09.06.2019

Today I took a visit into Manchester to see their Metropolitan University’s degree exhibition ‘Everything starts from something’. I was really looking forward to see how a popular city’s University competes with my own, and gain some ideas and inspiration for my degree show this time next year. 

MMU had buildings with multiple sections for BA degrees in their School of Art such as Sculpture, Fine Art, Media, Photography but also more specified subjects such as Interactive Art. I was pleasantly surprised with just how big the exhibition was and how much exhibiting space they have access to. It was a really interesting mixed media contemporary exhibition, with some pieces obviously more successful than others. I was expecting to see the work presented and become overwhelmed with a daunting feeling of how unprepared for this stage I am, but instead was excited and thought I stand on a similar level to these artists and works. It hasn’t lead to any inspired ideas as yet, but it has reassured me that I can produce a final show that is as exciting and as ambitious as I hoped. 

A few works that stood out for me would be this make up wipe cape/blanket. The concept jumping right out at you for makeup being a safety blanket for so many girls. Something we tend to hide behind and cover up all our insecurities with. 

I also loved the political taxidermy mouse group with what appeared to be suicide bomb vests on. The artist had made mouse doors into the wall with taxidermy mice with vests plotted throughout, along with a small projection playing inside complete with sound. As the mice were life size and the exhibit was relative to the mice, you had to get on your hands and knees to be able to hear or see the projection. 

I also found amongst the photography section, a display focusing on the effects of and companies/products that use the ingredient of palm oil. This was a really well thought out piece as the wallpaper used was a selection of products that use the substance, and in a glass museum-like display cabinet held the products. On one side you looked through the cabinet face on at the products and labels, and as you walked round you could see the list of ingredients on the back. A really effective and powerful exhibit, along with a handout that has information about palm oil, the effect it has on our environment and the products and substance names so that you can check items in the future. Having an informative hand out that the audience can take with them and learn from is similar to what I tried to do with ‘Pollushie, Is It Worth It?’, so it was great to see others doing the same on topics that are in need of conversation. 

After seeing the whole of the exhibition, I was impressed with most of the content, but the sloppy finishing touches of the exhibition throughout distracted immensely from the work. At my University, the lecturers and tutors are very picky about minute touches like small marks on walls or making sure supporting elements are painted the right colour, whether that be to make them unnoticeable or to become part of the work, touch ups like that. Well, walking around that exhibition the tutors and students obviously don’t take as much care as we do. It felt messy and sloppy and distracted the viewer and audience from the work displayed to wires hanging out or wood and floor not painted at all or properly. 

Now I have seen first hand what a difference care to details makes, I will double check my future work and installations with a fine tooth comb. 

29.05.2019

Today was workshop day with kids from the University’s Nursery and the Students Union to raise awareness about plastic pollution and get crafty with some bottle tops. Although I was really excited, I was nervous as I haven’t been involved with workshops before, but also as no one had even communicated a time or place where I needed to be. 

Upon arriving to the Students Union office’s I had found out that the staff member I had been liasing with and organising this whole project/day with, wasn’t going to be in and instead someone else was filling in. This was an issue as there was meant to be learning activities and an introduction to be completed before I took over and completed the craft side of the day. I had prepped a sheet with some kid friendly facts and questions to ask them, but as the participating kids arrived in two separate groups (4 kids of 6, 7, 10 and 11 years old, and Nursery children from 1-6 years old) it was clear the facts I had produced were not age appropriate. This was upsetting for me as I tried to prepare for the workshop but was given little to no information, meaning on the day I was unable to make the most of the time we had. 

Another issue that arose was that no materials had been bought for the sessions and I was informed that an A4 sheet of foam had been purchased for each child as well as lots of pva glue. When I had asked for these materials I was told that they hadn’t been bought already and we had to wait until the art shop reopened. 

This was quite unfair to me as I had to make the most out of a difficult situation, with no previous experience to draw on. As it was advertised using my name as the artist working with the students union (staying anonoymous) it looked as If I was the unprepared one. 

But, with all the things that went wrong, the kids didn’t seem to mind or notice and we did have a really fun afternoon. This is a massive learning curve as now I know the importance of communication. Multiple emails I had sent to a few members at the Students Union were left un-replied to, if we were able to have a quick meeting prior, it would have meant a smoother and more successful workshop. It has also taught me what details need to be considered to pull off a successful workshop, and the prep needed. I am gutted that I couldn’t offer more than I could on the day but will make sure that for future workshops and public interactions, I will be over prepared. 

During the day I also received a visit from a fellow student asking whether I would be able to come to a local community school and create a one hour workshop with them, teaching them about plastic pollution, and after create something out of plastic bottle tops together. This project is continuing to open doors to community and public art sessions, and I am excited to continue teaching kids to consider the effects were having on our planet, animals and oceans.

20.05.2019

After finding out last week that the image I had taken and edited/resized for my piece Plastic, The Slow Tsunami, isn’t of good enough quality to be printed on weatherproofed board at 2metres in size, I had to re-take the photos. I had already moved the mural over to the Students Union office, (as they are now going to have the mural in the downstairs hallway by the entrance of the building) so I gathered a couple friends who helped me take it across to the photography studios where we took a different image with a higher resolution.

I then had to resize the image so it was 2metres square, and inserted a white rectangle on photoshop with a short statement giving some context to the piece. We then ran into some further issues, but once I spoke to the printers directly communication was easier and the image was finally sent off in preparation for print. Unfortunately; due to delays and mishaps, we were unable to meet the second deadline of the degree exhibition. This was disappointing but after all the issues I have faced throughout the project, I am just relieved it has reached the final stage.