Subject Exploration: Animation part 2

Planning: First draft of storyboard

Planning: Final ideas for outcome

As first initial ideas for a final outcome I created a storyboard with a story of an anonymous character looking through their photo album in which they are then pulled into an old photo enabling them to re-live the time in which the photo takes place. So in theory they are travelling back into the past enabling them to be with family members who may not be alive in the characters current life. A member of the time travelling characters family in the present time calls out for this character upon hearing no answer the this character walks away. As they walk away this time travelling character is pulled back out of the photo album. I had thought this would be a good concept for a short animation, this also linked in well with the future memories aspect, as well as being a warm-hearted short. Upon hearing this animation idea of mine, it was chosen by the group to be worked on and adapted for a final outcome. As the group and I discussed this animation many ideas where thought of before ideas of perhaps making the animation more comedic - which resulted in a Tom and Jerry concept a main protagonist of a fly and antagonist of a cat. We had decided in creating the animation we would be using the style of stop motion animation, we would sketch the majority of the props to give a sketch like effect running through out the animation. The overall idea was something we where all pleased about and excited with the challenge ahead.

Subject Exploration: Animation part 1

As a group task we were given the task of creating an animation representing something which represents a part of this year 2013. The task was to create an on going sequence of sketches coming together to form one another which would be continued on to transition into another drawing created by another group member. This task enabled us to build skills in animating frames as well as working with transitions. I had the challenge of turning my own sketch of a Playstation logo - I had chosen this as the new Playstation 4 will be released this year which will become a hyped craze, into a Coca Cola bottle. I had created my indiviual task of creating this within 13 sketches  for the transition I thought of the concept of having the Playstation logo morph into a twisted swirl going from the right direction, to the left. Once this swirling tasks place it will slowly begin turning into a coca cola bottle, slight details of the bottle begin being seen as the shape forms. After the group completed there sketches of there own we had used a program iStop Motion to capture the images of our sketches within the frames and the resulted outcome of our animation is below. 

Future Memories and the Alchemy of Animation

As an introduction into animation we were shown various animations by inspiring artists, a piece which caught my attention was titled Dimensions of dialog by Jan Svankmajer. This animation was brilliant, as it was though you where able to see evolution evolving. Although there were no words being spoken the sounds within the objects moving, or music played within the background completed the piece. No narration was needed as by listening to the sound, this enabled me to understand the concept of what was being portrayed. Another animation which intrigued me was Procrastination by Johnny Kelly, I could relate to this animation in so many ways which is the reason I found it both humorous and brilliant all together. As the piece was simple and not complicated, the simplicity made it that more visually pleasing, less is more. The transitions between each scene was cleverly done, each scene flowed into the next becoming part of each other. For the purpose of carrying out a group task in creating a final 30 second animation, I was assigned a group to be working with through out this stage. We had then practised sketching and creating storyboards of animations, working together in making group decisions in preparation for the final outcome. I was rather excited to be carrying out this task of creating an Animation as I have previously worked in animation before but not in the way of drawing by hand, only through working with software.

Subject Exploration: Final Outcomes

These images are my final outcomes which I felt where the most effective and best upon my other images. I felt they portrayed the most emotion within the images, emotions of anger, hatred and also pain. The first image had an almost clear representation of raw emotions whereas the second image has an almost anonymous feel as you're not able to clear see what is felt through the model. Although you can not see clearly the facial expression like the first image you're able to see the body language which can portray different meaning of representations. The image can perhaps show the character about to lash out and attack, or could the hands be gesturing a sign of confusion of mixed thoughts, about to be placed either side of his head - trying to shake out and erase unwanted thoughts. The first image can be portrayed differently to the second image as you can see the facial expressions. You're able to see the tense strain of the throat leading its way to the shaken face of the model. The emotions can be perceived as both pain and distress or as anger and hatred as the message in this image is not clear - you never actually know what the model is clearly trying to represent. 

