Last Saturday I had a day blackening the papers with black pigment. It was extremely messy work creating black dust everywhere. I was not popular! The next day we both suggested it might be a good idea if I invest in a mobile Gazebo to do my blackening process where I can hose down the space and decontaminate the area before coming in!
Essential facial wear for dusty environments
Tools for the job
Detail of back side of pierced paper
Detail of front side of pierced paper
I value my relationship very much and have realised for sure, I must find alternative solutions to this problematic process. I also don't really know how safe it is, following all the health and safety protocol that is recommended for dusty environments.
In 2009, my final year of studying at college, I abandoned my big mass of materials and began creating with just paper and a pen. It was a revelation and freedom from the expectations and the practical requirements and limitations of medium specificity. I think I need a new revelation.
* To all those artists out there, can you recommend an alternative to pigment - a material, glaze, or medium that gives a powdery texture and finish without the dust? I have been using Sennelier Pure Dry Pigment in Ivory Black.
At the moment this week I have been photographing my blackened artwork. As a one - man band, and like many artists, we have to be skilled at so many things, not only making skills, but also skills in sales and marketing, accounts, writing, IT, and photography to name a few... Photography isn't my worst skill but something I can find difficult to do. Because my artworks are invariably completely black or white, they are very difficult to photograph, even the professionals have told me that. I need good photographs for my portfolio and when applying for exhibitions and work. So I have been in and out the house, in different rooms and spaces, trying to find the best light in very variable weather conditions! It has not been easy.
* To all those photographers out there, can you offer me advice on how to take photographs of all black and all white artworks please?
+ I use a Canon 450D camera and we do have a separate light meter that I can use. Whilst I can get a reading from this tool, what does the number it shows mean please? For example, it tells me the light is 10, urhh, 10 what? And how can I use this information successfully ha ha!?
This leads me on nicely to discuss technology. One of my key tasks this year is to improve my IT and social media skills and I am pleased with my progress so far. There is still more to do and I will keep at it. I am enjoying this work.
IT and the internet are key to my access to the world at large as I live in a remote area. It is all the way of the world in our increasingly global environment. I remember a few years back a reporter on the television living for a week without going out the house as an experiment, and using the internet for all their habitual functions e.g. communication, internet shopping, services etc. How much technology do I use and how much more technology could I use? How much technology do I want to use? What is the real definition of technology? There has been a lovely article on Twitter pop up saying "Let's be honest about what technology is. From welding to icing cakes, it's time to give men and women credit". You can have a read here:
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/oct/07/computers-technology-sewing-sexist-stitch-up
I think at the moment, I'm thinking more about computer technology, but one part of the text that stood out for me was about the way cloth is fitted together for our clothing. This makes me think of the shapes I am creating with my paper and the white shirt I unpicked a few months back (Blog 39, June 2013) and how shapes (and therefore 'things'?) can be pieced together.
I have been learning about 'Digital Public Spaces' and 'Smart Citizens', global networks online, although I feel it is a bit over my head! There is also the organisation called 'SyncTank' who provide support to cultural organisations in Scotland helping them to develop a more progressive relationship with technology and technologists. There are some great projects going on between art and technology. You can take a look here: www.welcometosync.com
Yesterday I discovered the Tate on-line study that took place in 2012 regarding the transformation of artist books to digital applications. The future of books huh? and artist books too?
www.tate.org.uk/about/projects/transforming-artist-books
There is a lot of digital technology out there to be had.
Living remotely, I need to find new and innovative ways to make and disseminate my work. Recently a fellow artist suggested showing my work in exhibitions online.
* Can anyone recommend reputable online exhibition platforms that I could have a look at please?
I end by reverting back to the old fashioned method of making. I still want to make using my hands. How can I improve on the very dirty application of black pigment onto paper, and what other processes could I use that move me on from piercing paper with a needle?