A Branch Unexplored
Individually ~ 15x15 cm
Mixed Media Collage
Individually ~ 15x15 cm
Mixed Media Collage
Exhibition Text
A Branch Unexplored is a mixed media collage series exploring the unreliability of childhood memories over time. This theme was displayed by the removal and editing of the figures in the original images. Old materials were used to create a vintage aesthetic that was able to show the decay of old memories. The collages were inspired by the work of the design studio DR.ME, they are known for surreal collage work.
A Branch Unexplored is a mixed media collage series exploring the unreliability of childhood memories over time. This theme was displayed by the removal and editing of the figures in the original images. Old materials were used to create a vintage aesthetic that was able to show the decay of old memories. The collages were inspired by the work of the design studio DR.ME, they are known for surreal collage work.
DR.ME: 365 Days of Collage
Images gathered from https://elephant.art/dr-me-on-365-days-of-collage/
Images gathered from https://elephant.art/dr-me-on-365-days-of-collage/
Inspiration
The inspiration for this piece came from DR.ME, a Manchester based design studio comprised of artists Mark Edwards and Ryan Doyle. They started working together in design school and decided to open their own studio after college. I was most inspired by their series in which they created one collage every single day. The most influential pieces from this series were two untitled collages, the first featuring the silhouette of a child and the second displays a staircase with the middle section cut out. The removal and subsequent replacement of certain images in these collages creates a very surreal look to them, this is something that I attempted to recreate in my own work. In my first collage I removed the female figure and then replaced her with an old piece of paper and copper tape. My second collage featured the removal of the original background which was replaced by an image of a soccer net, similar to the DR.ME collage in which the background of a staircase is removed and replaced by a picture of a city.
I was also inspired by an article from NPR on why early memories decay. This article goes in depth about something known as childhood amnesia, which is meant to explain why most people can't remember things from their first few years of life. This idea was displayed in my artwork by the removal of figures and backgrounds. This was meant to show how memories will become hazy and not every detail of a memory will be retained over time.
The inspiration for this piece came from DR.ME, a Manchester based design studio comprised of artists Mark Edwards and Ryan Doyle. They started working together in design school and decided to open their own studio after college. I was most inspired by their series in which they created one collage every single day. The most influential pieces from this series were two untitled collages, the first featuring the silhouette of a child and the second displays a staircase with the middle section cut out. The removal and subsequent replacement of certain images in these collages creates a very surreal look to them, this is something that I attempted to recreate in my own work. In my first collage I removed the female figure and then replaced her with an old piece of paper and copper tape. My second collage featured the removal of the original background which was replaced by an image of a soccer net, similar to the DR.ME collage in which the background of a staircase is removed and replaced by a picture of a city.
I was also inspired by an article from NPR on why early memories decay. This article goes in depth about something known as childhood amnesia, which is meant to explain why most people can't remember things from their first few years of life. This idea was displayed in my artwork by the removal of figures and backgrounds. This was meant to show how memories will become hazy and not every detail of a memory will be retained over time.
Process
Planning
Before beginning the creation of each piece I did some basic planning. This did not consist of sketching anything out, instead I found about 10 images with people in them that I wanted to use for the creation of the collages. I then took these images and placed different materials and over them to get an idea of how I should go about creating the pieces and how they should look when completed.
Planning
Before beginning the creation of each piece I did some basic planning. This did not consist of sketching anything out, instead I found about 10 images with people in them that I wanted to use for the creation of the collages. I then took these images and placed different materials and over them to get an idea of how I should go about creating the pieces and how they should look when completed.
Collage 1: A Branch Unexplored
To create this piece I started by finding an image with a figure as the central focus. I then removed the figure from the image and was left with the just the outline. I then used old masking tape to tape this image to a 6x6in piece of paper. I then began experimenting with what was to be placed under the figure. I was initially going to let the figure be entirely made out of copper tape but I found that it was more visually appealing to create a disconnect between the head and body where the field of flowers ended. This was achieved using an old receipt found in an antique store. When I was sure about the composition I began to tape over the edges. The words 'A Branch Unexplored' were found in an old book and were added by simply taping over them with masking tape, the tape ended up being thin enough that the words are clearly visible.
To create this piece I started by finding an image with a figure as the central focus. I then removed the figure from the image and was left with the just the outline. I then used old masking tape to tape this image to a 6x6in piece of paper. I then began experimenting with what was to be placed under the figure. I was initially going to let the figure be entirely made out of copper tape but I found that it was more visually appealing to create a disconnect between the head and body where the field of flowers ended. This was achieved using an old receipt found in an antique store. When I was sure about the composition I began to tape over the edges. The words 'A Branch Unexplored' were found in an old book and were added by simply taping over them with masking tape, the tape ended up being thin enough that the words are clearly visible.