Subject Exploration: Test prints 6X

I had chosen to create 6X test prints with images I had captured in my second shoot, reason being as I felt they would be the most effective with various outcomes. I had also decided upon creating these test prints 2 of these images would be used as my final outcomes. 

I had selected a range of images and began manipulating them by using photoshop. I began with cropping each photo to the correct size and angle to my liking and this was key in making the image come across as certain way. I had adjusted the brightness and contrasts levels to create the right lighting tones and balance for each image. Using filters I experimented with overlaying a few images with scratched, old vintage images. This created the sense of thinking back to fearful tainted memories in the mind, distorted and broken thoughts which I felt was shown through and contrasted even more so along with the blurred, shaking motions. 

Subject Exploration: Photography part 2

In continuing the exploration in memories I had carried out a second photo shoot to capture the expression within facial emotions and body language when thinking of memories in the past and present. The idea of the blurred concept was inspired by artist Francesca Woodman, with her pieces titled Space². I had chosen to use the blurred motion to create my own version with a concept of interpreting a sense of despair, or fear of re-living tainted memories resulting in trying to blur them out, creating a sense of erasing them. I felt this linked well with the memories aspect as everyone has certain memories or moments they wish to forget, so I wanted to interpret and create my own thoughts of a way to forget.

 

Space² by Francesca Woodman (1975)

Space² by Francesca Woodman (1975)

Below are a range of images I had chosen capturing them with a range of shutter speed as I was experimenting the various outcomes I could create. I wanted to ensure I had a good range of natural light so I positioned the shoot near a window in which I would have the right source of light. I had captured the images in black and white again as this style of image is my favourite and I feel it represents the aged appearance for memories as well as contrasting well with the blurred motion. I was able to capture these images with a nice flowing consistency by using a tripod which gave me the perfect outcome I wanted within these photos. I felt that the concept of trying to erase and forget certain memories is something which many can relate to. I had used my parents as the models within these as I wanted them to reflect there emotional response to their thoughts of their own harsh memories which I think they portrayed well. 

Future Memories and the Art of Photography

In exploring subject of memories I had thought of an idea of re-living, altering memories within a photo album. The idea was inspired by The Butterfly Effect (2004) a favourite of mine. This aspect of the film is about memories, when reading hand written journals this causes you to travel back in time, allowing past memories to be altered which results in altercations in the future ones. I felt this linked within future memories well. I had chosen to use an old photo album which is a prized possession of mine, something which represents my childhood and countless memories I would go back in time to experience again and again.

These are a selection of images I have chosen which have been captured using a low shutter speed with an F stop also low enabling the lens to absorb as much natural light as possible. I had set up the shoot in a space with a window behind reflecting the just right amount of light. I chosen to capture the images in black and white as a-pose to colour, reason being is this would create a sense of an old, vintage appearance within images. I wanted to ensure I captured the pages flickering by in a blurred motion as if the images are intertwining within each other as this created the effect of travelling, re-experiencing those moments. I have my hands appearing in a few of the images which created the portrayal of myself looking through the photo album, these varied in which a few images look as though the camera lens is positioned as my eyes. I photographed the images from a constant position in which I only moved the photo album around, this gave that consistency in the images that I wanted. 

Below are stills from The Butterfly Effect of scenes when the main character is reading over the memories in his journal, causing a shaken and blurred motion of the words as he is about to travel into the past to re-live the memory. 

1. The Butterfly Effect (2004)

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These images are my own interpretations of the inspired scenes, I had captured them slightly different in my own way.

Experimentations using light

I had taken these images during an experimental session working with different forms of light. These images where creating by lowering the shutter speed which enabled the camera to capture the speed and movement in both images. 

The light sources in these images are different the first image was taken underground in which the lighting was captured from ceiling lights which where quite dim and not as bright. This enabled my camera to capture to create a distorted almost disappearing effect of a pedestrian walking by. The lighting in the second image is of natural light drawn in from the window which is bouncing off the top of the escalator handrail into the lens. The slow shutter speed has captured the speed of the handrail moving down, as well as the light reflections appearing.

