Ballpoint Pen Animation titled Woe-man

Click on this quick-time inserted copy of the animation that was projected on to the rat installation at the Ceramics Southern Africa Regional Exhibition, held at Museum Africa recently. Don't worry about the fact that it is blurred - when opened, the animation runs smoothly and is totally focussed. The title of the piece is Woe-man as explained in the post below - follow the link provided. I have reloaded the animation of the carpet installation titled Infectious, now complete and much better quality. Follow the link provided. The two animations were looped for members visiting the exhibition to enjoy both of them. The exhibition comes down this Sunday and hopefully within the next two to three weeks videos of the two pieces will be made and available for viewing on this blog.

New projected animation conceived in ballpoint pen drawings in the form of an Artist Book.

Big Shots, Ballpoint pen drawing.

Contemplating the production of an artist book.
For a while now I have been contemplating creating an artist book. The idea is to capitalize on my unique approach to ballpoint pen drawings. My critics have always been complimentary of my drawings. Some mentioned that the ceramic sculptures are too methodical in their construction and therefore 'bled of all passion' (Cruise, 1996). 

Inner sleeve and title page design

Encouragement.
In December I visited my friend Hylton Nel, the renowned South African Ceramist. He stated that I should consider focussing on producing Artist Books. He suggested that I relaunch my career as an artist, focussing on this exciting and creative output option. I am however in the process of creating a new video for projection onto the rat installation. The projection is based on one of the bully series of ballpoint pen drawings, titled Big Shots (featured above). Follow the link provided to gain insight into related works and reference material; blog post titled BIG SHOTS RAW WAR WOE MAN - A failure of masculinity. The work is to be featured at the Ceramics Southern Africa regional exhibition to be opened next weekend - the title of the final work will be Woe man.  The idea of animating some of my drawings is equally exciting - the response to the projection had been very positive. 

Brainstorming ideas and text.

Artists Books
I have read extensively on the subject of artist's books during our winter recess - in between watching  the recent soccer/football world cup matches. I will shed more light on the subject of Artist's Books in a future blog entry - for an introduction into understanding the complexity of the product look no further than the written work by Johanna Drucker.

Big-shot creating a storm.

Big-shot firing

Whilst shopping recently I came across and purchased two small bound sketch books, produced by Daler-Rowney (A5-150 grams acid free cartridge paper) that served as another stimulus to pursue the idea. The final creative inspiration came in response to an exhibition of artists books in the FADA gallery three weeks ago. David Patton the previous head of Department for Visual Arts (FADA) has written a number of papers and a catalogue on the subject and curated a comprehensive exhibition on this complex creative output (a few years ago). 

The gang

For the purpose of this blog post, I thought it necessary to showcase the development of the idea; the creative endeavour would have a dual purpose;  the creative concept and directive for the animation (visual reference for the motion graphic artists) and an initial prototype exploring my own creative parameters for  the idea/concept of an artist book. 

Firing away mindlessly

The standoff

The images posted here do not include text, I am in the process of incorporating the text and reviewing the layout and construction of the final product - An Artist Book also to be titled  Woe-man. The concept behind the work will be explicated once the animation is posted together with photographs of the projected installation.

Crime in SA is sublimated civil war

Three different creative outputs; a projected installation, artist book and video.
The fact that I will have three different creative outputs exploring the same creative theme is interesting from a R&D perspective, seen in the context of specifically practice-led research. 

Suffering abuse

By the end of the project I hope to have the rat installation with the projection of the animated drawing sequence. A video of the projected installation will be filmed and edited and available in an edition of five - ten. I also hope to complete the artist book, complete with text; also available in a limited edition. 

The spirit of a wounded nation flows away with its blood

Polluted

The specific product outcomes will appeal to hopefully a different set of viewer and a review of the final products would assist me in my creative output - working towards a one person exhibition and a new direction for me as an artist, ceramic artist and or ceramic sculptor. 

Disillusionment and despair

Rat Installation with Quick-time copy of animation.

