Colour Mapping.

 As part of the cartography workshop we were split into groups to map the studio in different ways. My group were given the task of mapping all the colours in the studio with limited materials this proved taxing as there were so many we needed to document. Using some highlighters we each got a colour and started to note down what we saw for each colour. Once we had all collected our separate data we had to figure out how to present them as a final product. Seen as we were exploring colour I thought creating a colour wheel fitted the task we were given.

 

My Studio Space Cartography.

 

This was a 10 minute exercise on trying to broaden our minds and look at either the journey so far through university or what the studio was like or how we felt we were achieving so far. I chose to dedicate mine to the idea of me beginning a new journey at university and how at the start we all felt a little lost and that through teamwork and collaboration we can achieve together. At first I found it challenging to try and think how to create a mapping out of how I was feeling on this new path in my life. I'm not sure I will use mapping in this way again but the workshop did teach me to think about the journey we take to reach our final outcome.

Cartography?!

 

 

Cartography? Basically

the science or practice of drawing maps. A map doesn't have to be just your average how do we get from A to B it can be so much more and this is what the cartography workshop taught me. We use them all the time throughout of daily life without even realising it like for instance capturing a moment through a photograph, documenting/ recording/ organising all of these trying to recreate or invent a memory of something. Whether that be a journey, a room, or the relation between yourself and the world around you. For this workshop we were shown a range of art work that uses mapping from the realistic to the abstract. The examples of more conventional looking maps in art would be Richard Long's 'Concentric Days' 1996...

Although I love the detail Long has achieved in this and the time it must have taken to plot all the points is admirable, however I found the idea of the more abstract and unconventional cartography more intriguing. Examples included Qin Ga 'Site 22: Mao Zedong Temple' 2005...

This was as much a performance piece of work as a drawing piece that will stay with Qin forever. Qin took part in China's Long March Project (in 2002) this was known as a 'Walking Visual Display' which took place along the route of the 1934-1936 historic 6000 mile Long March. He decided to track the group's route on his back via a tattooed map. Three years later, he retraced the path of the trek, accompanied with a camera crew and a tattoo artist who could continually update Qin's 'map'. I loved this as the piece couldn't be labelled as one type of art or another and it was a sentimental piece that Qin can keep for all time. I have learnt that even the most tedious of journeys can be significant on our overall artistic journey and using cartography as part of my art practice could help me to become more familiar with my workspace and take note of inspiration in everyday life.

 

 

 



Sketchbook Workshop!

 

To create this shape I added an attachment to the huge drill we have in the workshop. The rough texturized edges add a uncontrolled, gestural effect to the perfect circle shape.

Sketchbook Workshop.

 

After using a different head on the angle grinder to create these more jagged and less controlled markings I used a tagging gun to attach parts of the pages together. I wanted to transform the flat into a 3D piece.

Sketchbook Workshop.

 

Again this is some more effects I got with both the industrial and hand held grinders. These fragile shapes and patterns are really intriguing and I would love to start experimenting sewing into them to give them more detail.



Sketchbook Workshop.



I loved looking at the cut outs against the light as the contrast between light and dark was really interesting.

 

 

The beautiful delicate patterns in the sketchbook where created using a handheld sander and grinder. I think this mark making technique was the most striking as the pages gained a more natural and organic style.