These images caught my attention most as in the first image I am intrigued at how the shutter speed and lighting contrasted together to create an appearance looking as though the pedestrian is made of sand and is being blown away by wind. The second image was one caught from an interesting angle as what the subject is doesn't come to mind from looking instantly at the photograph. I find the light appearing brightly through the back windows being the main aspect which draws in attention, and then the light flickers work downwards following the handrail which represents the speed travelling.

The use of light can enhance an atmosphere in many ways being in an positive or negative influence. A challenge was given in a group task to use an object to create a 'seductive, sexy' appearance using light. The object used was an egg, and in carrying outcome I had taken this image representing interpretations of this look. The light source was drawn from two points, underneath and from frontwards. The light from the front was blocked from behind which created the darker shadow contrasting with the lighting from beneath this created the 'seductive and sexy' persona. 

Timeline, Reflection and Selection

This is a time line of memories which took place through out this week, I had decided to sketch the events which where most key in my mind. The positioning and layout of the timeline reflect how I emotionally began neutral in between not feeling too confident nor feeling fear. As the week progressed I felt worry in struggling with the concept of change. Although as time went on I began to rise slightly in confidence and come to terms with change as it will happen and one must deal with them in a productive way, resulting in how I am currently feeling. These illustrations are of sculptures I had seen at exhibitions, and they reflect my fall and also the rise. The mechanic cogs within the arrows represent my mind learning and exploring new experiences and having an open mind whilst being on this journey. In critics of my work I had both positive and negative feedback on this piece, a negative would be not clearly understand the piece without being told the reasons behind this. Positive feedback would be how interesting and creative this work is once explained.

Review on Poetry and dream beyond surrealism

Review on Poetry and dream beyond surrealism

Fig. 1 Profile of Tate Modern. (Author's own
September, 2013)

The exhibition this review is based on is poetry and dream beyond surrealism, this was located on level 2 featuring artists exploring their art of the irrational and the unconscious, stretching far beyond the confines of André Breton original group.

The theme through out the exhibition was beyond surrealism, which had been curated by Matthew Gale. Many reasons due to the exhibition taking place are that artists showcase their own explorations and interpretations of their work. The wider diffusion of surrealist themes taking place is growing awareness and insights by theories; an example of this would be the impact and shadow of the Second World War during the 1940s and 1950s.

This leads on to how Poetry and Dream beyond surrealism is a retrospective based on influences and art within certain artists.

The range of artwork is not laid out chronologically as the work has been positioned in various places, which reflects and enhances the portrayal of the crazed surrealism appearance.

An immediate reaction to seeing this exhibition was how intrigued and deep the artwork was emotionally. Surrealism is a form of art that has personally been an interest as I have created my own interpretations in the past. This enables an understanding as the mind can create deep pieces based upon surroundings and psychological feelings being a big influence and inspiration.

Fig. 2 Sleeping Venus by Paul Delvaux. (Delvaux, 1945)

Countless feelings are drawn from the art pieces especially a piece of art created by Paul Delvaux titled Sleeping Venus, 1945. This was something that both physically and psychologically creates a series of emotions such as pain and distress. In looking at this it is as though many dramatic events are taking place, I am able to feel messages of anguish and distraught by the weeping woman as well as the calm of the woman laying and floating bodies within the mountains. This piece has many signs, which are based on interpretations of the body language and facial expressions. These are feelings of raw emotions, and a sense of drama created by the atmosphere and both colouring and lighting contrasting together giving an understandable relation to the deepness being portrayed. 

It’s key to have an open mind when viewing artwork as your mind is able to interpret and have an understanding on a physical and psychological level. The work relates as a practioner in a way that you are able to connect with emotions psychologically and physically which influence creativity. There is a connection of surrealism as an interest of mine as it is art being created in wild mysterious ways, portraying messages of emotions and thoughts in a positive or negative aspect. I am inspired by this work as it is amazing, and I would work to create a response due to the portrayal of mixed messages and how effective the pieces are.  

