ART418 | Installation + Curation

Task: Swap work with someone and display their work. 

It’s no secret that we all see things a little differently from each other, and this is no different within the world of art. Taking someone else's work from table to installation is one way to explore options that may not have been considered previously. Installation can be used to gain inspiration - good or bad. Generating more ideas or concepts, ways to proceed, things to try or things to never do again!

I swapped work with Lucy Towner. Looking through her sketchbooks theme of self, mental health and deep understanding. I was drawn to the self portrait sketches, particularly interested in the contrast between the focus on different details e.g mark making, accuracy and planning. The portraits that were life-like were equally as captivating as the abstractions. Knowing that they both represent Lucy, these stages of planning become stages, layers of herself. Connections can be made here to her revealing layers of her self-understanding throughout this topic. 

When thinking about how to display this work, I kept returning to the thoughts of layers, revealing details and confrontation. Working with the foyer space within the studio, I decided that this confrontation would be more interesting if it was imposing, claiming a wider space. 

I extracted Lucy's drawings and aligned them onto a plain background, colour matched to the original sketchbook paper. The alignment was important as it shows the connection of self, the same person in varying layers of complexity. Then, I printed these simply onto A3 paper, a close to realistic size head was shown central to these prints. 

Here comes the difficult task, how to physically align them within the space? How can I create an accessible space between their gaze? So, logically I began untangling a ball of string with the intention to hang the images. Which is simple .. in theory. However, when walking this string into space it became clear that this wouldn't be possible without making the entrance an overly distracting ‘obstacle course’! 

Now stumped for the next step, I sat back down with Lucy to further discuss her topic. Looking for clarity and inspiration from broadening my understanding. This chat opened up to include Mike Lawson-Smith. 

Using chairs we imagined figures sitting there - were these two Lucys? We sat wooden boards down on the chairs and secured them with blue tack. Using Lucy's height as a mark, I secured the images down. The board becomes her body and sketches become herself in a simple form. Personal reflection has become physical, visible. The conversation has shifted to next steps and what ifs? What if we used an actual mirror? What other surfaces could be drawn on/ etched into etc..

Work installed in studio foyer

Reflection: 

This task allowed me to explore installation further with a curatorial mindset. Being removed from the initial creating process meant I had varying ideas than the artist. We communicated meaning and ideas to turn 2D drafts into something with enhanced meaning that could occupy and even command the space. Inviting the audience to sit and reflect. Closely relating back to the theme of self reflection and understanding.