Click on this quick-time inserted copy of the animation that was projected on to the rat installation - to view the carpet sequence documented in the two previous blog posts. Don't worry about the strange colour (consider it mould) and the few seconds it takes before the video starts up, the animation does run smoothly and the colours are sound once it runs. The images had to be rescanned to improve the projection quality: the images scanned from books were not that detailed and or defined enough to see the images clearly. The problem, in laymen's  terms, has nothing to do with the quality of the scanned resolution but rather the setting of the scanner; to ensure it reads the image detail and not the structure of the printed image (made up of dots)

The quick-time video provides insight into the carpet sequence and the animated projected images, whilst the projection on the rats installation is being filmed and edited over the next few weeks. I trust you find it interesting and informative.

Rat Installation with still-images of the projected animation.

Rat installation with animated projection as explained below
Ceramic Alumni UJ Exhibition; the end of an era (1966-2010) 

Islamic Prayer rug,
Anatolia 15 -16 century

Here are the first set of images showcasing the rat installation, complete with still-images of the projection, as exhibited at the FADA Gallery as part of the Ceramic Alumni UJ Exhibition - the end of an era (1966-2010). The exhibition was opened last week; follow the link to the Ceramic Alumni UJ Blog - images of the exhibition opening, the work of staff, students and alumni will be posted soon. To gain insight into the conceptual development of the installation, follow the relevant labels provided below (rat installation). A video will be filmed (next week) of the projected installation; to be edited for publication on this blog and relevant media in the near future.

Viewers experiencing the projected rat installation in the gallery

Carpets and textiles; their relevance and significance.
This particular post sheds light on the chosen textiles, their meaning and significance as well as still images of the display in the gallery. For the purpose of the projection, six carpets and or textiles were chosen, based on their cultural and or religious prevalence and or significance in society today.  The first carpet shown above and in projection (the first image) is that of an Islamic prayer rug; representing the impact of Islamic thought on contemporary society's conflicting views on issues of morality and values. 

Detail of textile Britannia; showcasing British colonies (far left is SA).

The second carpet / textile is from the Victoria era and represents the conservative views entrenched by a christian educational system (specific to South Africa and eventually the heresy of apartheid), inherited from being part of the British Empire; Britannia (British Imperial power and dominance). Religious conservatism and its manifestation in our entrenched prejudices towards 'the other', stems from our cultural and historical significant colonial past. The textile was designed by  William Morris.

Rat installation with animated projection referred to below.

The third textile is titled Mountain Splendour and was made by Carolyn Miller, Mc Kenny, in Texas (1996) - image on the left and projected above. The traditional design and title evokes an allegory from that staple of the nineteenth century home library, Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.The journey refers to the "City of Destruction" ("this world"), to the "Celestial City" ("that which is to come" heaven) - the narrow spiritual road and the highway leading to hell.

Projected rat installation seen from above in the gallery.

Projected images referred to below

The fourth textile represents Catholicism and is represented by an Renaissance commissioned textile titled The Battle The Romaunt of the Rose - details of the iconography is to be incorporated soon.

Cherry Basket animated projection details provided below.

The fifth textile is titled Cherry Basket Fundraiser, made by members of the Sunday School, First Methodist Episcopal Church, Topeka, Kansas, 1883. Woman have long made quilts to raise money for charitable causes such as Indian missions or church building projects. Red and white were favourite collours for fundraising. The beautiful hand-quilted feathers are embellished with dozens of names. each person had to make a donation to have his name included. (Patterns of Progress; Quilts in the machine age; page 102).

Vigknantaka projected image described below.

The sixth textile is taken from a silk tapestry and depicts a Vigknantaka Thangka - tapestry below and projected animation above.

This icon is dominated by the fierce and powerful figure of Vighnantaka, a protective Tantric Buddhist deity who destroys obstacles standing in the way of spiritual enlightenment. He is dark blue in colour, holds a noose in his left hand with his forefinger raised in a menacing gesture, and brandishing a sword in his right hand.Beneath his left foot is the prostrate elephant god, Ganesha, and under his right foot the prone figure of Shiva. 

Rat Installation at the Ceramic Alumni UJ Exhibition.

