Exhibitions visited
MF7007
12.9.21 I haven't visited any exhibitions during this module, which feels shocking. I still don't feel comfortable using public transport, or being around people. I am conscious that not seeing art 'in the flesh' is detrimental to my practice, as it can be so inspiring. However, I'm also very aware that in its place I have relied heavily on the memory of the many, many exhibitions I have visited around the world over thee years. I am an exhibition addict normally and have been privileged to travel to many fabulous shows. These remain with me and have definitely influenced my final exhibition.
I still find online exhibitions soulless and depressing.
I have researched the work of other artists, using books and the internet. This is obviously not the same as seeing art in the flesh, but does definitely bring a depth of analysis that an exhibition visit doesn't always provide. For my undergraduate dissertation I researched in depth the works of Louise Bourgeois and Christian Boltanski, for example, and I'm conscious that, although that was 7 years ago, the research I did then is still strongly influencing my current work. Also, much of my more recent research for MF7001, Critical knitting: knitting as a research method has readily transferred to my recent explorations with new materials and processes.
I have been grateful to be able to be involved in several inspiring projects, exhibitions and residencies during this module though and I recognise that they have activated something in me that has led to my final ensemble.
I still find online exhibitions soulless and depressing.
I have researched the work of other artists, using books and the internet. This is obviously not the same as seeing art in the flesh, but does definitely bring a depth of analysis that an exhibition visit doesn't always provide. For my undergraduate dissertation I researched in depth the works of Louise Bourgeois and Christian Boltanski, for example, and I'm conscious that, although that was 7 years ago, the research I did then is still strongly influencing my current work. Also, much of my more recent research for MF7001, Critical knitting: knitting as a research method has readily transferred to my recent explorations with new materials and processes.
I have been grateful to be able to be involved in several inspiring projects, exhibitions and residencies during this module though and I recognise that they have activated something in me that has led to my final ensemble.
MF7004
4.1.21 I still haven't felt comfortable visiting exhibitions, so the only 2 I have seen during this module are listed below. I did, however, visit the Centre of Gravity exhibition 4 times over the month it was open. Somehow, that it was in a very large warehouse made me feel much safer than if it had been in a gallery.
I still really miss seeing art in real life. I'm not keen on online exhibitions, but I'm getting to a point where I realise I probably need to explore what's available as we might be in this art desert for many more months to come.
I am so grateful that before this year I have been able to visit so many exhibitions locally, in London and the rest of the UK, but also around the world as we've travelled. I always find out what's on near where we are staying and often plan an itinerary, or indeed a trip, to take in an exhibition. We were also lucky enough to visit the Venice Biennale for the first time, and before the floods, in October 2019. That was a feast of physical art of all shapes and forms. We also visited Amsterdam in February 2020 and saw the Louise Bourgeois exhibition and visited the Van Gogh exhibition too.
Instead of visiting exhibitions for this module I've been researching artists' work by listening to artists' talks, using the internet, books and You Tube interviews etc. I've also watched and analysed films and videos. None of it replaces or is the same as seeing the work 'in the flesh' but it often does give a different kind of access to it, and to the thinking of the artist. In a sense, maybe our reach is greater at the moment?
I've obviously also benefited from regular Tutorials and group meetings, some face to face, but mostly online, and have also been part of several regular, and extracurricular, virtual discussion groups - Dexter's seminars, weekly Informal crits, Gang of 3 or 4 and also informal conversations about art with Gareth and Si, the Sculpture and Metal technicians. These have all given a richness and depth to this rather strange experience of doing an MA during a pandemic. Many thanks to everyone involved.
But I still really miss being able to experience an exhibition first hand... for the approach, the presence, scale, surface, mode of installation, physicality. I find images in a book or on a screen much harder to read, and it's also much more difficult to capture nuances of colour, texture, mark making, material etc through these media.