Bibliography

Tate Modern. Bankside, London. 12^th September 2013

Figure 1. Profile of Tate Modern. Authors own photography. September 2013…...........................................................................................................................1

Figure 2. Sleeping Venus by Paul Delvaux (Delvaux, 1945)…...................................................................................................................................1

Time Capsule

For the burial of my time capsule I had decided to document the burial in the form of creating a short film. The decision to carry out the burial in this way was for various reasons, I felt it would be more personal to film and watch over the experience as though I am re-living it. Another reason is I was experimenting in film an area which I am not too familiar with, I am pleased with the outcome. In terms of editing the footage I had thought of a concept to rewind the film as though it's a memory flickering through my mind of the experience. The film begins at the end and at high speeds rewinds back to the start and as this is happening the footage playing chronologically positioned through out over lapping the film in various places. This creates a sense of mixed memories of the burial going over itself as thoughts in my mind. 

V&A Museum Memory Palace

During the visit to the V&A exhibition, Memory Palace caught my attention which was Hari Kunzru's story of a futuristic London narrated by a man in prison who has the ancient 'art of memory'. 

This exhibition was one that honestly amazed me, the concept of a future in which the policy for generations is not to remember any memories from the past. Thoughts that came to mind through out were how emotionally draining a corrupted world diminished by any form of creativity and memories torn away, banned. 

The illustrations created within this exhibition intrigued me as it was inspiring to see, misunderstood, flickers of what was thought past. One piece of artwork which stood out most was of a broken city which read 'My fellow Londoners, can't you see how we are diminished?' (Kunzru, 2013)  I found this a brilliant representation of how ruined and dead the world, London has now become.

The Design Museum: The Future Is here

The Future is Here A New Industrial Revolution was the exhibition shown at the Design Museum which amazed me as we are living in a world which is surrounded by technology evolving rapidly in the way every day objects are made, designed which affects commerce industries and our own lives. 

RepRap desktop 3D printer 

Through out the exhibition I was stunned at the growth of technology over time, upon entering the exhibition I had seen a time line of technology being discovered such as the first telephone being created to the birth of modern computing. Whilst viewing the exhibition I was starting to think with technology such as 3D printers and Robotics digital production would be heavily effected. Would I need to visit retail shops anymore if 3D printers created clothing or personalised items constantly, manufacturing industries would be heavily effected with the use of Robotics, I could visualise a world literally without jobs as the use of Robotics would result in the non-use of humans working machinery. I admit I was slightly afraid of what the future holds yet still amazed.

Robotic worker arm

What caught my attention most was Robotics, I was able to see a Robotic worker arm in action repeatedly carrying out the task of placing wooden slabs on top of one another with such accuracy and simplicity in a quick pace. It is known that robots are commonly used in manufacturing as worker robots, just witnessing this being carried out with my own eyes amazed me. Another form of robotics was designed by Dirk Vander Kooij in which he created an automated process of a robot creating a range of furniture using plastic pellets from a recycled refrigerator. This is a process titled The Endless Process in which an object is created by a single continuous strand of plastic. I thought this was mind blowing as this is something which can create furniture without any form of human interaction.  

The Endless Process

1. Chubby chair
2. Flow Open rocking chair

Design Visuals

This is a sketch of the visuals of recorded images for the time capsule I will bury on a set date. I have merged all the objects of pieces together as this is my interpretation of memories in my mind from both past and present events during my life. They all have significant meaning which I feel creates the one representation that even though each object occurred at different stages both past and present they make up pieces of me and my life, they all have equal importance. 

Past and Present: 10th

10th item from my present: T-shirt representing America

My final item is this New York t-shirt, New York is one place in America I'd like to visit as well as countless others. I want to move there in the future, as this is something I've wanted this for awhile now and I hope to do so when the time is right for me.  I aim to work my way travelling around there as well as finally choosing a location and settling down.

Past and Present: 9th

9th item from my present: Venetian mask

I bought this mask whilst on holiday this year in Venice, it means so much as Venice has been somewhere I've always wanted to go. It fulfilled my expectations of what and how I thought Venice would be, amazing. It also reflects my entire holiday I had, just by seeing this item it makes me think back to the entire experience I had this year.