Rat Installation ± 90 rats shaped to form a carpet

Converged in a warlike standoff

I have completed the first of my rat installations. The first installation will consist of ± 90 rats grouped together to form a carpet. Their weapon-like tails forming the carpet tassels at each end, whilst their bodies are either in a submissive prayer like stance and or animated to converge in the middle in warlike fashion (stand-off). 

Afghan war carpets.

The work however will form the backdrop for an animated projection; the chosen images reinforcing the carpet theme. However the battle depicted here (the metaphor), refers to culture wars, based on conflicting cultural values - those values considered traditional and or conservative and those considered progressive and or liberal. At the heart of the battle is our conflicting views on the following issues; abortion, bioethics, drugs, euthanasia, homosexuality, pornography, sex education and sexuality. I have chosen a variety of historically significant textiles, representing various cultural and or religious groupings, to be projected in a personally directed animated sequence, from a projector attached to the ceiling, directly above the rat installation. Tests reveal that the projection should incapsulate the bodies of the rats and reinforce the overriding theme of the ceramic sculptural statement. 

Afghani War Carpets
as cited at English Russia

The following blog entry will document and reveal the significance of each of the chosen carpets.  A video is to be made of the installation; to be featured on this blog and other relevant media. The work will form part of the historic Ceramic Alumni UJ Exhibition, opening this Wednesday 11 August at the FADA Gallery.This exhibition is to celebrate the end of an era in ceramic education at the University of Johannesburg (1966 -2010). Invitation below.
New second ceramic blog titled, Ceramic Alumni UJ.
I have started a second blog with the view to begin to publish it's valuable and significant role in the art, design and craft community. Follow the link above; click on the title of the post, or the link provided directly above; promoting the exhibition.

Ceramic Installation of Rats.

Studio Shot of the making of the first of three installations. Slip cast and assembled. 14 moulds are being slip cast to create the animated look - six moulds are cast simultaneously to create the carpet effect (submissive rats).

Ceramic installations.
I am in the process of making three installations, the process of which will feature on this blog until they are completed. The one will be titled, I never promised you a rose-garden, the other, A spanner in the works and the third requires further thought. The three concepts for the composite ceramic statements were resolved towards the end of last year. At the moment I am casting and assembling the first two installations, to get a feel for the layout and how the animated rats will be positioned individually, in line with the predetermined shape and form of the ceramic statements. One often has an idea of the layout, but on construction, the actual size and shape requires creative intervention and more importantly reflection; to refine the creative potential of the idea. 


For the conceptual development of the installations ( reference material, initial concepts and and preparatory drawings)  follow the link - label option at the bottom titled Installations Rats.

The work photographed above and below is titled, I never promised you a rose-garden, and takes the shape and form of a carpet. The rats are positioned aligned from both sides, their tails forming the carpet-tassels in weapon like fashion. The majority of rats are in a submissive position whilst their counterparts on both sides raise their animated heads, including their tails, in a confrontational manner.  A stand-off occurs in the centre where the two sides collide, reminiscent of parquet-flooring lifting as they expand caused by flooding. 

There is still allot of work to be done. The animated rats are cast, the body separate from the head.  Joining the head in different parts to the body creates the desired look of stubbornness, aggression and confrontation. There are seven different moulds for the tails, some designed to accommodate the piercing. The raised head and tails are the most aggressive stance. The idea is to cast the carpet with most of the rats being in a submissive position, interspersed in amongst them, will be the aggressors, starting their way from the second row to the back (on both sides) towards the middle, the standoff (pictured above and below). 

The exact formation needs to be fine-tuned - at this stage of developments, a more gradual confrontation is preferred. But that might change as the final animated rats are being cast and assembled and placed in the gaps, visible in the arial view of the installation (first image).  I envisage more rats to be cast with their heads slightly raised, as if they are in the process of joining their counterparts in the standoff' towards the middle of the carpet. The transition from the both ends of the carpet to the middle will therefore be more gradual and visually enticing. 

Seduced and abandoned; Ceramic Competitions!

Spanner in the works, Page one of three. Entry forms for Mixed Media - Ceramics plus, The Nassauische Sparkasse 2010 Talent Award for Ceramics.

