Reflective Statement

 Reflective Statement 

Action Stations

Tactile Transformations

I often choose to work with objects that I have made, opposed to found objects. In doing this I am able to approach the objects with greater sensitivity and inform the viewer through a stronger connection to the hand. Originally I began making these coiled baskets for a textiles exhibition that will be taking place at the Women’s and Children’s hospital in November. I wanted to create pieces that would have a positive engagement with the location and the people viewing it. These baskets are fun, playful & draw upon the therapeutic nature, which textiles are often associated with.  By creating these objects by hand I can ensure that each piece is unique. Different coiling methods, colours, shapes and sizes, have been used and they can form a group or stand on their own.  

The piece is presented as sculpture and installation, where the baskets become sculptural forms and the film becomes an installation.  These two pieces work in relationship with one another, to create two visual representations, one which is tangible and tactile and the other, which is visually engaging. My final piece developed quite organically, I started off by moving the objects by hand. I noticed little movements, which I found intriguing, for example when the basket was placed onto a flat surface it wobbled. I decided that the objects were more interesting when they weren't reliant on the maker and through careful editing I was able to remove any obvious relationship to the human hand. At the beginning of the film you can see the baskets coming into motion, this symbolises that they have broken free from their static and material state to become, living beings that have their own identity. I am drawn to slow and repetitive processes, which allow me to form a close relationship with each piece. The methodology behind this piece is that the effort I put into making each basket, allows them to transcend their own sense of energy. The subtle use of sound further animates them. You can hear them wobbling, scampering playing & communicating with one another.

I think that the main strength of this piece is the objects themselves and how they unexpectedly portray a sense of movement and energy. Prior to this assignment I had very limited knowledge of filming and video editing, so that was a big challenge for me. I also ran into countless technical issues, sometimes editing a video four times because the file was deleted, corrupted etc.  Had things progressed more smoothly, I think I would have been able to spend more time on the execution of the film. Despite these obstacles, I have gained many new skills which I hope to develop in the future.