It is hard to know what long term effects the restrictions of the pandemic will have on the art world. Will there be more emphasis on art that is favoured by being seen on a screen, like films or photography? And what about virtual reality? It makes me realise that seeing even something supposedly 2D, like a painting or print, in real life is not the same as seeing an image of it in a book or on a screen. The screen or page flattens it further still, the materials are nigh impossible to guess, colour can be distorted and scale is difficult to read. Although we are very used to seeing art work on social media, for example, on Instagram, all these factors still apply. And I find that with sculpture or installation it's much worse. There is no sense of presence, or immersion and we are relying so heavily of sight alone, what about the other senses?
And what about live or performance art? As I have discussed in detail elsewhere, a video of a live performance is not the same as being present for the actual performance. Social engagement and participatory art are also hard to facilitate when we are denied the opportunity to build relationships through the intimacy of face to face conversation, gatherings and touch. Zoom participatory art just isn't the same.
I know that I need to make the best of what is available to me at the moment and I should probably embrace the virtual exhibitions that are appearing online. Some of them might be really well done.... but I find that it makes me too aware of what I'm missing. It hurts.
I still really miss seeing art in real life. I'm not keen on online exhibitions, but I'm getting to a point where I realise I probably need to explore what's available as we might be in this art desert for many more months to come.
I am so grateful that before this year I have been able to visit so many exhibitions locally, in London and the rest of the UK, but also around the world as we've travelled. I always find out what's on near where we are staying and often plan an itinerary, or indeed a trip, to take in an exhibition. We were also lucky enough to visit the Venice Biennale for the first time, and before the floods, in October 2019. That was a feast of physical art of all shapes and forms. We also visited Amsterdam in February 2020 and saw the Louise Bourgeois exhibition and visited the Van Gogh exhibition too.
Instead of visiting exhibitions for this module I've been researching artists' work by listening to artists' talks, using the internet, books and You Tube interviews etc. I've also watched and analysed films and videos. None of it replaces or is the same as seeing the work 'in the flesh' but it often does give a different kind of access to it, and to the thinking of the artist. In a sense, maybe our reach is greater at the moment?
I've obviously also benefited from regular Tutorials and group meetings, some face to face, but mostly online, and have also been part of several regular, and extracurricular, virtual discussion groups - Dexter's seminars, weekly Informal crits, Gang of 3 or 4 and also informal conversations about art with Gareth and Si, the Sculpture and Metal technicians. These have all given a richness and depth to this rather strange experience of doing an MA during a pandemic. Many thanks to everyone involved.
But I still really miss being able to experience an exhibition first hand... for the approach, the presence, scale, surface, mode of installation, physicality. I find images in a book or on a screen much harder to read, and it's also much more difficult to capture nuances of colour, texture, mark making, material etc through these media.
It is hard to know what long term effects the restrictions of the pandemic will have on the art world. Will there be more emphasis on art that is favoured by being seen on a screen, like films or photography? And what about virtual reality? It makes me realise that seeing even something supposedly 2D, like a painting or print, in real life is not the same as seeing an image of it in a book or on a screen. The screen or page flattens it further still, the materials are nigh impossible to guess, colour can be distorted and scale is difficult to read. Although we are very used to seeing art work on social media, for example, on Instagram, all these factors still apply. And I find that with sculpture or installation it's much worse. There is no sense of presence, or immersion and we are relying so heavily of sight alone, what about the other senses?
And what about live or performance art? As I have discussed in detail elsewhere, a video of a live performance is not the same as being present for the actual performance. Social engagement and participatory art are also hard to facilitate when we are denied the opportunity to build relationships through the intimacy of face to face conversation, gatherings and touch. Zoom participatory art just isn't the same.
I know that I need to make the best of what is available to me at the moment and I should probably embrace the virtual exhibitions that are appearing online. Some of them might be really well done.... but I find that it makes me too aware of what I'm missing. It hurts.
MF7003
10.9.20 Very sadly, I have only visited one exhibition during this module (MF7003) and that was Incendiary, at Pound Arts, Corsham, where I have some work installed. I am still being extremely cautious about the virus, so haven't felt comfortable visiting other exhibitions. I really miss seeing live art!
MF7002 & MF7001