Past and Present: 8th

8th item from my present: A photo of my puppy

A photo of my puppy Harley, I waited 10 years before my parents allowed me to get a dog. I constantly went on about getting one for half of my life. This is evidence that if you want something and actually pursue it you can get it, and I never gave up until I got him. This is the reason for putting an image of puppy, so I can look back and remember if you pursue something you can achieve it.

Past and Present: 7th

7th item from my past: An autograph book

This item ment a lot to me as it we went to Disneyland Florida in January 2000 when I was a child, I celebrated my birthday whilst I was there. It was amazing as because it was the year 2000 much more was going on like constant firework displays and celebrations. It was amazing to experience and also meet child hood heroes and favourite disney characters. Still to date definitely a favourite holiday of mine. 

Past and Present: 6th

6th item from my past: A bracelet 

This item is one of many bracelets I have from Turkey. This bracelet reminds me of every holiday I've been to in Turkey as its somewhere my family and I go on holiday a lot. Especially when I was younger every time we would visit I would get one, it became in some way a little tradition. As I got older I stopped collecting them but when I look at all the bracelets I have it brings great memories.

Past and Present: 5th

5th item from my past: A drawing

This drawing is one of many I did when I was young, collecting Simpsons comics was a hobby as well as always drawing stories within the comic books. When I used to do these I pictured myself doing animation when I was older, this was the career I wanted when I was a child.

Past and Present: 4th

4th item from my past: A keyring

This keyring was important as it was given to me from an older cousin. We were both very close and I looked up to her since she was older. My cousin had given me this keyring as I liked it so much and its like a protector as this keyring is known in English as the evil eye. In Turkish its known as nazar boncuğu which is believed to ward away bad luck or any evil spirits. It meant so much that she had given something important like this to me and I'll always remember that.

Past and Present: 3rd

3rd item from my past: A medal

This medal is something I was very proud of in primary school, I used to race every year from year 1 till 6 and continued in secondary school for a little while. I was lucky enough to win many 1st place medals and this is one from my collection. I had considered a career in athletics as I enjoy it so much but as I got older I grew out of both running and the idea for a career init. It's still a great memory as it was amazing to achieve what I did in the sport.

Past and Present: 2nd

2nd item from my past: A photograph

This image is a very old photo from when I was about 4 or 5, its has many family members as well as family friends in it. It means so much to me as my Granddad and Uncle Johnny are featured init and they are no longer here. I was very close with them both especially my Granddad who is sitting with me in the photo. He past away when I was very young and it effected me quite a lot, when looking at this image I feel both sad and happy. Sad he wasn't here to see the family grow and experience certain family moments, but happy at the memories we did have with him.

Past and Present: 1st

1st item from my past: A letter

This letter was written for me from my younger brother as a child. It was the first time he had ever written a letter as he was going on a school trip for a week. He had written how I shouldn't let other people put me down as I had trouble in school at the time. My brother was only young, and the letter meant so much too me as we were close, and the fact he had taken the time to write this. It was also unexpected, I happen to find the note when I came home from school, read it and cried.

    

Past Memories, Present Day and Future aspirations.

I have thought thoroughly about the 10 photos of the items I will be placing in the time capsule. These items all have significant meaning and history behind them. They are the following images - A letter, bracelet  illustration, autograph book, medal, key ring, two photographs, mask, New York Statue of Liberty T-shirt. I both considered and planned the location the capsule will be buried, it will be in the back of the garden of my home on the date 4th September 2013. This location is important to me as it's where I have been raised my entire life. Gained both happy and sad memories, as well as learnt right from wrong. I will be carrying out the burial in the late afternoon as the memories will be represented as though I am putting them to rest for awhile. In which when I open the capsule I will be awakening the memories again. The burial will be documented in a short film. I feel it would be quite personal and enjoyable to relive the moments of carrying out the time capsule.