Seduced

Entering Ceramic Competitions is every aspiring ceramist’s dream to gain regional, national and international recognition. The idea is to seek an acclaimed status (celebrated, applauded and much appraised) amongst the elite of one’s ceramic peers. Being accepted and winning an award, boosts one’s creative endeavours and looks great on the CV. However being rejected, especially when you were very confident with your entry, can be devastating!

Spanner in the works, Page two of three. Entry forms for Mixed Media - Ceramics plus, The Nassauische Sparkasse 2010 Talent Award for Ceramics.

Case in point

This post entry is in direct response to my work being rejected for the Mixed media – Ceramic Plus, The Nassausiche Sparkasse 2010 Talent Award for Ceramics. Enclosed are the drawings, images and supporting text submitted for the Ceramic Competition (as requested in the entry forms) –an installation of 16 tattooed rats with actual piercings titled, Spanner in the Works. To my knowledge this is the first time, in an International Ceramic Competition, that your ideas, drawings, models and prototypes had to be submitted for adjudication and not photographic documentation of the finished final piece. I assume most ceramists would have submitted images of their final pieces and not drawings etc as stated on the entry forms.

Emotional Distress

I was very confident with my drawing skills and design layout knowledge, including my highly refined conceptual ability, that I would be one of the 150 out of 350 entries to this prestigious awards exhibition. Especially as the 2010 competition focuses on Art or expressive works rather than studio ceramics and or Ceramic Craft. The inclusion of piercing linked to tattoos, associated with the historically significant event, Operational Spanner UK, seemed the obvious creative direction for me to pursue, and perfectly meets the competition's mixed media criteria. On rejection a carefully constructed letter was compiled and sent to the abandoned and rejected individuals, with these comforting and encouraging words; to consider future participation … “but please: as you surely know, - in another context, with another group of jury members or another theme the decision could have been easily another one involving your wonderful project, too.”

Spanner in the works, Page three of three. Entry forms for Mixed Media - Ceramics plus, The Nassauische Sparkasse 2010 Talent Award for Ceramics.

Abandonment

Most competitions have a policy that the judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into / or entertained at the rejection of the work. No feedback is ever provided. This leaves one with the feeling of self-doubt and rejection, a Dostoyevsky type angst (Crime and Punishment syndrome) associated with a lack of creativity and innovation underpinning one’s work.

Judging

In my capacity as a judge, I have myself rejected work for regional and national competitions, and therefore should be well prepared for the worst outcome. However there are those times when one is maybe over confident and forget that there are so many factors that contribute to work being accepted and certain work to be rejected. To try and begin to analyse the reasons for the work’s rejection, is a futile exercise, and in itself destructive. There are always more questions than answers. Doubt is not all bad and if channelled correctly could bring out the best in one’s creativity.

Restitution?

One should take refuge in one’s self belief, and pursue one’s creative passion with ever increasing determination. One needs to get over it, not to take it so personally, and to get on with it. So there you have it. Respect for the judges decision is always good governance, obstinate behaviour could have serious consequences, that draws far too much attention to oneself for the wrong reasons, which most certainly will not aid one’s future career development or successful entry in future competitions.

Ballpoint Pen Drawings / Pierced Rats

Ballpoint Pen Drawing, Rat with body, ear and tail piercings. Ballpoint Pen drawing (Preparatory Drawing).

Ballpoint Pen drawing. Rat with ear and tail piercings (reference to the Legacy of Doug Malloy - pseudonym used by Richard Simonton).

Ball point Drawings - entry for The Nassauische Sparkasse 2010 Talent Award for Ceramics

The following drawings (above and below) are in support of my application for the Ceramic Competition Mixed Media – Ceramics Plus. The Nassauische Sparkasse 2010 Talent Award for Ceramics calls for works which combine the media of clay with either similar or seemingly incompatible materials. Any technique of combining mixed media is possible. Creative Play should bring new artistic techniques to enable artists to go beyond the narrow boundaries combining materials. MIXED MEDIA is free interpretation using “material” without regard for material restrictions to create an interesting artistic object. The 2010 the international competition 6^th Nassauische Sparkasse 2010 Talent Award for Ceramics, will once again focus on “art”. Ideas photographs, videos or sketches (max 2MB) giving a comprehensible impression of the planned piece in mixed media techniques should be submitted.

