26.8.20 Tutorial with Robert
My preparatory notes:
Key words: Self - multiple selves - precariousness - balance - uncertainty - materiality
1. Metal sculptures
Like drawing with metal, very physical. Flow.
Gendered materials and tools, I find using power tools empowering. I’m of the generation of girls who weren’t allowed to learn how to use them.
Welding, again like drawing, gestural? I’m not very good at it (yet) so can I call it ‘sloppy welding’, alluding to Surette and Patterson’s Sloppy Craft? Also like visible mending…. Only just adequate to hold the metal together.
What would happen if I didn’t knit? I’ve been manipulating and ‘knitting together’ pieces of metal bar
2. Mould making
Intensely process led. So many new materials. Alchemy.
Concrete or Jesmonite? Authenticity vs time and success?
Why feet? Allusions to
Metal and concrete/ Jesmonite – hard, permanent, traditionally used in sculpture, associations with the built environment
Gendering of materials – Knitting regarded as ‘women’s work’, metal associated with masculinity
3 or 5? What happens if there are only 4? (Also considerations of aesthetics, how many times I can use my moulds to cast my feet plus time!)
4. Performance/ photography/video
5. Stitch
Key words: Self - multiple selves - precariousness - balance - uncertainty - materiality
1. Metal sculptures
Like drawing with metal, very physical. Flow.
Gendered materials and tools, I find using power tools empowering. I’m of the generation of girls who weren’t allowed to learn how to use them.
Welding, again like drawing, gestural? I’m not very good at it (yet) so can I call it ‘sloppy welding’, alluding to Surette and Patterson’s Sloppy Craft? Also like visible mending…. Only just adequate to hold the metal together.
What would happen if I didn’t knit? I’ve been manipulating and ‘knitting together’ pieces of metal bar
2. Mould making
Intensely process led. So many new materials. Alchemy.
Concrete or Jesmonite? Authenticity vs time and success?
Why feet? Allusions to
- ‘Feet of clay’ (a fundamental flaw or weakness in a person otherwise revered)
- Being human/grounded
- (Concrete boots (Cement shoes, concrete shoes, or Chicago overcoat is a method of murder or body disposal, usually associated with criminals such as the Mafia or gangs. It involves weighting down the victim, who may be dead or alive, with concrete and throwing them into water in the hope the body will never be found.)
- Part of me, a glimpse seen beneath the Body cocoons when I wear them
- Contrast
Metal and concrete/ Jesmonite – hard, permanent, traditionally used in sculpture, associations with the built environment
Gendering of materials – Knitting regarded as ‘women’s work’, metal associated with masculinity
- Multiples
3 or 5? What happens if there are only 4? (Also considerations of aesthetics, how many times I can use my moulds to cast my feet plus time!)
- Clothed or unclothed/ revealing and concealing/ inside and outside
4. Performance/ photography/video
5. Stitch
Recording of tutorial: