I feel like the project has gone well overall considering the final outcomes. However the start of the journey was difficult. As I was unsure about which way to go. Although I started with sublimation print via the paintings and photography from Tokyo. The paintings were inspired by listening to music.
Also exploring words in relation to being stuck in limbo. I then began to think about what this would sound about in recording. Recording g the words as poems related to limbo.
I utilised percussion and vocal harmonies and delay treatments with reverb to give a sense of space of openness using Logic Pro software. I sampled previous fragments of other works and reacted to particular vocals and taking them, writing around that, creating a spacious loop. By this I mean a kind of soundscape that delivers a feeling of being stuck.
This feeling of being stuck creates irritation and paradoxical comfort. Furthering on from that I began to look at Sketchbook Pro and app to create animation and take words relating to limbo, drawing images about being stuck then putting these in motion. I also re-visited my video archive and pulled out a video of myself in bed, looking stuck and placed this with animation and layering with words. I then took a recording from logic and added this to visuals. This worked for repetition but felt as if potentially it was over performed.
At the same time I was working on another piece which I preferred. I then thought about talking. As talking and being still in moments and somewhat natural seems to work for me. I think this is better than overperforming as it misses the point I wish to share. Where this idea of coming to a final piece with a degree of acceptance. There is something about external/internal pressure about bringing something to the forefront.
Moving forward the main focal points were four pieces of sewn and printed material. Also using dye and stitch. These were challenging focal point, as although I delve in naively, I did not realise you can put imagery that can cancel depth. To deliver a full image of depth and something more tactile I hade to alter its physical presence to something more sculptural. This was a challenge. This taught me that sometimes the initial quick idea is not as easy as it seems.
I formed my fabric elements into several wall-hung pieces. I am happy with them. I shaped these further to create more mass. They are abstract forms but carry connotations of time, layers and tribal culture. They feel like maps and suggest travel. They create a sense of question and curiosity rather than have a clear literal message. I fully embrace this sense of suggestion rather than overt explanation.
The decision to make a book was about being still and reflective, with a sense of meditation. This required more patience than available time. I am pleased with dyeing the paper and the material aspects.
I tried my projection alongside the fabric sculptures but felt they interrupted the viewing experience. The sound was fast and repetitive and the video jumpy. We discussed this and agreed to try out different positions but ultimately it confused and cluttered things. I later watched it without sound and I thought would work as a stand-alone but not in conjunction with the rest. I then decided to place the recording of me talking about the experience and being stuck on my video.
