Another review...

http://www.dura-dundee.org.uk/Art/290_APCP.html

Minimal vardos on brick plinths

The idea behind this body of work was to convey the loss of cultural identity. The small scale models of my large traditional vardo are minimal and based on a flat pack, mass-produced concept to establish what our society has become. All of the elaborate decoration has been stripped from these vardos and all that remains is the ghostly shell; the loss of traditions within a culture. The light that flickers within these vardos is the flames of society destroying traditional ways of life.

The bricks represent the loss of freedom the traveling people have believed in and fought for. Also, more widely, it establishes the lack of freedom for any cultural group or individual living within a society. The plinths are very uniform as the models are all the same and the brick layout in neat, however they are all at different heights at random points on the floor. This is, again, to represent a society; people within different social classes, the people in control and the people living below poverty. 

  

Space importance in displaying my work

As the main piece of my show is a film projection I needed a darkened space to show the full extent of the power the film possesses. I wanted the flames to light up the space bringing a sense of warmth and vibrancy to,what is somewhat, a minimal space. I also wanted to create an overwhelming feeling of the lack of control we have over the flames and how we feel a sense of danger whilst surrounded by them.

To create the darkened space, I had to convert what was a very light flooded studio space into a darkened den. Therefore, the walls were painted grey to prevent the light bouncing of the walls and the entrance to the space was made curved to block out light and to also mimic the shape of a gypsy vardo entrance. Canvas was needed as a last minute light block as too much sun was creeping into the space at certain times of the day. I choose canvas over black out material as I believed it would be too harsh a contrast and the canvas was also used in all my other pieces... I believe it is very important whilst putting a show together to make everything link and flow well together.

As a finishing touch to the entrance to the space I placed the three burnt remains of the vardo around the arch way, which could appear to represent one thing before entering the space and another whilst leaving.

DoJ Review

This is a lovely review of the show and I got a wee mention... which is nice!

http://thisiscentralstation.com/featured-blog/duncan-of-jordanstone-‘art-media’-degree-show-2013-review/

Degree Show

I stopped posting for a while due to degree show stress. But there is nothing to worry about now as the grades are in and the show is now open.

I am finally happy with everything in the show and over the moon with my 2.1

For people who cannot attend the show for some reason, check out me and my classmates (APCP) on the degree show website page and here are some photos from the opening night...

http://www.dundee.ac.uk/djcad/degreeshow/workondisplay/apcp/

Thanks for all who came to support me on my big night and thanks to everyone else for there comments and kindness.

The Burn

I was really happy with the way that the object turned out. It is very traditional looking due to the shape, colours and design. The landscape it was set in couldn't have been better, as it was barren, quiet and some what eerie. I chose to begin filming as the day light was beginning to fade as it set the mood right. the misty and some what snowy weather also played to my advantage as it also contributed to the atmoshpere as if something strange or evil was about to take place. I believe that all of these factors contributed to the concept of death within culture and tradition.

 

The fully put together Vardo, ready for the fire in a field that my uncle owns in Cromdale, the Highlands.

 

In the inside of the vardo I created a mini fire pit of fire wood, newspapers and firelighters. The material I hung up was there because my Dad got carried away with being "an artist" and started spray painting a fridge and a television onto the back wall... 

All set up and ready to go, I thought it would be nice to take some final photos of me and my vardo.

Me and Toby. Thanks Tob for helping me with this project, could not have done it without you!

My Dad having a final play

Setting it on fire...

The Vardo went up quickly in an explosion of heat, smoke and flames. In the editing process I feel that this may need to be slowed down so that it is not missed. The way the fire spread from the inside out was like an explosion and was visually impressive.

The End

So now it is off to the editing suit to a challenge with final cut pro to sort through all the footage from three different cameras. In the end I hope to not have to play around with the footage too much and i feel this will be possible as the footage simply speaks for itself. 

The Build

So all sections were carefully measured, cut out, painted and decorated and lifted into the van to make the journey up north for the burn. This was a practice run of us putting it altogether for the first time...

Toby having a wee rest before the hard work starts

Awake and ready to go

All the sections were screwed in place and then the supports were added to hold everything in place.

Me fixing the curtains.

All the supporting sections in place.

The canvas roofing thrown over the top, just to give me an idea for size.

My mum checking out the vardo for size... suits her!

Once we had finished putting it together, we took it straight back down again and loaded it in the van to take it to the burning location.