Assignment 2 - The Archive with Tutor Feedback
The Archive
We are asked to produce a series of related images that use a readily available online archive (or archives) as their starting point or subject.
Make a small book for this project, using proprietary software, to be viewable online. In your book, you may use a selection of images from primary sources (your own images) and/or secondary sources (images found online and/or scanned from other sources). Think about a theme for your book and use the references provided throughout Part Two as inspiration. Your book should contain a minimum of 12 double pages and can contain text if you wish, or simply a collection of images. Provide a link to where your tutor can view your book and also provide a few double-page spreads as still images as part of your learning log.
Introduction
Having recently read Fred Ritchin's book "After Photography" my eyes were opened much more to the possibilities of deceit and staged images made more possible with digital imagery. Of course these day's people are much more aware of the potential of digital fakerybut it doesn't prevent them being misled or even outright "lied" to. Presentation of the image can also influence someone for or against the subject or subjects in the image.
This type of deception can be subtle or unsubtle or perhaps downright obvious but presented simply to make a point. Jeff Wall and his "Sudden Gust of Wind" draws humor and empathy, Peter Kennard with his "Cruise Missile" drawing attention to the deployment of US Cruise missiles in East Anglia, Peter Kennard and Cat Phillips creating a satirical but political image of Tony Blair taking a selfie in front of a blazing Iraq oilfield.
This has inspired to take this a little further using political figures and situations myself to make a political point, to example a topical or historical situation.
In my submission for Exercise 1.3 as part of this course I produced a small set of unsubtle and slightly humorous set of individual images. I would like to further expand upon this initial seed of thought
Creating a minimum of 12 double pages suggests a minimum of 24 images. I think to make this work each double spread should have a connection or joining of sorts so that the book has a minimum of 12 paired images. Each pair on a double spread within the book are connected and only together do they invite the viewer to make the connection. Some I think are obvious, some less so but I want the viewer to think about the 2 images together and discover the connection, or perhaps even make their own. It's this pairing that I am exploring, discovering archival images that I can create a story from. This is distinct move from images that stand-up in the own right or a set of different images with a single theme. I've never really thought of a pair of images joining to make a connection and this will work in book form I feel with the double page spread
I have incorporated an element of politics and history within this set of images as I believe many of the incidents I am portraying have a connection directly or indirectly to politics and society. Our elected politicians have responsibility to a degree for the good and the bad things that happen in society and the world in general; of course people themselves have a responsibility. These are all things that I recall which to vary degrees have had an impact on me and how I see society in some cases.
All the images in someway I have all altered, some more than others. All images in my set are copyright free and the content has been released under the Creative Commons CC0.
CC0 enables scientists, educators, artists and other creators and owners of copyright- or database-protected content to waive those interests in their works and thereby place them as completely as possible in the public domain, so that others may freely build upon, enhance and reuse the works for any purposes without restriction under copyright or database law
Further information on Creative Commons can be found here:
https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/
I have selected to present my images in black and white, I want to avoid the distraction of colour and allow what the images contain stand-out simply but directly.
I have created a BookWright Blurb book draft. When I receive my Tutor feedback I will make any required changes, purchase the book and submit as part of my Assessment for this module and update this post with a formal url that I will purchase from Book Wright. For my assignment I will submit to my tutor the PDF that BookWright allows me to produce, though the images are unfortunately of a lower quality which is governed by BookWright. I have posted some sample images here.
I have created a blurb book which I will submit at assessment, the dowload can be found here:
http://www.blurb.com/pdf_book/2151244/download?expires=1534598590&signature=2865ba7eb9fa58618154b3ad3767a9a81727e1a6
Pair 1
Pair 2
Pair 3
Pair 4
Pair 5
Pair 6
Pair 7
Pair 8
Pair 9
Pair 10
Pair 11
Pair 12
Reflections
Wow, I found this assignment very demanding in terms of creativity and planning but my planning was at times undone. I have been pushed outside of my limited Photoshop skill-set knowledge learning much about layers, layer masks, transform, resolutions etc and I feel much more skilled as a result. Foolishly I did not pre-create a blurb book to understand the options regarding the sizes of images per book and that meant a lot of rework of images and much concern on my part to keep the elements of my creations within the confines of smaller and different sizes. This has been a big learning curve but I feel much more knowledgeable and stronger as a result.
Though challenging I have enjoyed this and the assignment has pushed me outside of my comfort zone which I am very pleased about though this has cost me a lot of time in terms of preparing and presenting this assignment to my tutor. It has of course been worth it. Looking back at my results I can possibly see the images as perhaps mixed but I have used my personally feelings with historical activities including news items that have affected me over the years so as a result it is a very personal submission.