Tattooed Portraits, by Kip Fulbeck. Referenced from his book Permanence. Chronical Books San Francisco.

Mixed Media and Focus for the competition entry.

I wish to focus my attention on Piercing associated with my present interest in body modifications, scarification’s and tattoos (written on the body). The work will be a continuation of the Tattooed Rats series; however additions of piercing will bring the focus on contemporary society’s fascination with body adornment, especially tattoos and piercing in a changing global society. The practice has its roots in indigenous knowledge; traditional culture rituals and was specifically associated with initiation ritual practices and rites of passage to manhood. It was reintroduced to contemporary society by gaymen….. used piercing as a profound means for expressing their alternative sexuality.

Tattooed Portraits, by Kip Fulbeck. Referenced from his book Permanence. Chronical Books San Francisco.

Piercing evokes all sorts of emotions within us and society still frowns upon it and deplores the practice thereof. Personal expressions of this kind is a cultural phenomena associated with the individual’s need to express him or herself in a cultural diverse and hybrid society (globalisation) – the coming together of cultures and groupings (collisions) and their social behaviour patterns and beliefs – the creolization of cultures.

Ballpoint Pen drawing, Rat with neck and tail piercings. Ballpoint Pen drawing.

Memorable event - historical Reference.

In my quest to find a memorable / historically significant event and or incident associated with the act of piercing, I came across the controversial court case referred to as “Operation Spanner”. The outcome of which sent shock waves through the gay community (especially the leather and SM community). Such an an event challenges our perceptions of freedom - one wonders as to how our very own constitutional court would have handled the case. South Africa is a young democracy with the most liberal constitution in the world. Our courts, especially the Constitutional court have had to deal with many controversial cases (for more information refer to reference material of the Title of the work below - especially the Zulu Bull Killing ritual). Such court cases contribute to an evolving democratic society, dealing with contemporary rituals and sexual practices that facilitates the deconstruction of traditional values and morals (years of Christian Education). It helps shape a contemporary and tolerant society. It provides mechanisms to come to terms with our own prejudices from a discriminatory point of view (due to lack of understanding and religious conservatism and fundamentalism).

Rat with tail piercing. Ballpoint Pen drawing.

Final Product. Ceramic Installation of 16 tattooed and pierced rats.

Tile; Spanner in the works.

The ceramic installation of 16 tattooed and pierced rats will commemorate the event Operation Spanner; in solidarity with the individuals convicted of assault (served prison sentences), and in support of various forums set up to highlight their plight and many practitioners finding themselves in the same predicament. This event is controversial and highlights the courts inability to deal with complex contemporary cultural, ritual and sexual practices. The last two decades have highlighted many such issues – the recent gay marriage in Malawi was considered an act of defiance against the Governments stance on homosexuality. Our very own Zulu bull-killing ritual could not be resolved. Cultural wars can’t be won in courts (Caption of the news paper article covering the event). The Pietermaritzburg High court had to defer judgement because of a lack of cultural debate and clarity on such a complex cultural practice (tradition versus animal abuse). The court was not in a position to make an informed decision - to move forward and pass judgement ( Bull Killing can however go ahead). Operation spanner is a similar case that falls clearly within the scope of my expressive endeavours – from a moral, religious and sexuality point of view.

Initial Sketches; Preparatory Drawings, Ideas for contemporary piercings as suitable mixed media - associated with ancestral rituals of tattoos and piercings as part of initiation ceremonies.

Books and Websites.

Books on piercing

Rush, J. Spiritual Tattoos - A Cultural History of Tattooing, Piercing, Scarification, Branding and Implants. Frog Ltd Berkeley California 2005.

Angel, E. The Piercing Bible. Crossing Press, Berkeley Toronto. 2009.

Piercing websites.

The infinite Body Website.

Elayne Angel's website (Author of the Piercing Bible).

BMEzine.com - a Body Modification Resource.