Work and Leisure at Manchester City Gallery

We attend the opening night of Mark Leckey's newest performance piece at the Manchester City Gallery. It was based around his ideas of mixing sound and sculpture, the sculpture he used was a steam press loaned by Ellenroad Engine House.  This was our first encounter with a performance piece and we felt very engaged as we observed the mix of sound and object. He also made sounds throughout the performance, purely of his own vocals, adding another personal touch. 

 Although we acquired no photos or videos, here is a link to see the artist and piece.

http://vimeo.com/37167902

Collaborative Work

We decided to experiment with projection, light and distortion using different materials. We made a conscious decision to not think of making a final outcome, just to use new techniques and any everyday material we had to hand. By working like this we did not limit our output and could progress on techniques and ideas we found most effective. We reflected on what these could represent and become if developed further. We enjoyed the fact that these pieces were open for interpretation and did not have a direct concept placed upon them. 

The Cornerhouse - Contour States

This work is by Samantha Donnelly who explores our culture today and how the human form is objectified, especially the female body. With attachments to the media and popular culture, her material selection is key. We found as viewers, we could interact with the work and with her use of mirrors in the second photograph, we became part of the piece, making it a personal experience. 

The Cornerhouse - Lost is Found

'Lost is Found' centered around the idea of finding something new and beautiful out of found objects which are mundane or redundant. 

The first five photos are of Lucy Ridges' work. We find it interesting that the image shows only part of the subject, giving an unfinished look. This however is contrasted by the frames which make you think that these are the ideal photos the artist was working towards. 

The sixth photos shows the work of Emily Speed. She made this piece whilst exploring the idea of the home being a containment, storing memories and remnants of the occupiers. We liked the set up of the piece, including the platform which looked like it was made from pieces of an old cupboard. The way this was set up , there seemed to be an element of balance bringing the fragility of the egg-shaped sculptures to our attention .

The seventh and eighth photos are of Jon Barraclough's endeavour into the traces of life through everyday mark making. The way he made these marks appealed to us as they came across as unplanned marks, which built up to resemble a familiar shape. 

The last two images show Jessa Fairbrother's projection and projector set-up. Her work bases around femininity through different times, using Victorian novels as inspiration. We enjoyed the set-up but thought that it had very little links with 'Lost is Found' and with the surrounding pieces.

The unknown

This in an extension of the previous video. It is a short moving image which in simple yet there is something interesting about the white circle which appears half way through. By uses zoom on the video camera I have created something which does not allow the viewer to hold on to anything which is familiar to them. 

Through the tunnel

Whilst focusing on this idea of unknown finishing points I realise that a photograph itself is a finishing point. I want to push my tunnel pieces one step further and create a moving image. This piece is just a snippet which is very simple and basic. However, it is effective in the sense that it is more immersive for the viewer than a photograph. 

Behind the curtain

Here I have been experimenting with ways of pushing this idea of the unknown within my photographs. I have used a magnifying glass to bend and enlarge areas of the subject. I have used a window as my subject as like tunnels they have ideas of the unknown and mystery linked to them. "What goes on behind closed curtains.."

These images were taken by chance when lithium balls were being prepared for lithography outside the studios. Thousands of ball bearings were being thrown around in a random motion. By photographing them the movement caused a blurring so it is not completely obvious what is being portrayed it is this which makes the images so fascinating to me. 

Tube model 2

Tube model 1

This paper model was created with the intention of forming almost an optical illusion. However the object itself became more of a focus, this would have been more successful to have made the piece on a larger scale with tubes emerging from an entire wall so the viewer could stand back and allow their vision to be taken over by hundreds of circles. Even so by photographing this model and projecting light through it i was again able to play around with scale and perspective. 

Tunnell

By taking a photograph through a cardboard tube and a pair of binoculars I was able to create these images which again centre around this idea of holes and voids, although they are simple it is the ambiguity which I find interesting.

Burnt paper

By burning through layers of paper I was able to create a black hole impression, there was something organic about the shape which interested me as well as the crisp edges which were different in shape each time. The holes became smaller after each layer and by photographing them I was able to play around with scale and depth.

Edited Photo Sets

Here i just experimented with layering the photos from the second set up so that the people walking through are left on the image like ghostly reminders of what has happened in that space. Although it is a simple idea, i really like the outcome. Also the tiles on the floor remain in exactly the same position, due to using a tripod, giving the images a constant.