I look forward now to further pushing my boundaries and recognise that my Photoshop skills, planning skills and creative thought process need to improve
Tutor Feedback
is in red, my comments to this in green
Feedback on assignment:
Demonstration of technical and Visual Skills, Quality of Outcome, Demonstration of Creativity
In the brief there are obvious links to Projects 1, 2 and 4. You’d want to see this unit material reflected in the assignment somehow, e.g. in your referencing.
We discussed how artists often use found imagery to create new meanings, rather than reiterate existing meanings. For that you’d need to find surprising and unusual pairings that somehow ‘work’. It’s a tricky area and you need to read a bit of semiotics, such as Barthes, to start to get the hang of it. • Some of your pairings are quite strong visually and your HAPPY MEAL image-text piece looks strong. Your texts reinforce the expected meanings of the images, which is how advertising works. Why not play around a bit and use unexpected combinations to see what new meanings might be created? This would be a way to express your personal voice.
Yes this is good suggestion. I am trying to explore different elements, sometimes thinks appear to work out but when assessed may be weaker than expected. During our call discussion you mentioned my work for this assignment was less complex than that of other students. This is good feedback as it positions the bar and suggests I need to improve. Additionally I am sometimes caught between simplicity and complex. Whilst for me the pairings seemed simple and obvious but to others this may not be the case. That said I think the idea of creative pairings does not need to be obvious and the expectation of the viewer to think about the pairings is something that as an artist I would want
From my last report (this is important) – Referencing: please read p13 in the course guide - ‘Referencing Your Reading’.
Yes, thanks for reminding me
Coursework Demonstration of technical and Visual Skills, Demonstration of Creativity
Ex 2.2. You may not like Levine and that’s fine, but It’s crucial that you can evidence your understanding of the ideas under discussion here, such as appropriation. There is plenty of material to read up on in Chapter 2. Research Context, reflective thinking, critical thinking, analysis Fred Ritchin – this is a great start to your course reading. I just ordered a copy on ebay as I haven’t read it yet!
I did enjoy Fred Ritchin, much food for thought in what he writes with good ideas
Learning Log Context, reflective thinking, critical thinking, analysis Some tabs / menus at the top please.
Oh, I believe I have these in my blog.
Ahh, it seems some changes have been made to blogger. In this instance its due to your particular screen display, perform CTRL - (minus sign) will reduce the view to 90% and my left hand tool bar will display. However I have now selected a different theme which I believe avoids this problem
Suggested reading/viewing Context Do develop your reading and research skills Warren, they’re absolutely essentially for this level of study. Research is a bit like going to the gym – the more you do the better you get. Use the course guide please. I’ve also attached the classic essay by Barthes ‘Rhetoric of the Image’ for your interest. Pointers for the next assignment / assessment Please email your title and proposed research before starting the essay
Thanks very much for you valuable feedback
This type of deception can be subtle or unsubtle or perhaps downright obvious but presented simply to make a point. Jeff Wall and his "Sudden Gust of Wind" draws humor and empathy, Peter Kennard with his "Cruise Missile" drawing attention to the deployment of US Cruise missiles in East Anglia, Peter Kennard and Cat Phillips creating a satirical but political image of Tony Blair taking a selfie in front of a blazing Iraq oilfield.
This has inspired to take this a little further using political figures and situations myself to make a political point, to example a topical or historical situation.
In my submission for Exercise 1.3 as part of this course I produced a small set of unsubtle and slightly humorous set of individual images. I would like to further expand upon this initial seed of thought
Creating a minimum of 12 double pages suggests a minimum of 24 images. I think to make this work each double spread should have a connection or joining of sorts so that the book has a minimum of 12 paired images. Each pair on a double spread within the book are connected and only together do they invite the viewer to make the connection. Some I think are obvious, some less so but I want the viewer to think about the 2 images together and discover the connection, or perhaps even make their own. It's this pairing that I am exploring, discovering archival images that I can create a story from. This is distinct move from images that stand-up in the own right or a set of different images with a single theme. I've never really thought of a pair of images joining to make a connection and this will work in book form I feel with the double page spread
I have incorporated an element of politics and history within this set of images as I believe many of the incidents I am portraying have a connection directly or indirectly to politics and society. Our elected politicians have responsibility to a degree for the good and the bad things that happen in society and the world in general; of course people themselves have a responsibility. These are all things that I recall which to vary degrees have had an impact on me and how I see society in some cases.
All the images in someway I have all altered, some more than others. All images in my set are copyright free and the content has been released under the Creative Commons CC0.
