irregular surfaces) , scarf ( use as blindfold ). What is the methodology you need the group to follow?

Examine your object for 5 mins – write a detailed description of it.  Underside like tiny sandcastles of different heights placed in a random order. Abrasive.Front is fish shaped. Handle curves like a folk, with a hole for hanging. Practical Decorative Odd Long Matt Smooth Textured Rough Funny Hole Scratched Practical Curved Opposing ends Slender Waisted Dangerous Metal Question it’s purpose Different on back and front Made in Taiwan.

Blindfold yourself ,

Drawing 1:  (20mins)  feeling the object with one hand , draw with the other .

Right hand blindfold I felt very spatially challenged and constantly checked the edge of the paper I was surprised to find that I had  I drawn the object life-size.

Drawing 2 : (20mins) Change hands and repeat .      Left hand blindfold     I found that by drawing with my left hand my right dominant hand amplified it’s sensitivity during exploration of the object, all the texture was more focused and detailed in my drawing. I still drew life size and was again surprised by the stronger more confident left hand drawing

http://youtu.be/acwHhhRVYlQ

Group discussion

Drawing 3:  (20 mins) Remove the object and blindfold, make a drawing from memory, (concentrate on remembering observed qualities from your written list and incorporate what you feel are the most successful marks from your first drawings )

Drawing from memory. I felt more confident, it was easy to place the drawing on the paper, the mark making was stronger, I used my remembered listing of my objects characteristics to aid my visualisation of the hidden object.Being able to see what you were drawing led to more shadow, tone and detail being applied.

      Lorraines photographs of us all concentrating

Examine all drawings made by group Drawing 4   Repeat instructions for drawing 1 with blindfold  using  either hand

I found it difficult to concentrate,how could I add something new to the drawing of my object which had been so thoroughly investigated and described? My thoughts revolved around  creating a new challenge of  presenting my object in a new  way. My final drawings were all based on the side profile of my object.

            My  object a metal fish scaler