Exhibition Review - contextual Studies Part 1: Tate Modern Report

Tate Modern-

Energy and process- Level 4 -Room 3 - Arte Povera and Anti-form

Access Free

Fig. 1 Lynda Benglis’ Quartered Meteor

The exhibition within the title Energy and Process consists of several Italian and American artists who worked and produced their artworks during the late 1960's. They have chosen to use materials and forms derived from nature such as wood, felt and stone; the artists concentrated on the sense of movement from organic processes such as gravity, electricity and magnetism. These experiments combining nature and fine art lead them to create a range of three dimensional outcomes differing from the traditional art of the 60’s. (Tate Modern, 2013
http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks?ap=1&wp=1&wv=grid&sid=2338 )

Each artwork is remade for each exhibition it is moved to; therefore each piece slightly changes as it is moved to different locations. This was to create an affect where the artwork itself is reacting to the location and gallery room it is placed in. A strong example of this would be Lynda Benglis’ Quartered Meteor Fig.1 (1969, cast 1975.) "The work was originally made by pouring polyurethane foam into the corner of a gallery", (Tate Modern, plaque on wall 2013) allowing the structure to form in its own way. The waves of the slowly hardening foam creates a texture that is unpredictable in its presence however it was cast in lead in 1975 giving it a sense of weight and existence in the room. 

Fig. 2 Giuseppe Penone's 12 metre tall trees

Upon observing Giuseppe Penone's 12 metre tall trees carved out of planks of wood Fig.2 for the first time, I was tangled in thought into why he had produced the piece; however my reaction and opinion changed whilst exploring the textures and meaning behind it. His work dates from the late 1980's although his trees were made in 1969. Penone looks at the relationship between industry and nature, suggesting that a soft approach is still possible in an industrial world. This is something that interests me as it is very controversial and enlightens many on the surroundings we live in. I feel that the tree is something we try to save; although this wasn't as strong in the case of 1969 when it was created therefore it has different meanings to me than what it did at the time.

Bibliography: 

Museum - Tate modern, Energy and Process Level 4, 30/09/13

Website - http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks?ap=1&wp=1&wv=grid&sid=2338 information viewed on 30/09/13

Museum Plaque/ Book - Tate Modern, Energy and Process Level 4, 2013

Tate modern visit

I wanted to get as much information as possible so I decided to take notes on everything I felt was important and interesting. I also took a lot of photos. These are my notes from the Tate Modern in the Energy and Processes Room on Level 4. I chose this room because it was very interesting to me and I liked the structures and models made in the gallery. The room really stood out for me.

Martin Margiela

Margiela is a Belgium fashion designer. He is known for his low profile within the world and never has his picture taken. His brand was acquired by the diesel brand in 2002. However in industry insiders they suggested that he may leave due to creative differences. There is little information on Margiela because of his low profile desire, although his work is very interesting.

 

Violise Lunn

Dress made out of paper.

Lunn specialises in the design and making of one of a kind pieces of clothing for women. She has travelled to many places around the world bring back fabric in which she crafts her garments out of. The stories around the fabric is what inspires Lunn, she does not focus on trends. Violise Lunn also has a style where she makes unwearable items out of paper. She sculpts the figure using this material leaving a light fragile effect combined with a meaning she has crafted. These garments have turned into collectors items. Her work both represents the past and the future showing a real unique style.   

Sophia Kokoslaki

Kokosalaki is from Greece however she studied in London. She has started her own eponymous label which is based in London. Kokoslaki has received many awards and is often asked to be part of editorial from vogue, Harper's Bazar and W magazines. She was chosen to be one of the designers for the ceremonial outfits for the 2004 summer olympic games. Her trademark style often uses classic Grecian draping combined with hand crafted elements. She uses soft flowing dresses and works with knitwear and leather. 

modern style with draping on dresses.

Issey Miyake

dress feels inspired by chess piece.

He has a focus on the importance of imagination and the development of new technology where he produces clothes based on this. His works are designed to challenge the conventional idea clothes as well as sculpting the clothes around the figure. 

Issey Miyake is an internationally renowned designer who uses his innovative product creation with the idea of helping people's everyday lives. Miyake wanted to enhance the unique factor of his work and keep this throughout his lines valuing thinking that is unconventional taking into "consideration the spirit of creation, curiosity and love as a universal expression. 

I love how weird and unique his ideas are as well as creating thing that challenge the conventions because I also enjoy doing this. Many of his works appear to be unwearable although I feel this is what gives him an edge. 

appears to look like an animal.