CC0 enables scientists, educators, artists and other creators and owners of copyright- or database-protected content to waive those interests in their works and thereby place them as completely as possible in the public domain, so that others may freely build upon, enhance and reuse the works for any purposes without restriction under copyright or database law
Further information on Creative Commons can be found here:
https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/
I have selected to present my images in black and white, I want to avoid the distraction of colour and allow what the images contain stand-out simply but directly.
I have created a BookWright Blurb book draft. When I receive my Tutor feedback I will make any required changes, purchase the book and submit as part of my Assessment for this module and update this post with a formal url that I will purchase from Book Wright. For my assignment I will submit to my tutor the PDF that BookWright allows me to produce, though the images are unfortunately of a lower quality which is governed by BookWright. I have posted some sample images here.
I have created a blurb book which I will submit at assessment, the dowload can be found here:
http://www.blurb.com/pdf_book/
Pair 1
Pair 2
Pair 3
Pair 4
Pair 5
Pair 6
Pair 7
Pair 8
Pair 9
Pair 11
Pair 12
Reflections
Wow, I found this assignment very demanding in terms of creativity and planning but my planning was at times undone. I have been pushed outside of my limited Photoshop skill-set knowledge learning much about layers, layer masks, transform, resolutions etc and I feel much more skilled as a result. Foolishly I did not pre-create a blurb book to understand the options regarding the sizes of images per book and that meant a lot of rework of images and much concern on my part to keep the elements of my creations within the confines of smaller and different sizes. This has been a big learning curve but I feel much more knowledgeable and stronger as a result.
Though challenging I have enjoyed this and the assignment has pushed me outside of my comfort zone which I am very pleased about though this has cost me a lot of time in terms of preparing and presenting this assignment to my tutor. It has of course been worth it. Looking back at my results I can possibly see the images as perhaps mixed but I have used my personally feelings with historical activities including news items that have affected me over the years so as a result it is a very personal submission.
I look forward now to further pushing my boundaries and recognise that my Photoshop skills, planning skills and creative thought process need to improve
Tutor Feedback
is in red, my comments to this in green
Feedback on assignment:
Demonstration of technical and Visual Skills, Quality of Outcome, Demonstration of Creativity
In the brief there are obvious links to Projects 1, 2 and 4. You’d want to see this unit material reflected in the assignment somehow, e.g. in your referencing.
We discussed how artists often use found imagery to create new meanings, rather than reiterate existing meanings. For that you’d need to find surprising and unusual pairings that somehow ‘work’. It’s a tricky area and you need to read a bit of semiotics, such as Barthes, to start to get the hang of it. • Some of your pairings are quite strong visually and your HAPPY MEAL image-text piece looks strong. Your texts reinforce the expected meanings of the images, which is how advertising works. Why not play around a bit and use unexpected combinations to see what new meanings might be created? This would be a way to express your personal voice.
Yes this is good suggestion. I am trying to explore different elements, sometimes thinks appear to work out but when assessed may be weaker than expected. During our call discussion you mentioned my work for this assignment was less complex than that of other students. This is good feedback as it positions the bar and suggests I need to improve. Additionally I am sometimes caught between simplicity and complex. Whilst for me the pairings seemed simple and obvious but to others this may not be the case. That said I think the idea of creative pairings does not need to be obvious and the expectation of the viewer to think about the pairings is something that as an artist I would want
From my last report (this is important) – Referencing: please read p13 in the course guide - ‘Referencing Your Reading’.
Yes, thanks for reminding me
Coursework Demonstration of technical and Visual Skills, Demonstration of Creativity
Ex 2.2. You may not like Levine and that’s fine, but It’s crucial that you can evidence your understanding of the ideas under discussion here, such as appropriation. There is plenty of material to read up on in Chapter 2. Research Context, reflective thinking, critical thinking, analysis Fred Ritchin – this is a great start to your course reading. I just ordered a copy on ebay as I haven’t read it yet!
I did enjoy Fred Ritchin, much food for thought in what he writes with good ideas
Learning Log Context, reflective thinking, critical thinking, analysis Some tabs / menus at the top please.
Oh, I believe I have these in my blog.
Ahh, it seems some changes have been made to blogger. In this instance its due to your particular screen display, perform CTRL - (minus sign) will reduce the view to 90% and my left hand tool bar will display. However I have now selected a different theme which I believe avoids this problem
Suggested reading/viewing Context Do develop your reading and research skills Warren, they’re absolutely essentially for this level of study. Research is a bit like going to the gym – the more you do the better you get. Use the course guide please. I’ve also attached the classic essay by Barthes ‘Rhetoric of the Image’ for your interest. Pointers for the next assignment / assessment Please email your title and proposed research before starting the essay
Thanks very much for you valuable feedback
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