Collage 2
For this collage I started exactly the same way I did with the first, I found an image with some figures in it and cut the face out of it. I then cut out the window frames and added an image of a soccer net to the background. I added the soccer net because I found the visual of a soccer net To create the grid over the top I took a piece of gauze and stretched it out around the image and taped it there. I then gessoed over any spot that displayed the lower figure. This created a hazy effect
For this collage I started exactly the same way I did with the first, I found an image with some figures in it and cut the face out of it. I then cut out the window frames and added an image of a soccer net to the background. I added the soccer net because I found the visual of a soccer net To create the grid over the top I took a piece of gauze and stretched it out around the image and taped it there. I then gessoed over any spot that displayed the lower figure. This created a hazy effect
Experimentation
This project was pretty much all experimentation, I didn't have any initial plans (other than some inspiration and a theme) so the piece was created purely by experimenting with the materials I had. The idea to use old masking tape was one example of this experimentation, I was initially just going to glue the images together but I found that by using masking tape it made the piece look old and worn which was something I hoped to do. Placing gesso over the lower figure in the second collage was another example of experimentation, I was just going to place the strip of gauze over the collage to cover the figure but I found that it didn't quite cover like I wanted it to. I found that by applying a small amount of gesso over the figure and then placing the gauze over that created a hazy effect that was visually intriguing.
This project was pretty much all experimentation, I didn't have any initial plans (other than some inspiration and a theme) so the piece was created purely by experimenting with the materials I had. The idea to use old masking tape was one example of this experimentation, I was initially just going to glue the images together but I found that by using masking tape it made the piece look old and worn which was something I hoped to do. Placing gesso over the lower figure in the second collage was another example of experimentation, I was just going to place the strip of gauze over the collage to cover the figure but I found that it didn't quite cover like I wanted it to. I found that by applying a small amount of gesso over the figure and then placing the gauze over that created a hazy effect that was visually intriguing.
Critique
Reflection
I'm conflicted about how to feel about these pieces. I believe that they are visually appealing and look old and worn. My theme of childhood memory degradation was also fairly easy to find so that was another success. Although there were these successes I still think that there are some fundamental flaws to them that need to be addressed. One of the most obvious flaws (to me) is the fact that they look unfinished. These pieces might been more successful had I added more tape to the edges of them. I also should have probably added more visual elements to them, to me they seem sort of barren and I'm not sure that I transformed the images to the greatest extent that I could have.
I'm conflicted about how to feel about these pieces. I believe that they are visually appealing and look old and worn. My theme of childhood memory degradation was also fairly easy to find so that was another success. Although there were these successes I still think that there are some fundamental flaws to them that need to be addressed. One of the most obvious flaws (to me) is the fact that they look unfinished. These pieces might been more successful had I added more tape to the edges of them. I also should have probably added more visual elements to them, to me they seem sort of barren and I'm not sure that I transformed the images to the greatest extent that I could have.
ACT Questions
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
My inspiration created surreal collages by removing figures/parts of images and replacing them, I did this in both collages.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author on the article regarding the fading of memory used statistics as well as individual stories to investigate the issue.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I found that most people assume that early memories fade because the brain isn't fully developed when in these memories actually fade for other reasons.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?.
My central idea was the fading of memory over time and how most childhood memories will disappear in time.
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork?
My inspiration created surreal collages by removing figures/parts of images and replacing them, I did this in both collages.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The author on the article regarding the fading of memory used statistics as well as individual stories to investigate the issue.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I found that most people assume that early memories fade because the brain isn't fully developed when in these memories actually fade for other reasons.
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?.
My central idea was the fading of memory over time and how most childhood memories will disappear in time.
References
Hamilton, Jon. “The Forgotten Childhood: Why Early Memories Fade.” NPR, NPR, 8 Apr. 2014, www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/04/08/299189442/the-forgotten-childhood-why-early-memories-fade.
“DR.ME on 365 Days of Collage.” ELEPHANT, 18 Sept. 2017, elephant.art/dr-me-on-365-days-of-collage/.
Hamilton, Jon. “The Forgotten Childhood: Why Early Memories Fade.” NPR, NPR, 8 Apr. 2014, www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/04/08/299189442/the-forgotten-childhood-why-early-memories-fade.
“DR.ME on 365 Days of Collage.” ELEPHANT, 18 Sept. 2017, elephant.art/dr-me-on-365-days-of-collage/.