(http://www.isseymiyake.com/en/corporate/information.html)

V&A Fashion

London fashion in the 1980's. The V and A is showing more than 85 outfits showcasing the bold looks from the most experimental young designers of the decade which includes Betty Jackson, Katherine Hamnett, Wendy Dagworthy and John Galliano. The Exhibition shows of british fashion from the capitals british club scenes which influenced many designers. It also shows how the catwalk and the club wear started to merge into one. Many venues were popular during this time.

 

Viktor and Rolf

Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren started to work together after they graduated in 1993. Although they have many successful lines they have collaborated with other well known brands such as Samsonite and H&M. Wanting to expand, in 2008 they entered a partnership with Renzo Rosso allowing them to develop new ranges extending distribution. They are very well known for their artistic, concept driven catwalk presentations where they have gained a lot of attention. 

 

Gary Harvey

Gary Harvey is an award winning brand designer, creative director and marketing consultant. His trends are very popular within the fashion industry and he is world famous for his works. He has a style which is strong in results and has a bold sense of the business side of work. He is a leader in many youthful brands and can easily predict the future styles and trends in culture and young people. Many people know of Gary Harvey and most wear his masterpieces everyday. He has a taste for taking something that already exists and turning it into a new idea as something fashionable seen by people with a lot of money. I personally love his work and it is inspirational to see him differ from the other retail designers but keep his business degree of things present. This work ethic has proven to work for Harvey and he has become very successful in the fashion industry. 

Lecture 2: Tine Bech

Fashion: Day 3

Today we had to create our own garment out of paper. My final design has a spiky feel however is softened by the flowers being a part of the piece. I really enjoyed the making of this because I loved being able to get on and make my own garment in which I had previously visualised. I wanted to keep to the design and had to test out different ways to create this out of paper. I kept to contrasting colours to ensure it stood out on the clothes of someone.

After making the garment I was to photograph it on different levels of Ravensbourne inspiring with different poses and backgrounds. I took the images with only my phone, no flash. 

simple shot against white background.

exploring angles and zoom level.

exploring angles

I love the contrast of the windows in the background

exploring shadow

different angle with shadow

Love the two shadows behind model.

wanted to give a sense of power using height.

perspective look. Books very contrasting

another perspective look

involving props

soft sad feel to the garment use of soft natural lighting

contrast is key

Fashion: Day 2

Today we focused on the 5 objects that we made yesterday. The objects were then taken and we were to make these into garments etc on figures from magazines. The garments were meant to challenge the conventions of the human form and take it away from 2D into 3D. I really enjoyed this, it gave me freedom to create many different garments using different techniques. I photocopied my objects from yesterday and used the pattern to create all different designs. I created 5 different figures, all ranging in design and ideas. 

My favourite piece is the top left; I tried to take the curve of the human form and contrast this with sharp triangular shapes. I photocopied one of the shapes I created yesterday but kept it in black and white to make sure the colours blended with the original dress. I wanted to then build on the shapes and make it three dimensional. I used masking tape to increase the height of the newspaper triangles but felt it needed more. I folded the paper to create a fan like shape out of newspaper which made it stand out against the rest. My least favourite is the bottom middle. This is because I feel it is the least developed piece. If I was to continue and improve this I could make it more three dimensional because it is very flat in appearance although the photocopy is very realistic. I would also increase the amount of colour and use a contrast to the image. 

 

After completing my 5 designs I went onto use illustration and explore a certain part of the human form. I decided to explore shoulders and the collar. I felt that this was my strongest point and I wanted to expand on this. I started to experiment into spikes and then one shoulder designs. I felt this was something I could explore further and took it into deciding whether to use softer or sharp edges to my design. 

I decided that the design I was most happy with was the sharp edge and so I went onto create a larger form of this. I wanted it to be bold and only on one shoulder to show how different I could be from normal ideas. I took inspiration from my previous ideas and made the shoulder pad very three dimensional. However I wanted the other shoulder to be bold and simple therefore I used a plain black pad which made it appear more square. 

After completing this I then started to draw and design a certain garment. I decided to focus on the shoulder and create a piece that aspired from my previous designs. My quick sketched quickly brought ideas to mind and this enhanced my final outcome. 

Later at home I finalised the design and combined my ideas to create a final outcome to be made tomorrow. I liked the way you could use geometric shapes yet keep it soft with what you created. I therefore decided that I wanted to use the flower design I had created yesterday, to create a soft yet powerful design. Colour was also a key element I wanted to use to make my garment stand out. I used contrasting colours alongside the spiky elements of the garment. 

Overall, I enjoyed designing and being creative today. It brought out a side that I didn't expect to enjoy from fashion. Tomorrow I will make the garment and I feel that my design will be sufficient to aid me in the creation process.