For the last month I've been focusing most of my energy towards creating simple animations using Photoshop and Final Cut Pro. However, these are very large files and I'm having difficulty uploading them. Therefore, I am only going to be able to share one of these animations with you and it's not even my favourite. This was the only one that was small enough to upload on Vimeo without paying for an upgraded account. Check out the animation below!
P.S. this animation is meant to be played on a constant loop.
A couple of weeks ago I installed my installation project titled "Strokes, Strokes, Strokes" which is a hanging paper piece created with brush and india ink. The installation is not complete without the sound recording of brushstrokes played at various speeds and rhythms. The slower parts are calm and meditative, while the faster parts are aggressive and emphasize the obsessive repetitive process.
After having critiques for both projects shown above, I took some time away from the studio to process the feedback and comments from my committee. It's a constant challenge and dilemma to try and decide how much to listen to the committee and how much do I go with my gut and keep doing what I'm doing. These soul searching moments are where I usually come up with the strangest ideas and for a short time I was going off the rails a bit.
However, after thinking about all of the research I've been doing this past year or so, I think I've finally figured out the main focus of my thesis work. My thesis work has been an exploration and investigation of the relationship between the artist and computer. The computer, just like a paintbrush, pencil, pen, etc. is a tool, which mediates the process of creation between artist and artwork. In this sense, I often think that I never truly have complete control over the creative process since I must always use these different tools. Whichever tool I use, it becomes an extension of my intentions and ideas and does it's best to interpret or translate these thoughts into a work of art.
Stemming from this idea of the computer as a tool, that I cannot entirely control, I've been trying to create works in which I allow the computer to control more and more of the process. I am obsessed with control, so you can imagine that this has not been an easy task. I created a series of three works in which I wrote a list of instructions with 20 steps each and in the end I would have a work of art whose final image would be a complete surprise. Check out the images below to see the results.
